John Mayer steps up to the mic for Jessica

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

Jessica Simpson has taken her fair share of grief from the people of Texas for distracting Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo during the playoffs, but an unlikely person has stepped in to defend Simpson.

Ex-boyfriend John Mayer posted the following on his blog:

“Dear Dallas and Surrounding Areas, I have never known anyone to have more pride in their home state and their upbringing in it than Jessica Simpson has in Texas … It’s one of her most defining traits as a person. So please don’t try and take that away from her. (You probably wouldn’t be able to, but it’s less work for all involved.)

“I just thought it would mean something coming from the guy who has the absolute least to gain from this. And if I’m out of line in having written it, too bad. I can spare a Wednesday’s worth of bad press if it means sticking up for a good soul.”

I take back anything snarky I’ve ever said about John Mayer, his stand-up comedy or his dating patterns. Classy move.

Is she or isn’t she?
Here’s a rumor that will wake you up — or cause you to swear off celebrity news forever: Britney Spears might be pregnant. Paparazzi caught Spears perusing pregnancy tests Jan. 13 at an L.A.-area Rite Aid.

Slideshow   Celebrity sightings   Paul McCartney performs in London, Lady Gaga performs in Los Angeles, Mary J. Blige signs her new CD in New York and more. more photos

The photos were snapped shortly after Spears left the L.A. country courthouse where her custody hearing was taking place. Also present in the photos was her companion Adnan Ghalib (his photo agency sold the pics, natch).

“Nothing surprises anyone in that family anymore,” said one person who knows Spears. “Remember, she still thinks of herself as a good mom, so she’s not thinking in terms of being incapable of caring for a kid.”

Despite the photos, “Access Hollywood” reports that Sam Lutfi, a former Spears hanger-on, said the Rite Aid trip was a joke. “They’re just toying with the paparazzi,” he told “Access.”

As for her trip to the hospital, Spears has put it behind her, according to a source, and doesn’t plan on reaching out to Dr. Phil McGraw — who visited her at about the same time she was being released from the hospital — for any help.

A point of interest regarding Dr. Phil’s visit: Dr. Phil apparently had his production team already taping the show he meant to air about Britney while he was at the hospital. However, he hadn’t notified his producers that he was attempting to visit Spears.

“They were going about their expert interviews and had no clue that Phil had gone to Cedars. He didn’t tell anyone, then all of a sudden there are press releases about his visit coming out. It was so strange,” said a source close to the production.

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