Britney Spears surprised "Rock The Cradle" contestants Thursday night by unexpectedly showing up for the season finale to support her former manager and friend Larry Rudolph.

"Rock The Cradle" pits aspiring pop stars, who have rock and roll in their DNA, against one another. The finale, being broadcast on MTV, features Jess Blaze Snider, son of Dee Snider; Crosby Loggins, son of Kenny Loggins; and Chloe Lattanzi, daughter of Olivia Newton John. Rudolph is judging the competition.

Spears spent the duration of the show seated backstage surrounded by security.

Spears headed to the show after spending the day with her two sons, Jayden James and Sean Preston. It was the first extended visit since she, along with her parents Lynne and Jamie Spears, appeared in Los Angeles County Superior Court Tuesday for a custody hearing, where she was granted extended visitation rights by Commissioner Scott Gordon.

BRITNEY SPEARS is heading for a head to head album battle with pop’s ultimate fallen diva – WHITNEY HOUSTON.

The clash was set up because Brit has impressed label chiefs so much with her new material.

Brit has spent the past two years shaving her bonce, flashing her undercarriage, divorcing her husband and crashing cars — but finally seems to have got her act together.

After the poor reception for her most recent album Blackout, label bosses thought their wayward artist had blown it.

But impressive demos from recent studio work reignited their faith and they are confident she can crush ageing Whitney in a titanic Christmas LP scrap.

A label source said: “Britney has been on fire in the studio of late.

“During recording sessions for the last album she was consumed by her chaotic private life.

“But she is determined to make a triumphant comeback. Top brass have been amazed by the quality of tracks they’ve heard.

"Whitney is set for another relaunch at the same time later in the year. They’re determined Brit will come out on top.”

At least Brit is listening to decent music. She looked her best for months when snapped leaving an LA gym clutching a copy of RADIOHEAD’s In Rainbows this week.

I KNOW A MAN WHO RUNS A SUCCESFUL BUSINESS, AND HE SAID THAT FOR EVERY EMAIL ADDRESS WE COLLECT HE WILL DONATE $1.00. SO EVERYONE SEND ME YOUR EMAIL IN A EMAIL to olmchottie@yahoo.com BRITNEY WOULD DO THIS AND SO SHOULD YOU. CMON ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TYPE YOUR EMAIL IN A MESSAGE AND MOVE THAT HEAVY MOUSE AND CLICK SEND!

PLEASE

~Steven

Just Think 1000 Emails = $1000.00

...an X17 source Xclusively tells us the psych report is what's holding her back.

Our girl Brit had a successful day in court where it was confirmed the mother of two would get to spend more time with her two kids and X17 has learned that "extended" time will mean some afternoon hours in addition to her current, three-hour (supervised) visits from 9 a.m. to noon, three days a week! And while this is great news for Britney, our source says that unsupervised visits or overnights are "well down the road" because of Brit's fragile mental state.

On July 31st, the court will address her father Jamie's temporary conservatorship over his daughter. We'd love to see Brit get her personal and financial freedoms back... but there's a catch. If Britney is allowed more independence, chances are it'll hurt her custody case.

Sounds kinda unfair, but that's the legal system for ya - we're just hoping for the best!

The rehabilitation of Britney Spears continues as the singer and her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday with the result being that she is allowed more time with their two young sons.

“Kevin loves Britney and he loves his children,” his spokesperson tells In Touch. “I believe he would love to see a situation where the children have the benefit of a mommy and a daddy raising them. I’ve seen him (Kevin) with his children. The love is genuine.”

Meanwhile, with the exact details of the change in visitation still sealed, Kevin’s attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan described the modification as “a cautious step — a step nonetheless. The children are great. We’re going to take it one step at a time.”

Britney’s parents, Jamie and Lynne Spears, who accompanied her to court, said in a statement: “We are so pleased with Britney’s progress and we’re very appreciative of the court’s recognition of this progress.”

She has been seeing the boys, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden, 19 months, but without any overnight visitation rights. Despite today’s decision, Kevin still retains full custody.

Britney, 26, wearing a brown polka dot dress and white shawl, arrived at Los Angeles Superior Court for the first time in several months with her powerhouse attorneys Blair Berk and Stacy Phillips.

