Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera opened the show by singing "Like A Virgin," while wearing replicas of Madonna's infamous wedding dress from her performance of the song at the first VMAs. Madonna joined the girls after that, performing one of her new songs, "Hollywood." When it came time to swap spit, everybody involved seemed quite comfortable (except maybe Justin Timberlake, who the cameras instantly cut to after the Britney-Madonna kiss).

Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Knowles and Coldplay won three Moon Men each at last night's VMAs. Missy Elliot was rewarded with Video of the Year and Best Hip-Hop for "Work It."

Country legend, and six-time VMA nominee, Johnny Cash could not attend the show. Cash has spent the week in a Nashville hospital with a stomach condition. He's in stable condition, but will remain hospitalized another day. Cash's video for "Hurt" won the Best Cinematography award.

David Letterman celebrates his 10th anniversary of hosting the Late Show tonight. You'd think there'd be a big primetime special--but no. Dave must've told CBS he didn't want one. After all, NBC is giving Conan O'Brien a primetime anniversary celebration next month.

Actor Max Wright, who played family head Willie Tanner on ALF, was busted Tuesday in upstate New York on drunk-driving charges. Hey, if you were overshadowed by your co-star who was a puppet, you'd start drinking too!

Barenaked Ladies release Everything To Everyone, their sixth full-length album, October 21st.

People are making a special point to request Room 35 at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Colorado. It's the room Kobe Bryant was staying in the night he's accused of raping that 19-year-old hotel employee. Hey, if you can afford the $625 a night, and can live with yourself, why not?

Michael Jackson turns 45 today. He's celebrating by staying in Room 35 at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera with some young "friends."

Note to Michael Jackson's lawyers: the preceding was, you know, "satire of a public figure," and not intended to get my ass sued!

In theaters today: Jeepers Creepers 2; The Italian Job (re-released in hopes of pushing the flick over the $100 million mark. It's earned $96 million to date).

--Greg Valentine

Comedian-actor Chris Rock hosts the VMAs. Performers include Coldplay, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce Knowles, Metallica, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Good Charlotte. Madonna hasn't been announced as an official performer, but is expected to participate.

The latest rumor: Britney Spears will dress up in a replica of Madonna's wedding dress from her infamous "Like A Prayer" performance 20 years ago at the first VMAs.

Quick…name somebody who won at last year's VMAs! In other words, it's a great show for star-watching. Not exactly the prestige of the Oscars.

The CIA's invited Alias star Jennifer Garner to film an introduction to an official agency recruiting video. Young men will be under the false impression that CIA agents look like Jennifer Garner for many years to come!

The Smoking Gun's posted a 20-year-old interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger, in which the potential California governor admitted to smoking "grass and hash," hanging with "hookers and bar owners," and participating in a group sex encounter. Arnold's shrugging off the story.

The Neptunes have the number one album (The Neptunes Present…Clones) on the Billboard chart this week. Insiders say Mary J. Blige's new CD should debut at the top when the charts are announced next week.

The Guinness Book of World Records has named Cameron Diaz the highest paid actress in Hollywood, beating out Julia Roberts and Halle Barry. Cameron made $41 million in 2001, and figures to make around $45 million in the next year (you know, give or take a bazillion-gajillion)!

Black Eyed Peas join the lineup of performers for the upcoming Latin Grammy Awards. But the Peas aren't Latino? Not the point. Ratings for the telecast are the point.

The Fab Five from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy have landed a million-dollar deal to write a makeover book for Random House. It'll be the only book that judges you back.

World Idol: a two-hour special is coming sometime in December, in which American Idol champ Kelly Clarkson competes against the winners of Idol competitions from other countries.

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs opens his first Sean Jean clothing store next year on New York City's ritzy Fifth Avenue. The rap mogul hopes to eventually have 200 to 300 Sean Jean locations across the county. Someday in the not-too-distant future, Puffy will actually possess all the money!

--Greg Valentine

Behind bars, instead of in them: singer (?) Bobby Brown was sentenced this morning to another nine days in jail, followed by 60 days of house arrest, for violating his parole relating to a 1996 drunk-driving charge.

And here's some more juicy gossip about Bobby Brown's bust last Friday at that restaurant in suburban Atlanta. One of the other diners actually turned Bobby in, after Whitney Houston refused to sign an autograph for the woman (memo to Whitney: be nice when you're out in public with your fugitive husband). Police say Whitney yelled, screamed and pointed fingers at them during Bobby's arrest. Brown was "calm and cordial," they told the local paper.

Sean Paul and Black-Eyed Peas will perform tomorrow on MTV Video Music Awards Opening Act.

