THG Week in Review: July

Below, our staff members take a look back on the last seven days in celebrity news and rumors - and we've certainly got a lot to talk about.

Visit our site daily and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7/365 updates. Now, for some of the top stories we covered this past week:

• The Mel Gibson tapes. Where to start? All the tapes / voicemails were recorded February 18. Oksana Grigorieva says she taped him because she feared for her life. Whether witnesses saw him attack her January 6 is the question.
• She's being treated like a common criminal in the slammer, but Lindsay Lohan may be set free as early as this weekend. She's lobbying for time with family before being shipped off to rehab following her release - don't bet on it.
• A major shakeup at American Idol leaves Randy Jackson the last judge standing, with J. Lo and Steven Tyler replacing Ellen and Kara.
• The appearance by Barack Obama on The View was mostly light, and sparked criticism from many, including former Gov. Sarah Palin.
• In other Palin news, Bristol is reportedly pissed over a report that Levi put it to Lanesia Garcia and may become a baby daddy again!

This is reportedly the new American Idol panel.

• Jon and Kate Gosselin reached a custody settlement.
• A supposed set of Angelina Jolie drug photos surfaced.
• Zac Efron did the strip club thing ... Zac Efron style.
• Justin Bieber is a sinner against God (some think).
• Kendall Jenner is all good with her bikini pics, though.
• Tiffany came to the defense of Miley. Yes, Tiffany.
• People really don't like Scott Disick as a general rule.
• Jersey Shore is back, and better/worse than ever.
• The Bachelorette ending(s) spark debate among fans.
• Mocienne Petit Jackson claimed to be MJ's love child.

Most people have Bieber Fever, but some say he's a sinner.

• Baby news about six months from today: Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr (rumored); Melissa Rycroft and Tye Strickland (confirmed).
• Couples: Alex Beh is dating Jennifer Love Hewitt; Kroy Biermann is dating Kim Zolciak; Eddie Cibrian is moving in with LeAnn Rimes.
• Wedding Bells: Linda Hogan and Charlie Hill are engaged. Hey, at least he can drink at his own wedding to the 50-year-old. Barely.

T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle: Married!

T.I. has made an honest woman out of longtime girlfriend Tameka "Tiny" Cottle.

The rapper (real name Clifford Harris) and the BET reality star tied the knot at a Miami Beach court, and will repeat their vows in an elaborate ceremony in three cities.

Hey, if you're gonna commit, you might as well go all in.

The couple will wed again today in front of family and friends (including Tiny's BET costar Antonia "Toya" Carter) on a private island off the coast of Miami.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. T.I.!

They will then return to their hometown of Atlanta for a reception later this afternoon before jetting to Vegas to celebrate with friends into the wee hours.

Talk about getting married in style.

Dating since 2001, they have two children together. The rapper, who got out of prison in December, has three children from previous relationships as well.

Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Oksana Grigorieva Speaks on Mel Gibson Tapes: "I Was in Fear For My Life"

Breaking her silence for the first time since the now-infamous Mel Gibson tapes were leaked, Oksana Grigorieva says she recorded him because she feared for her life, and that his response (or lack thereof) amounts to a trivializing of domestic violence.

Oksana told her unofficial mouthpiece Radar Online all about the custody fight for daughter Lucia, Gibson's vile rants and the disturbing abuse photos.

"I'm devastated. Everybody's devastated," Grigorieva said, adding that with her ex's silence, "I think Mel, basically, is trivializing domestic violence."

"It is unfair that by standing up to somebody - and speaking out - I am being victimized all over again. He has hurt so many people," Oksana said.

Grigorieva says she recorded and saved the phone calls and voicemails from an enraged Gibson that have sparked so much controversy out of fear.

"I didn't think I was going to make it through the night," she explains.

Oksana says Mel needs to tell the truth.

"Everything, by the way, this is really important, all of the tapes that you hear on the Internet, all of them were recorded that one night. The tapes, as you call them, the voicemails, everything was recorded that night because I was in fear for my life."

"I really did not think I was going to make it."

Gibson hasn't publicly commented on Grigorieva's claims, but his attorneys say he did not hit Oksana and have tried to cast doubt on all evidence.

For her part, Oksana denies extortion allegations by Mel's legal team: "It is all false information he is feeding the press. It is a smear campaign."

