MTV

WHAT DO ASHTON KUTCHER AND JUSTIN BIEBER HAVE IN COMMON BESIDES HAIR?

So WHAT if Justin Bieber’s CSI episode failed in the ratings. He’s already got another deal with MTV as the new host of “Punk’d.” MTV has been eager to get Punk’d back on the air ever since Ashton Kutcher retired his 4 year old show in 2007. Ashton got tired of people panicking whenever they saw him, assuming they were part of a prank. Nobody trusted him. He’s back as executive producer and personally selected Justin to host- maybe because they have similar hair.

LADY GAGA TRIES HARDER AND SHE’S SPECTACULAR AT THE VMA AWARDS

Lady Gaga made her usual dazzling entrance at the VMA Awards decked out head to toe in a tribute to the late fabulous designer Alexander McQueen. He would have been proud. She’s one of the few celebrities with the courage to flaunt his designs. It’s difficult to imagine that Gaga – back when she was Stefani Germanotta- was a die-hard fan of –not Madonna– but BRITNEY SPEARS and aped her style! Her high school yearbook said that Stefani and Britney were “separated at birth.” The resemblance is long gone. Fortunately.

HOW MANY OF THE JERSEY SHORE ORIGINALS RETURN TO WORK, REMAINS TO BE SEEN

We’re not certain that the phrase “the cream is rising to the top” is appropriate in this case, but the most popular of the Jersey Shore gang are making out like bandits in their new contract negotiations. The whole gang refused to work on the show last weekend until they have signed contracts. MTV wants the incredibly successful show to continue into a 3rd season and they are arguing that if the stars are wealthy they won’t be so likeable or appealing. That doesn’t fly with the Jersey kids who want to cash in while they can. Snooki, The Situation, and Pauly D are the most popular of the group. (Note they are seated dead center in The View photo above) They are expected to at least triple their current $10,000 per episode salaries. Snooki and The Situation have already settled on deals they like and Pauly D will soon follow. If the “less important” members of the Jersey cast ask for too much, they might not be invited to return. And if there is a big difference in salaries, how will it affect their relationships? MTV has a lot to consider.

CHRISTINA AGUILERA: OFF THE RADAR TOO LONG

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Attention seeking Christina Aguilera changed her clothes numerous times for the MTV Awards. She wore this rockabilly-punk look out to dinner at Soho House after the show with her husband. She seems to be making a determined effort NOT to look like her rivals Lady Gaga or Rihanna, the current reigning queens of pop. Christina learned the hard way that things don’t stay the same when you take four years off to spend time with your family. Her concert tour this summer was cancelled – most likely for lack of ticket sales – and no one’s too excited about her new album. But she still has that voice going for her. And a movie with Cher.

LENNY AND ZOE KRAVITZ: FATHER AND DAUGHTER ON THE PROWL

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Lenny Kravitz and his daughter Zoe, 22, (with Lisa Bonet) hit the MTV after-parties and both are apparently looking for love. Zoe was linked with Ben Foster in 2008, but no one lately. Lenny likes performing in Europe because he loves foreign girls but he hasn’t settled on anyone for a long run in quite awhile. (His surprise fling with Nicole Kidman before she got married is still our favorite.) Above, Lenny is carrying his scarf as they left the overheated Las Palmas party.

THE JERSEY SHORE GUIDOS COULD WASH UP ON MALIBU BEACH

Aspiring Guidos (top photo) were hoping to fill their shoes, but just as we predicted, the Jersey Shore kids came to their senses and signed with MTV for another season of the show. We were concerned that the second time around might fall flat, but MTV is smarter than we realized. The Jersey Shore kids will NOT be going back to the same house or even the same beach. MTV says they will be relocated to a “warmer climate” – they haven’t decided where. This is a brilliant notion – imagine Snooki and The Situation surfing in Malibu, hanging with models on South Beach, or topless at the French Riviera! We’re talking cultural shock, here, and it’s going to be fun. The question is, will the Jersey kids change according to their environment or will the environment be changed by them?

DON’T BACK DOWN, MTV, KEEP “JERSEY SHORE” ON THE AIR

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We just don’t understand why advertisers are quitting “Jersey Shore,” Italians are objecting to “stereotypes,” and NJ lawmakers are even getting into the act by appealing to MTV to cancel the show. Why is everyone taking this fluffy show so SERIOUSLY? These kids do represent a segment of the population and why shouldn’t it be presented on TV? Appalachians didn’t try to get “The Beverly Hillbillies” booted off the air – and that was a SCRIPTED show. These kids are just living their lives on camera and if they want to call themselves “guidos” – why NOT? A lot of people happen to think “guidos” are very appealing. This political correctness is getting WAY out of hand. Hopefully, MTV is enjoying the controversy.

MTV’S “JERSEY SHORE” SEEMS LIKE A SPIN-OFF OF “GROWING UP GOTTI”

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We needed something to fill the gap when “Growing Up Gotti” went off the air and now we have it: “Jersey Shore.” MTV put eight twentysomething Italians (four guys and four girls) from the New York area into a summer share at the Jersey shore, equipped with a hot tub and other amenities. It’s walking distance from the beach and bars, so these self-described “guidos” and “guidettes” just party all the time. One of the guys, Pauly D, even LOOKS like a Gotti with his gelled hair, fake tan, and gold jewelry. Like “Growing Up Gotti,” this show also has subtitles because there’s a lot of sloppy diction, but it’s fun to see how this subculture carries on.

STEPHANIE PRATT TO SPENCER PRATT AND MTV: MY DUI WAS A SET-UP!

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Stephanie Pratt is seething in silence because she thinks her DUI arrest was a set-up masterminded by her brother Spencer Pratt and “The Hills” MTV producers. Here’s why: Ratings on the show have been dropping and producers and Spencer have been conspiring to create drama and get publicity for the stars. Sunday night they were filming for the show at Empire while Holly celebrated her birthday. The camera lingered on Stephanie drinking and they encouraged her to drink more. When it came time to leave, Stephanie hesitated because she IS careful about driving even if she drinks only a little, but Spencer and the producers assured her she was fine. A cop car was conveniently parked right out front and nabbed her before she drove 20 feet. She was only a fraction over the legal alcohol level. Stephanie spent a miserable night in jail. She believes that her “hitting rock bottom” with her drinking is just a plot created for benefit of the show. She’s privately FURIOUS but doesn’t know what to do.

KRISTIN CAVALLARI DOESN’T LIKE FAKING IT FOR “THE HILLS”

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Kristin Cavallari is in hot water with MTV, and the ink is barely dry on her $100,000 per show contract for “The Hills.” Kristin replaced Lauren Conrad and now narrates the series. MTV wants the show to be perceived as REAL and unscripted so they insist that Kristin NOT date anyone openly except her love interest on the show, Justin Bobby, or whoever. But Kristin is stubborn and she has been dating the former editor of 944 magazine, Sonny Smith, for about six months. She was spending time with him in Las Vegas, somewhat undercover, but couldn’t resist going out in LA and was photographed leaving Philippe restaurant. MTV execs are NOT happy and they gave her a warning. Is this guy worth jeopardizing her job?