Britney Spears took a $1.39 lighter from a gas station in Sherman Oaks, California. The owner, Jatinder Kaur won’t file a police report, but says “I’m hoping maybe the next time she comes back she will pay for it. I know she can afford to pay for it.”

Well she can afford car seats, but that didn’t make her use them, right?

A photographer had told Britney that she forgot to pay for the lighter, but she only laughed in sarcasm, “I stole something. Oh, I’m bad!”

If you can’t sing, strip.

Or so goes the career strategy of American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra, , who hit the headlines recently for multiple arrests and rumors of a sex tape that will be released at the end of the year, right before American Idol kicks off. Sure Simon will have a LOT to say if he had a chance.

But the question is, does anybody want to see her naked? Even without clothes, she’s still blah.

What is it with celebrities driving drunk? Can’t they afford chaffeurs?! Kiefer Sutherland joins the growing ranks of stars-thrown-in-the-slammer for DUI. He started serving his 48-day sentence on Wednesday, trading his designer labels for a bright orange jumpsuit.

He gets no special accomodations — just the standard 8 x 10 cell. He has laundry and kitchen duty, and prison food. Since he’ll be given chores/assignments he can roam for about 75% of the day, but he can’t talk to other inmates unless he’s serving food. And, unlike some celebs, he won’t get any time off for good behavior. He can only see 2 visitors a day, for 15 minutes each.

Sutherland gave no comment on his sentence, just smiling and shaking his head, and looking appropriately humbled and contrite. In a previous statement he had said, “I’m very disappointed in myself for the poor judgment I exhibited recently, and I’m deeply sorry for the disappointment and distress this has caused my family, friends and co-workers on 24 and at 20th Century Fox. I appreciate the support and concern that has been extended to me.”

After his term, he’ll be on 5 years probation and will need to attend weekly therapy sessions and an alcohol ed program expected to last for one and a half years.

Give back the check, Teri.

Hydroderm is suing Teri Hatcher for endorsing competing products after signing an exclusive deal with them — and they want their money back.

They’re particularly in a pout over how Teri was photographed applying
City Cosmetics CityLips pout plumper — when Hydroderm has a similar product, Volumizing Lip Serum.

“Hatcher’s name, image and likeness have been linked to so many competitors’ products (at least 17!) that it is anyone’s guess as to what product keeps her skin and lips youthful,” said the lawsuit.

Now they want their $2.4 million endorsement deal, plus $400,000 in expenses, all “due immediately.”

Teri’s group is countersuing, saying the lawsuit was an attack on her good name.

2007 was a paparazzi’s dream, as several celebrities went into “trainwreck” mode — getting arrested, flashing their privvies, checking into rehab (then out, then in), and even going on a wild murder spree.

Year in review:

1. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie both did jail time. So is the corner prison the new place to hang out and meet guys? But what about that awful dress code?

2. Lindsay Lohan preferred to “chill” at rehab, and found herself a new boyfriend too. The fact that he was engaged proved to be a minor inconvenience.

3. Chris Benoit, what happened? We’ll never know. He took his dark secrets to the grave, after killing his family and sending shockwaves through the wrestling world. Anna Nicole Smith also left many unanswered questions, and a little girl who will never know her mom (or her real dad, for that matter).

4. Alec Baldwin and David Hasselhoff, Dina Lohan and Lynne Spears, all proved to be poster kids for what NOT to do when you’re a parent. Hope other celeb moms - Nicole Richie, Scary Spice, and Christina Aguilera — are taking down notes.

5. One word: Britney. Three letters: WTF?

Britney quietly celebrated her 26th birthday with close friends at the Scandinavian Mansion of Style. (Wow. Been a while since we’ve used “quietly” and “Britney” in one sentence.)

She did go to a wild party just hours before, even meeting up with fellow trainwreck Paris Hilton, but slipped out — with no crotch flashing or DUI slip-ups the whole evening — for her birthday celebrations.

Wow, Britney. Just turned 26 and you’re more mature already.

Yes, Brody Jenner does love Lauren Conrad — and he means every word of it.
But it’s not that kind of love.

“I love her a lot. She’s a great friend of mine,” says the man of The Hills That pretty much kills all the speculation of a romantic ending for the two, though rumors that they’ve been dating have been going around for several months.

So what can fans expect from the Hills season finale this December? “My contract really doesn’t allow me to talk about that stuff.” Jenner said. Aaaw. Guess we’ll have to watch to find out.

Looks like Lindsay is really ready to focus on her career (does she still have one?). She’s dropping excess baggage, including the boyfriend she had while she in rehab at Utah’s Cirque Lodge. Though Lindsay’s dad thinks that Riley Giles (a 25 year old snowboarder) is “a great, great kid” she’s got bigger problems to deal with. Like earning the respect and trust of Hollywood directors and producers after her little “episodes” put their projects in jeopardy. Or cleaning her reputation as Celebrity Trainwreck. A friend says, “She is concentrating on her life and her career,” starting with al album under the Motown Label and a cameo on Ugly Betty.

Actress Tara Reid will be hosting a “Hookers Ball” in Darwin, Australia on Sunday night.

A manager at Darwin’s Discovery nightclub says Reid will be dressed up in lingerie or even as a prostitute. Reid will also be a contestant in a wet T-shirt competition.

The flyer for the naughty event says partygoers should expect “bondage beds, fantasy, latex, porn stars, erotic dancers and a R rated very raunchy event”.

Hospitality manager Guy Dunne said: “It’s a night like your ‘pimps and prostitutes’ or sleaze balls, and it’s just a night of less is best.”

“We thought Tara Reid would be a great choice… it’s a very naughty night and an opportunity to put your inhibitions down.”

Dunne said it was a big coup for the club and Darwin to have Reid host the event, saying they usually get passed over by “big-name stars”.

“It’s something our promotions team worked very hard for and we just managed to secure her in the last week,” Mr Dunne said.

“I believe Tara Reid and her people were very enthusiastic to come here.”

Check out the first behind the scenes video of the Spice Girls reunion tour.