Saying that a court order prevents her from revealing details, she pleaded to Mel: "Speak the truth, tell the truth, for the sake of your daughter."

Authorities are still investigating both the extortion charge against Oksana Grigorieva, as well as domestic violence claims against Mel Gibson.

Awesome Lindsay Lohan Fan Ambushes Lawyer

It's been a busy week at Lynwood Correctional Facility, the women's prison lucky enough to count Lindsay Lohan among its residents for 10 days and counting.

Yesterday, Lindsay's mom Dina visited with sister Ali, lamenting that her daughter is just a common criminal in the eyes of Lynwood guards and administrators.

She also met with lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley, and then things got interesting ... on Holley's way out, when she fielded questions from reporters.

One person she didn't expect to see? A protester claiming to be Lindsay's #1 superfan, wearing a "LINNOCENT" sweat shirt and screaming out "LOmania!!!!"

Boom box (?!) in hand, the fan asked LiLo's lawyer, "Do you represent public urination victims?" Holley responded by saying, "funnest jail parking lot ever."

Angelina Jolie Drug Photos: Will They Drive Brad Pitt Away?!

Whether she's promoting Salt, spending time with her family or drawing attention humanitarian causes far and wide, Angelina Jolie has looked amazing.

But could a new set photos that show her looking anything but spell the end of her relationship with Brad Pitt? We doubt it, but that's what Star alleges.

Eight quote-unquote never-before-seen graphic Angelina Jolie drug photos - taken by a friend who the star often got high with - have been released.

They are images that she would probably like to forget, and Brad may not be able to forgive.

PHOTOS THAT WILL (PROBABLY NOT) TEAR THEM APART: Not unlike reports of Brad's flings with Jennifer Aniston, it's a good read, but we don't see it happening.

In one photo, the mother of six has black tape over her nipples and a dog leash around her neck. Other shocking pics her during a 14-hour heroin-smoking bender.

Says biographer Andrew Morton, author of Angelina: An Unauthorized Biography:

"The photographs are a startling reminder to Angelina of a period in her life I’m sure she wants to forget, a shady piece of her history that she’s kept hidden away."

Devon James Fails Physical, Pulls Out of Celebrity Boxing Fight

Rough month for Devon James.

Not only was Tiger Woods' mistress basically shot down in her bid to prove the golfer fathered her son Austin T. James (T for Tiger), she had to withdraw from a Celebrity Boxing match last night because she failed the pre-fight physical.

History was still made at the event, however, as it marked the first time the words "pulling out" and "Devon James" were ever used in the same sentence.

James was scheduled to get in the ring with Susan Finkelstein, a woman who posted a Craigslist ad offering sex for Philadelphia Phillies tickets. Classy.

The only ring Devon James is known for is ... forget it.

They really brought out the big guns for this clash of titans. Screech, a.k.a. Saved By The Bell and sex tape star Dustin Diamond, was supposed to ref.

But just before the opening bell, New Jersey EMT's determined that Devon's blood pressure was too high and expressed concern over her poor performance.

In the eyeball reaction test, that is - her performance in other arenas is said to be spectacular, even professional grade. No word if she also failed any polygraphs.

The decision was made at that time to remove her from the fight, leaving the Celebrity Boxing federation to swap in some other random non-celebrity.

Teresa Giudice: Going Dancing With the Stars?

Burdened by financial and legal problems, Teresa Giudice is all about making a fresh start. Making money to climb out of bankruptcy would be a nice bonus.

What better place for a reality star to forget about the fact that she really might go to jail than the shiny hardwood floors of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars?

According to her recent Tweets, she's considering it.

“I am thinking about doing Dancing with the Stars,” she revealed then asked her 80,352 followers if she should go for it. “What do you guys think?”

This implies ABC has approached her about it, as does this Tweet: “Who should I make them give me as a partner? @MaksimC is the hottest, no?”

Yes, Maksim Chmerkovskiy is the hottest. But he's with Erin Andrews, so don't get your hopes up Teresa. Focus on the bankruptcy auction for now.

Teresa Giudice already has the Dancing With the Stars wardrobe down ...

No Real Housewives have joined the cast before, but plenty of reality TV stars - ranging from Kate Gosselin to Kim Kardashian and Jake Pavelka - have.

