Sean Penn and wife Robin Wright are divorcing after 11 years of marriage.

It must be tough on their kids — Hopper Jack (14) and Dylan Frances (16) — especially since it’s the holidays.

This marks the end of a partnership on and off the screen, since the two have starred together in films like “HurlyBurly” and “She’s so Lovely”. Though they’ve had problems — a notably turbulent period in 1997 — but they tried to make it work.

Luckily Sean Penn’s career is doing better than his family life; his movie, “Into the WIld” has won critical acclaim and Golden Globe / SAG nominations.

With a baby on the way, Jessica Alba and boyfriend Cash Warren have decided to tie the knot. The popular actress showed off her engagement ring.

The couple met while filming Fantastic Four, where Cash was the director’s assistance. Their publicist says that they’re “ecstatic” and after 3 years of being together, they’re ready to make a full commitment to each other and their child.

So much for chestnuts roasting on the open fire.

Britney Spears has weakened her custody case (and the judge’s opinion of her)
with her “model” parenting behavior. The weekend before Christmas, she went on a wild shopping spree, driving without headlines (strike one) and the trunk open (strike two) and then parking in a spot for the disabled (strike three). She entered a Rite-Aid store, telling photographers: “I have stuff I have to buy for my babies.” There, for a little under $15, she bought a plush hours for kids labeled 4 and up — her sons are both under 2 years old (strike four). She then spent the night with an unnamed photographer (strike five) and screamed and cursed at paparrazi (strike… oh, never mind.)

At least she didn’t get drunk.

Talk about a lust-hate relationship.

Britney’s been hounded by photographers for years, but apparently one of them — named only as “Adnan” — got a little closer than others. She invited him up to her Peninsula Hotel room, though he told Us Weekly that “We are just friends. She was just upset, pretty much about everything.”

The two became, er, best friends after he gave her his card at a gas station, after he was told that she “liked” him. They were later seen holding hands at a convenience store.

He wanted to go to her house, but she said it was too dirty. She suggested a hotel. She quickly went back home to fix herself up, he parked a street down from her gate (yeah, like that makes it more subtle) and she emerged in fishnet tights and a leopard print dress.

Dr. Phil McGraw’s always been quick to call a spade a spade, but his no-nonsense approach seems to have faltered when it comes to Lynne Spears. “She’s a great mother,” he said, adding that he knows the Spears family personally.

“They are looking for the positives,” he said, and he doesn’t mean a positive drug test, or a
positive pregnancy test either. Though the family’s been living under the spotlight, Lynne has “her feet squarely and solidly on the ground” and even now is turning to “prayer.”

Sorry, but those two kids clearly show a lack of self-esteem, value system, or groundedness, and Lynne’s stagemom stunts haven’t helped them a bit. Lynne may be trying her best but she’s in no position to dispense advice to other people about raising daughters. Or chiapets, for that matter.

Talk about falling standards. Lynne Spears’ parenting book “Pop Culture Mom” is still pushing through. Sounds like it’s a warning to what parents SHOULDN’T do, if the actions of her kids are any indication.

Her publishers said, “Lynne Spears’ memoir will provide a window into the world of fame and worldly success…and a much-needed corrective to a world obsessed with the wrong priorities.”
They feel that “God is at work” and that redemption is possible — and from scandal will come some brave success story. “[The Spears family] story is still being written, and we are confident in His ability to turn ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3).”

Well that would be one Christmas miracle.

But now she’s even agreed to take small endorsement deals, even agreeing to carry around a NIcotine substitute sold in AUstralia in all of her events so she can be photographed by papparazi.

Ah, how the mighty have fallen.

Hilary and Haylie Duff are pretty good at keeping their cool and staying out of trouble (Spears sisters, take notes).

But they really lost their temper at the paparazzi, who stalked them during the court proceedings of their parents’ divorce. “What’s wrong with you?” they screamed, starting an exchange of swear words and insults that would make even Rosie O’Donnell blush.

Perfectly understandable, of course. Paparazzi should’ve realized it was a difficult time for the girls. Go stalk somebody else, boys — maybe Amy Winehouse is wandering around in the next street.

Britney was so shocked by her sister’s pregnancy that she canceled a dance practice. And she certainly had reason to be surprised — she was one of the last to know. Jamie’s advisers had told her to keep her distance from the scandal-plagued singer, but apparently forgot to mention that she should stay out scandals herself.

“She feels that she needs peace and quiet,” says Britney’s rep. And a lot of food. After running away from paparazzi, she passed by Carls Jr for a burger, fries and coke.

What is it with the Spears family?

Jamie Lynn is pregnant, and she’s just 16 years old. Her family’s shocked. “She’s usually so conscientious,” says her mother, who still can’t over how her “baby” is going to be a mom.

Jamie stars in Zooey 101, one of the top rating shows in Nickelodeon. This family-centered station, who’s probably reeling at the PR disaster that’s unfolding before its eyes, simply said: “We respect Jamie Lynn’s decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn’s well being.”

Jamie is 3 months pregnant. She found out through a pregnancy test, then went to a doctor’s appointment. She and “longtime” boyfriend Casey Aldridge (how long time can it be when she’s just 16? They’ve been dating since she was 12???) kept it secret for 2 weeks.

“I needed to work out what I would do for myself before I let anyone’s opinion affect my decision,” she told the magazine.