Previous trips to court by Britney have turned into a circus, with her turning tail and leaving after a few minutes. This time, however, an insider reveals to In Touch that she is “calmer and in control.”

Britney Spears boards a private jet with her mother Lynn and father, Jamie at a private airport in Mississippi. The pop princess was visiting her hometown of Kentwood to attend her sisters baby shower. Britney boarded the place carrying a Wallmart bag and a mug while sporting Pink shorts and a stripy pink t-shirt from Abercrombie and Fitch.

Two shots have been released as promotion for Britney's new appearance on how I met your mother.

Click To Enlarge

Intouch Weekly & UsWeekly are The Only Magazines to Not Have Britney On The Cover This Week! The Less the Better! But Us Has JamieLynn on The Front!

People Magazine features is about Britney getting more time-That's A Plus

Life & Style features Britney on the cover About Getting her body Back-GREAT

Ok Magazine features on the cover Britney & Jamie Reunite!-Good

Star Magazine: Of Course They Have To Post BullShit, About Britney & KFED Rekindling Their Romance- BOOO

With Britney Spears embroiled in a seemingly neverending custody battle and 17-year-old sis Jamie Lynn Spears expecting her first child very soon, it's hard to imagine a family under more scrutiny these days than the Spears clan.

But in spite of all the outside pressure on them, it was nothing but good times for the Spears sisters when they reunited on May 2 for the Zoey 101 star's baby shower.

"It was wonderful to be able to spend time with her and just be girls again," Jamie Lynn told OK! in an exclusive interview about seeing her sister for the first time in months. "We painted our nails and did stupid stuff."

Even better, explains Jamie Lynn, was that she was able to have some one-on-one time with Brit: "To be able to be in the privacy of our own home and just be sisters again was wonderful."

Mother-of-two Britney even shared some words of wisdom with her pregnant sibling. "She told me, 'There are going to be some long nights, but it is completely worth it,'" Jamie Lynn recalls to OK!.

As for whether or not the pop superstar will make it back home to Louisiana when Jamie Lynn has the baby, the teen star tells OK!, "Nothing is set in stone, but that would be wonderful. I'd love to have her here for that, but you can't plan that far ahead."

Even if Brit isn't there in person for her younger sister, the two are in almost-constant contact, says Jamie Lynn. For the complete interview and all the exclusive photos and details from baby shower, be sure to pick up the new issue of OK! — on sale everywhere Thursday.

FROM LEFT: BRITNEY, LYNN, JAMIE LYYN, CASEY'S SISTER ASHLEY & CASEYS MOM JOY

Although it was truly a monumental day for Britney Spears — the singer showed up to court for the first time since October to face off with her ex, Kevin Federline, in their ongoing custody battle — sources tell OK! that it didn't go as well as some online reports would have you believe.

Reports that the pop superstar will get overnight visits with her boys within the month, and that 50/50 custody with K-Fed is imminent, are false, sources close to the case confirm to OK!.

"Britney will not get automatic overnights in the future," the insider tells OK! exclusively. "Right now, the amount of time she gets for her day visits has been increased, but no overnights are planned."

According to the source, more information is needed before the issue of overnight visits is even considered.

"The court needs to see how this first step goes for a significant amount of time," explains the insider, adding that things won't be able to move forward until after a review of this latest expansion. "It's not about how well she does with the boys," the source said, "But how well the boys do. That's what it's all about."

Until today's decision to expand her time with sons Sean Preston and Jayden James, the singer has had the boys three times a week for 3-hour, supervised visits.

Another source close to the case tells OK! that reports that the commissioner was pleased with Britney's progress are also false. According to the insider, a return to split custody is still many, many months away, and it could be years away if the conservatorship is dissolved at its next review date on July 31.

The source says Britney's progress is based solely on the presence of the conservatorship. The singer's father and conservator, Jamie Spears, has a "duty to be there, not as a father or grandfather, but by law. That is what's made the turnaround in her. Take that away, and who knows what will happen. We don't know what she'd be without the company of the conservator."

TMZ has more details on what Britney Spears got in court today.