Will Teresa follow in their footsteps and receive the fame and paycheck she badly needs as a result? We'll see ... though we would prefer Danielle Staub.

Something tells us her moves on that floor would be straight up Raw.

Others rumored to be among the rug-cutting cast this coming season, which begins Monday, September 20: Former NFL quarterback Troy Aikman, Bachelorette star Ali Fedotowsky and Mike Sorrentino, a.k.a. The Situation, of Jersey Shore fame.

Lanesia Garcia: Pregnant By Levi Johnston?!

Already famous for impregnating Bristol Palin two summers ago, Levi Johnston now finds himself embroiled in another baby scandal, according to reports.

The National Enquirer says Levi may have knocked up one of his old girlfriends during the period of estrangement between his two engagements to Bristol.

Levi and Bristol just got back together and engaged, ostensibly out of love and a desire to raise son Tripp together, but also to make some serious loot.

But if his ex-girlfriend, Lanesia Garcia, is really pregnant with his child pregnant - and she believes Levi is the daddy - that could be a tough obstacle.

Of course, it's still very much unclear if the child was sired by the Playgirl model. To put it nicely, Lanesia apparently gets around ... like a record.

BABY DADDY RELOADED? Levi better hope he shot blanks this time.

“Levi insists the baby isn’t his, but no one really knows,” a source said. “Levi is one of three possible fathers with Lanesia the probably week of conception.”

Three in one week? Wow, she sounds like a girl who really has her act together. Guess there's not a lot to do in Alaska ... well, besides Lanesia Garcia.

Still, friends of Bristol Palin say she is “heartbroken” after learning her fiancé might become a baby daddy with another girl, Radar Online reports today.

A Palin family rep says that “no official decision has been made” about the future of the couple, who are now communicating only “by text message.”

We can't wait until Sarah gets on Twitter to comment on this. Her critique of Obama for going on The View this week will seem tame by comparison.

Oksana Grigorieva Black Eye Photo Questioned

Oksana Grigorieva's accusations of domestic violence may or may not be backed by witnesses who she says saw the argument in which Mel Gibson hit her.

Until that happens, however, much of the "evidence" she claims implicates the actor remains suspect - including the new photo of Oksana with a black eye.

The fact that the photo surfaced just this week is odd.

According to sources close to the situation, the idea that Oksana held back the photo on purpose during the couple's custody mediation in May is "absurd."

As one source said, "She produced photos of her mouth showing the damage to her veneers, she testified in great detail about the January 6 incident."

"If she had a black eye she would have said it."

So is she exaggerating or lying about the attack and fabricating evidence? That seems to be the implication, at least from this particular TMZ source.

The insider says, on the financial end, Oksana "held every piece of damaging evidence" over his head - notably the now-infamous Mel Gibson tapes.

That produced a $15 million deal she agreed to but later left on the table. The source said, "If there was a black eye it would have been $16 million."

Also, the settlement included a confidentiality agreement, meaning it would have done Oksana no good to withhold evidence she could never use.

Even more glaring doubts are cast by medical professionals.

Oksana supposedly emailed her lawyer about the attack right afterward, but sources also say the day after the alleged incident, Oksana's dentist never mentioned a black eye. Two days later, a pediatrician she saw also failed to observe it.

Dina Lohan: Lindsay Treated Like a "Common Criminal" in the Slammer

If you were worried that Lindsay Lohan was getting the VIP treatment in prison, don't be. The star's mom Dina, who visited her yesterday, says it's not true.

Dina went to see Lindsay with her sister Ali Lohan and her ex, Samanthan Ronson, then slammed reports that the 24-year-old is enjoying perks behind bars.

"She doesn't have cell phone privileges, that's absurd," Dina said, referring to reports no one actually printed. "She doesn't even have a pillow to sleep on."

Aww. Sad. They can't even touch each other, either!

"I talk to her through glass. There's a phone and we put her on speaker. I can't even hug my daughter," Dina laments. "She's treated like a common criminal."

Which she is. One who drives drunk and recklessly, then can't even make it to one freaking alcohol education meeting a week. She got hers. Just saying.

Lindsay has the support of her mom and sister, who we expect will be in Lynwood Correctional Facility herself one day. [Photos: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com]

Dina acknowledged, however, that Lindsay is being treated well: "I have to say that the people inside have been pretty cool to her, guards and the inmates."

The Mean Girls star has been behind bars since July 20. The date of her release from jail is still unclear, although it is likely to be sooner rather than later.

Whenever she leaves, the star must report to rehab immediately. Her lawyer is trying to get her a temporary delay before checking in, but don't bet on it.

In any event, Lohan will likely be out of the slammer in under three weeks. Not bad for a 90-day jail sentence. Hopefully it's long enough to learn a lesson.

Sarah Palin Rips Barack Obama Visit to The View

Yesterday's appearance by Barack Obama on The View was not warmly greeted by some of the President's critics who questioned the nature of the visit.

Chief among said critics: Sarah Palin. Ripping his decision to sit down for a light interview on daytime TV amid myriad national crises, Palin Twittered:

"President with no time to visit porous US/Mexican border to offer help to those risking life to secure us, but lotso’ time to chat on The View? ... I’m headed to border in near future. Let’s see how quickly his travel schedule will allow that border visit after all.”

It might be a compelling point, if it weren't Sarah Palin.

Sarah Palin questions our President's commitment to public service.

The former Alaska Governor is referring to the region's drug wars and the debate over immigration in this country, and whether Obama should be on The View during such turbulent - or any - times is a subject many have raised, and not without validity.

With our nation burdened by two wars, immigration upheaval, rampant unemployment and the worst ecological disaster of all time, seeing our Commander-in-Chief chatting about Lindsay Lohan and Jay-Z is not as charming as it once was.

Let's not forget, though, that this criticism is coming from a woman who quit after less than a term as Alaska Governor to pursue lucrative, self-serving endeavors such as writing a memoir of her distinguished "career" and posing for In Touch Weekly.

That's her right, of course, and good for her. But for a woman clearly in love with her own celebrity and more interested in fulfilling Sarah Palin's every whim than in public service, criticism of one interview by the President is laughable.

Jersey Shore Season Two Premiere Recap: Gym, Tan, Smush, Huh?

The greatness/awfulness that is Jersey Shore is back. As advertised, Season 2 features a new shore (pity Miami Beach), but the same crazy. And then some.

We were concerned that the cast's celebrity status would diminish the show's luster, but the genuineness of these characters (for better or worse) was there.

So was the entertainment. While predictable, it was great to have The Situation, Snooki, Pauly D, J-Woww, Ronnie, Sammi, Vinny and that other girl back.

Here's The Hollywood Gossip's scientific plus-minus recap ...

En route to pick up the Sitch, Pauly D sums up Northeast winters: "Can't do nothin' in this weather. Can't tan, can't creep ... Girls stay in the house." Plus 5.

A dark brown Snooki laments that she no longer tans since "Obama put a 10% tax on tanning." Pretty sure that doesn't take effect until like 2014. Minus 4.

JWoww and Snooki ridicule Angelina's self-proclaimed "Kim Kardashian of Staten Island" moniker. "With what ass?" JWoww muses. A valid point. Plus 3.

No one expected Angelina Pivarnick back this season. She awkwardly greets Pauly D and The Situation, who reluctantly let her bunk with them. Minus 1.

Down south, Snooki discovers "life-changing" fried pickles. They did look good. Plus 2. That dude in the restaurant gets a Plus 1 for his fist-pump, too.

Ronnie and Sammi reunite. The tension is thick, lame and boring. This is totally going to be a drawn-out, painful Audrina-Justin kind of thing. Minus 7.

Pauly D does a quick pro-con on the Angelina situation: She's annoying and causes drama, but there could be a slow night with no chicks, so ... Plus 18.

While the guys are awkward but mostly tolerant of Angelina, the girls are ready to full-on brawl. Holy crap, JWoww needs to lay off the steroids. Minus 5.

As a general rule, it's hard not to smile at what a blast the guys are having with this show. The girls, meanwhile, just come off miserable and catty. Even.

Cons: Annoying drama queen. Pros: Easily accessible.

Lending a hand scrubbing in the sink after a DISASTER involving Sammi’s FAVORITE white shorts, Snooki says "I feel like a pilgrim from the freakin' '20s." Plus 6.

An intoxicated Ronnie calls Sammi an "ungrateful c**t" and says she will "never f*%king win." Win what, you effing moron? Get over yourself. Minus 13.