Sounds like Britney Spears is pulling out of Madonna's superstar "Like A Virgin" performance on the VMAs, after Jennifer Lopez announced she couldn't do it. Rumor is Madonna will still sing it, in honor of the show's 20th anniversary.

Jennifer Lopez's former manger, Benny Medina, wants to resurrect George Michael's career, and has signed the 80s-heartthrob-turned-outted-gay-man. Now would be the time--George was the original Singing Queer for the Straight Ear!

STOP EVERYTHING! Singer Janet Jackson had a huge crush on Barry Manilow when she was a child. Okay, continue with your lives.

Something I would've made up (if it wasn't actually true): Pink will host the annual Pimp 'N Ho Costume Ball in Las Vegas this weekend. It's a two-day event that brings out the sexiest and sleaziest people and clothing that Sin City has to offer. "Let's Get This Party Started," indeed!

Just in time for the holidays (er, Halloween, from the looks of it): American Idol Christmas hits stores October 14th. The disc features contestants from both seasons.

Michelle Branch performs a special concert tonight for AOL's Broadband Rocks! series. Those of you lucky enough to have broadband (but unlucky enough to have AOL) can watch it at 9 p.m. Eastern.

--Greg Valentine

Actually, negotiations continue with Brad Garrett, who still hasn't shown up for work due to his salary dispute. Garrett has been written out of the upcoming season's first two episodes.

Alleged parole-violator Bobby Brown is expected to remain in a Georgia jailhouse until a court appearance tomorrow. This has been another edition of "How I Spent My Summer Vacation," by Bobby Brown.

George Lopez has been picked to host the fourth annual Latin Grammy Awards September 3rd on CBS. Well, who'd you think it was gonna be? Ted Danson?

The song Madonna and Britney Spears will perform on the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards Thursday night is the classic, "Like A Prayer." Jennifer Lopez was rumored to also be taking part in the superstar performance. But word is she can't--her movie hasn't wrapped filming yet.

Singer Dave Matthews is set to co-star in acclaimed director Wayne Wang's film, Because of Winn-Dixie. Movies directed by somebody named "Wang" normally have a soundtrack that goes: "bomp-chicka-chicka-bomp-chicka-chicka."

Rap mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs is being sued for $5 million by a woman who claims she was pushed to the ground by the bouncer at his Manhattan restaurant. Get in line, lady! There's, like, 15 lawsuits ahead of you.

CBS has added two more episodes to Big Brother 4, delaying its finale from September 17th to September 24th. That's another whole week of bed-hopping for Alison!

How do you get back at the celebrity-endorser who later sued you? If you're Skechers, you hire her rival. Christina Aguilera has been tapped to pitch the popular footwear, formerly promoted by Britney Spears.

Wanna feel like crap? Guess how much the celebrity dog-walker for Mike Meyers, Steven Spielberg and Renee Zellweger makes yearly? $200,000!! Wanna feel a little better? Renee just fired the overpaid pouch-pacer for talking about her to the tabloids.

Singer Pink has written Prince William a letter, urging his royal young-rich-and-good-looking-ness to stop hunting animals for sport. This confounds royal experts in England, who are surprise someone of Pink's age would write a letter, instead of an email.

CDs that are in stores today (right, like you're going to Sam Goody to buy something you can download for free): Mary J. Blige, Love & Life; Cher, Live: Farewell Tour.

Out on DVD: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers; Animal House (25th Anniversary Edition). ER (first season); The Simpsons (third season).

Freddy vs. Jason slashed the competition again at the box office. The clash of the horror titans earned another $13.5 million to rank number one for the second week, during what's typically a slow, "dog days of summer," movie weekend.

Enrique Iglesias has signed a deal for close to $100 million to promote Pepsi worldwide. Look for his recently-dumped mole should sue for "ali-moly."

Jennifer Lopez has reached an out-of-court settlement with a director who claims the star stole his idea for a movie. No, it wasn't the idea for Gigly--or she'd be suing him.

Carson Daly has conquered radio and television. Now he's going after the record industry. Carson's starting his own label, called 456 Entertainment. He's recruiting new talent through his 456entertainment.com website.

Courtney Love 's new CD, America's Sweetheart, hits stores November 4th. Kurt Cobain 's widow says the album contains "a lot of God and a lot of sex." We're not sure what Courtney herself contains--but we know you need a doctor's prescription to get it!

Two years ago today: singer Aaliyah died in a tragic place crash. Fans held a vigil in San Francisco yesterday. One is planned for New York today. Details at Aaliyah.com.

--Greg Valentine