As we first reported, Brit will get three days of supervised visitation per week. Sources tell us within a month she will also have overnight visitation with her kids.

We're told Commish Scott Gordon was extremely impressed with Brit's progress today. It was a different story a few months back when she completely pissed him off. The Commish was somewhat blown away by her progress.

The goal, we're told, is to ramp it up over the next few months so that Brit gets 50/50 custody, right back where she started from.

Sources close to the custody case tell TMZ Britney Spears will get three days supervised visitation a week, significantly more face time than she gets now.

It is unclear whether she has overnights with the kids. A source close to the fam tells us Brit is aiming to get back 50/50 custody by August.

We've also learned Britney will spend Mother's Day with the kids.

Sources close to the custody case tell TMZ Britney Spears will get three days supervised visitation a week, significantly more face time than she gets now.

It is unclear whether she has overnights with the kids. A source close to the fam tells us Brit is aiming to get back 50/50 custody by August.

We've also learned Britney will spend Mother's Day with the kids.

Story developing ...

Britney Spears will get more time with her sons during visitation, a court ruled Tuesday.

"We are so pleased with Britney's progress, and we are appreciative of the court's recognition of this progress," Spears's parents, Jamie and Lynne Spears, said in statement after a hearing attended by the pop star and her ex-husband Kevin Federline.

It was not clear how much more time Spears was granted. Federline's attorney characterized the court order as "an expansion of time."

"It is a cautious step, but a step forward nonetheless," said lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan. "We are seeing signs of [Britney's] progress, and consistency over time is something welcome by Kevin ... The children are doing great."

Spears, with lawyer Blair Berk and both of her parents, smiled as she left the courtroom and headed for her SUV, but did not talk to the press. Earlier, during a break in the hearing, the singer was seen looking teary-eyed. However, during a second break, she smiled and held her mother's hand as she went back into the courtroom.

During that break, Spears and her lawyers, as well as Federline and his attorney, convened to adjacent rooms outside of the courtroom.

The hearing began around 9:40 a.m. on Tuesday. Spears, wearing a knee-length brown and white dress, was accompanied by her lawyer and both of her parents. Federline, wearing a tan pinstriped suit, was with Kaplan.

Spears has spent the last several months keeping a relatively low profile – and staying out of trouble. The singer was hospitalized at UCLA Medical Center's psych ward in January. Her custody arrangement has consisted of only monitored visitation rights with her sons, Preston, 2, and Jayden, 1, several times a week – but no overnight privileges. Her father and a lawyer maintain legal control of her affairs until a July 31 hearing.

Since her father took control of Spears's life, the singer has been spending more time with her family – including her previously estranged mom. (She recently attended a baby shower for her sister, Jamie Lynn, in Kentwood, La.)

Spears has also been hard at work filming her second appearance on How I Met Your Mother, which will air May 12.

You know, when you see Britney Spears through the eyes of a sketch artist, it's like the whole head-shaving, vadge-flashing thing never even happened. She's a work of art, y'all.
Britney and K-Fed are still in court right now, but should be breaking for some vittles at noon PT.

SHE LOOKS SO GOOD!

UPDATE 9:42 AM PT -- Kevin and Britney were both sworn into court. A motion to close the court was granted -- so everyone was kicked out. FYI -- Elliot Mintz, K-Fed's attorney's rep, got the boot too.

The Commish has taken a recess and Brit is out in the hall looking very upset. Our spy says that while Britney isn't actually crying in the hallway -- it looks like she might have been crying inside the closed courtroom.

Mom and Pop Spears are still in the courtroom with Brit's attorney, as is K-Fed and all his people.

Stay tuned ...

UPDATE 10:28 AM PT -- Brit is back in the courtroom.

UPDATE 10:38 AM PT -- Britney is back out of the courtroom, smiling and holding hands with Blair Berk.

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline have arrived at L.A. Superior Court for a hearing concerning the custody of sons Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1.

Spears arrived in a white Range Rover and entered the court via an underground entrance. Attorney Blair Berk accompanied the singer.

Federline, 30, showed up after Spears. He was driven through the underground entrance in the backseat of a black Range Rover with his lawyer.