Vinny sums up the night: "Ronnie's obliviated at this point." Plus 6.

The Situation: "Ron is at the club hooking up with grenades, which is a bigger ugly chick, and land mines, which is a thinner ugly chick, and ... loving life." Plus 11.

Sure enough, Ronnie mauls one of each. Minus 8 for the nasty close-up.

An additional Plus 12 for the previews of future episodes. Wow.

Shaquille O'Neal and Justin Bieber: Unexpected

Take this, Westboro Baptist Church!

You can call Justin Bieber a sinner and an affront to God all you'd like, but you can't hold the young singer down!

Instead of wallowing in such absurd insults, Bieber is moving ahead with his career, looking to expand his audience by appearing on season two of Shaq Vs.

In that reality show, the NBA legend takes on a variety of celebrities in their fields of expertise, from athletics to dancing to cooking. In Justin's case, of course, this means singing, something O'Neal attempts to do below, joining in with Bieber for a duet during the latter's concert rehearsal in Phoenix.

American Idol Upheaval: Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi Out, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler In?

American Idol is apparently cleaning house.

Talk of who will fill Simon Cowell's vacant seat on the hit show's panel now shifts to who will replace the other two departing judges: Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi will not be returning next season either, according to reports.

DeGeneres, who joined the show in its ninth season earlier this year, confirmed in a statement that she told Fox it "didn’t feel like the right fit for me.”

“I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and would hold off until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next," she said. "It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for.”

The class act added: “I loved the experience working on Idol, am very grateful for the year I had, am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be.”

In the same statement, American Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller says, “I loved Ellen’s passion for the artists and her nurturing skills. She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly."

Next year's American Idol roster will look a lot different.

But here's where it gets interesting: TMZ reports that Kara DioGuardi has been fired from the program, which will return to a three-judge format.

Fox has not acknowledged Kara's departure in a statement, but it appears it's all but official. That leaves Randy Jackson as the last man standing.

The show will reportedly be going back to a three-judge panel of Randy and a couple of high-profile newcomers: Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

This so-called "nuclear option" of blowing up nearly the entire panel has been kicked around for months, but nevertheless comes as a surprise.

Stars ranging from Harry Connick, Jr., to Bret Michaels, Chris Isaak and even Jessica Simpson have been rumored to be negotiating for the job.

Looks like J. Lo and the Aerosmith frontman won out.

The only way Kara could be asked back would be if the Lopez deal fell apart, but TMZ's sources claim it is already a done deal. Crazy stuff!

Bethenny Taking Care of a Newborn Baby?

Last week on the show with the most unnecessary punctuation mark in history - Bethenny Getting Married? - the titular star gave birth to daughter Bryn.

This week, she actually had to take care of Bryn. The celebration of life continued, sure. But would the struggles of caring for a newborn overwhelm her?

Take it away, THG Real Housewives correspondent....

Ah, the sweet and precious introduction of a new reality television star. This time it’s a one-day-old baby who is about as big as an artichoke.

This is little Bryn Hoppy, Bethenny and Jason’s daughter. She was born five weeks early and is a cute little pipsqueak. Her parents are, of course, totally in love. This episode marked a change in Bethenny - away from non-stop snark and fast-paced sarcasm and towards sweet, goo-goo baby love bliss and sleep-deprived incoherence.

At the beginning, Jason’s parents came to visit their new grandchild at Lenox Hill Hospital, evidently the hospital where all the rich people go in New York City.

Bethenny announces the baby’s name is Bryn, after Jason’s late brother, Bryan.

Jason’s mom is very emotional and it’s a sweet moment. But then Bethenny makes us laugh again as she and Jason wrangle with the new breast pump.

She says, “I never thought that when I was in da club with Jason that he would be my breast pumping assistant.” I love Bethenny’s ability to keep us laughing, even when she was crying the moment before.

Little Bryn is so teeny-tiny and adorable.

She reminded me of my beloved ‘80s-vintage Cabbage Patch Preemie as Jason gently rubs her back and whispers to her about all they will do in the future—dance classes, yes, but basketball and golf too. “My little chickpea,” Jason calls Bryn.

He makes Bethenny laugh until we fear she’ll pop a stitch. This new family is definitely in a good place. No signs of postpartum nuttiness from Bethenny, at least not yet. She doesn’t seem the type to go all Brooke Shields on us.