Mel Gibson finds unlikely ally in Britney Spears

Mel Gibson finds unlikely ally in Britney Spears. Mel Gibson has an unlikely ally during his custody battle with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva: Britney Spears.

Spears and Gibson are reportedly in frequent communication, according to a friend of the pop star, who spoke to In Touch Weekly. “Mel has been talking to her a lot, they speak on the phone,” said the source.

Mel Gibson helped Britney Spears when she was down, and now she's returning the favor

Although a Spears-Gibson connection seems to be out of left field, remember that the two vacationed together in Costa Rica in May 2008, and Gibson and his then-wife, Robyn, also reached out to Spears after her hospitalization in February of the same year.

“Mel was one of the only people who reached out to help Britney when she was at her lowest point, and she believes that demonstrates what a loving and wonderful man he is,” said the source. “She wants people to give him a second chance — just like he gave her one when everyone else turned away.”

Dean McDermott plans to ride again

Fans of Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling are well aware that his motorcycle racing is a source of consternation for Spelling, so when McDermott punctured his lung in a dirt-bike crash June 29, he felt pretty emotional.

“All I could think of was my family,” McDermott told Us Weekly. “I knew I’d be less of a dad for a while. I’m lucky I have Tori.”

Even though he had quite a scare, McDermott hasn’t decided to quit his hobby.

“When I get on a bike, I might be so scared s--tless I’ll never ride again,” he told the magazine. “At the same time, I’d love to maintain my pleasure riding.” (He hopes to be on his motorcycle for an Aug. 7 Ride for Autism charity event.)

Still, if his wife demanded he stop, McDermott said, “I’d give it up.”

Said Spelling: “I don’t tell him what to do.”

Matchmaker’s message to ‘Housewives’: Stop singing

“Millionaire Matchmaker” host Patti Stanger has some harsh words for “Real Housewives of New Jersey” archenemy Danielle Staub, at least when it comes to Staub’s budding singing career.

“Yeah, that’s ridiculous,” Stanger said of "Real Close," Staub's single. “Don’t quit (your) day job.”

Stanger spoke to TODAYshow.com Monday from House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year event in New York, hosted by "Flipping Out" star Jeff Lewis. She extended her message to the entire “Real Housewives” franchise.

“These housewives really need to stop making records,” Stanger said, referring not just to Staub, but to singing castmate LuAnn de Lesseps. “If you really are going to sing, you need to sing a cappella and hit the money. If you’re not Celine Dion, get out of the park.”

That said, Stanger might be hitting the recording studio herself: She said she’ll be getting a singing lesson from Taylor Dayne in an upcoming episode of her show.

“I will sing, sing,” Stanger said. “I wouldn’t do it any other way, and Taylor Dayne is my goddess.”

But though Stanger doesn’t support Staub's singing career, when it comes to the "Real Housewives" show, she is on Team Danielle in the season’s big altercation between Staub and rival housewife Teresa Giudice.

“I think Teresa wanted her moment, I think Teresa wanted to be a star,” