The Access Entertainment Week In Review

Britney Spears was a big story this week, as she returned to the stage after a 3-year break for performances at three House of Blues locations in Southern California.

Britney performed short, 5-song sets (under the pseudonym “The M&M’s”), none lasting longer than 16 minutes, over the course of three nights at HoB locations in San Diego, Anaheim and West Hollywood, and is rumored to be playing another show in Las Vegas this weekend.

Security was tight at the shows. By the second night, cell phones were checked at the door to prevent footage leaking out to the media (as it had the first night).

The 15-minute performances were choreographed by Spears herself — and entirely lip-synched — which ruffled the feathers of some who paid upwards of $125 for a ticket. Despite those rumblings, there was a marked excitement at the shows (and in the media’s reports) over Britney taking the first steps toward a musical comeback.

The final night’s show was especially exciting, due to the celebrity presence of Lindsay Lohan, the Olsen twins, and Sean Paul in the audience. Britney also switched things up a bit on the final night by sporting a different wig than she had on the first two nights.

Larry Birkhead’s long wait to take baby Dannielynn home finally ended this week. Birkhead obtained his daughter’s revised birth certificate, which was changed to reflect the ruling that he was the biological father of Anna Nicole Smith’s baby — not Howard K. Stern. A passport soon followed.

The proud father left the Bahamas with his daughter amidst a media storm, taking her to his hometown of Louisville Kentucky. Access’ Tony Potts accompanied them on their journey, which culminated in a “Welcome Home” party thrown by Birkhead’s family, who met Dannielynn for the first time.

The summer movie season officially kicked into high gear this week, as “Spider-Man 3” made its big premiere in NYC as part of the Tribeca Film Festival, and then opened wide on Friday.

The city of New York was fully caught up in the mania, dedicating the week as “Spider-Man Week,” with tie-in events happening all over town. It wasn’t just New York catching Spider-Man fever, though, as the movie broke box-office records in several Asian countries earlier in the week, and advance ticket sales reached a record pace here in the U.S.

“American Idol” reached a fever pitch this week, as two contestants were sent home following an inspired performance show that featured the songs of Bon Jovi. A beatboxing Blake Lewis stood out on Tuesday night with his original re-working of “You Give Love a Bad Name,” and although Chris Richardson and Phil Stacey put in quality performances, the combined total of the last two weeks’ votes weren’t enough to keep them in the competition.

John Ratzenberger was eliminated on “Dancing With The Stars,” following a performance show that featured a reunion of “Beverly Hills 90210” cast members who showed up to cheer on contestant (and “90210” alum) Ian Ziering.

In other TV news, speculation continued on who would eventually be replacing Rosie O’Donnell on “The View,” and co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck announced that she was pregnant with her 2nd child.

The Coachella Music Festival generated buzz this week, as Scarlett Johansson took the stage to sing along with the reunited Jesus And Mary Chain. The city of Las Vegas also provided music news, as it was announced that the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast there, and that Bette Midler was taking over Celine Dion’s headlining act at Caesar’s Palace.

“Grey’s Anatomy” was big this week – literally – as a two-hour episode designed to set up a fall spin-off show aired, but not before actress Kate Walsh exclusively spilled the beans on the show to Access’ Billy Bush. Thursday’s show generated big ratings for ABC. Meanwhile, it was announced that fellow “Grey’s” cast member Isaiah Washington would be doing a public service announcement for gay rights group GLAAD, stemming from the controversy surrounding homophobic remarks he made earlier in the year.

“America’s Got Talent” judge David Hasselhoff was the subject of controversy himself, as his ex-wife wife Pamela Bach brought up explosive allegations of alcoholism and abuse, amidst an ongoing dispute between the two over spousal support and custody of their two daughters. In a statement to Access Hollywood, David stated, “I have the respect of my children and my fans, but most importantly I have self respect. I will continue to keep my personal life private for the sake of moving on and living a happy life with my daughters.”

In other custody battle news, Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger resumed their battle over their daughter, Ireland, this week, with a closed hearing that took place on Friday. Baldwin was not present at the hearing, but was represented by his lawyer. Another hearing is scheduled for June 5th, which will reportedly address the subject of the leaked tape of Baldwin’s infamous voice-mail rant to Ireland.

A woman who claims that Chris Rock is the father of her 13-year-old son says she is seeking a DNA test, because she’s not completely sure he’s the father. Rock, who has been married for ten years, has acknowledged that he had a “limited relationship” with the woman, and is willing to take a DNA test.

And Melanie Brown, aka “Scary Spice,” has threatened to take Eddie Murphy to court to settle the question of paternity over her baby, who she has long maintained is Murphy’s daughter. Brown says she has yet to hear from Murphy on the matter, and told Access: “He won’t do a DNA test, and he won’t sign the birth certificate, so now we’re having to go through lawyers because he won’t do either.”

And finally, Paris Hilton was was sentenced to 45 days in jail Friday for violating her probation, putting the brakes on the hotel heiress’ famous high life. She will go to Century Regional Detention Center, Los Angeles County’s jailhouse for women just south of downtown in Lynwood.