Sporting a tan, he walked into the courtroom in a pinstripe tan suit.

Spears, in heels and a brown dress with big white polka dots, was accompanied by her parents, Lynne and Jamie.

Britney, Kevin, and Jamie Spears were then sworn in. When asked to state her name, Britney said, "Britney," and the judge said, "State your full name." She then said, "Britney Spears." Jamie and Kevin said their full names and then the court was closed.

Spears and Federline did not look at each other at all.

Federline has had primary custody of their kids since January, when Spears, 26, was involuntarily hospitalized after she refused to turn over one of the boys to his bodyguard.

As the singer's stability has improved under the conservatorship of her father, she has been granted regular visits with her sons.

The hearing is expected to include a psychiatrist's evaluation of Spears (who has been shooting her second guest spot on CBS' How I Met Your Mother).

__________________________________________________________________

She made it! For the first time in months, sparring exes Britney Spears and Kevin Federline are both actually in a California courtroom to discuss matters in their ongoing custody battle.

Britney, looking her best in a brown and white polka-dot dress and straightened blonde locks, waited patiently in a holding area until around 9:37 am PT while Commissioner Scott Gordon dealt with matters in other cases.

When their case was finally called, the superstar entered the courtroom with her mom, Lynne and father Jamie, who sat in the back row. They were joined by Blair Burke, the lawyer who represents Britney's father. Both Brit and Kevin, decked out in a beige suit, gold earrings and pinky ring, were sworn in by Gordon.

According to a witness in the courtroom, when Brit-Brit was asked to state her name for the record, she whispered, almost inaudibly, "Britney." Gordon had to instruct her further to give her full name.

Almost immediately after being sworn in, Britney's lawyer asked that the court be closed to the public and the request was granted by Jordan.

Meanwhile, in a strange only-in-Hollywood twist, Elliott Mintz, better known as the publicist for celebutante extraordinaire Paris Hilton, has introduced himself as the new PR mouthpiece for K-Fed.

Britney Spears arrived shortly after 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday to attend a hearing in Los Angeles family court for a progress review.

Her ex-husband Kevin Federline, wearing a tan pinstriped suit and looking upbeat, entered the courtroom accompanied by his lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, at 9:30 a.m.

Though Spears has spent the last several months keeping a relatively low profile – and staying out of trouble – experts say it's unlikely the pair's current custody arrangement will change.

"As long as Britney remains under a conservatorship, she has a long way to go before the court views her as a capable mother," says L.A. family lawyer Scott Weston, who is not involved in the case.

Spears, who was hospitalized at UCLA Medical Center's psych ward in January, currently has monitored visitation rights with her sons, Preston, 2, and Jayden, 1, several times a week – but no overnight privileges. Her father, Jamie, and a lawyer maintain legal control of her affairs until a July 31 hearing.

Spears has a spotty record of attending previous court hearings: On at least two occasions, the singer briefly appeared then abruptly left – in part due to the media frenzy.

Since her father took control of Spears's life, the singer has been spending more time with her family – including her previously estranged mom. (She recently attended a baby shower for her sister, Jamie Lynn, in Kentwood, La.)

Spears has also been hard at work filming her second appearance on How I Met Your Mother, which will air May 12.

Britney Spears blew off a little pre-courtroom steam Monday at the Alicia Keys concert.

Expected to attend a Tuesday progress review hearing in Los Angeles family court with her ex, Kevin Federline, Spears decided to have a little fun first.

The singer arrived at the Staples Center at 8:30 p.m. with mom Lynne, her assistant, and two bodyguards and parked in an underground VIP parking lot to avoid photographers. There was no sign of sister Jamie Lynn Spears, who just celebrated her baby shower with her big sis in Kentwood, La., last weekend.

Spears – who according to one onlooker looked pretty and seemed psyched to be there – missed the opening act, Ne-Yo, but got there in time to clap when Keys took the stage and to get up and bop to the tunes.

It wasn't tough for Britney Spears to decide to reprise her role as ditzy receptionist Abby on CBS' How I Met Your Mother.

"I had such a great experience the last time I was on the show that I couldn't wait to come back," the singer said in a statement Monday. "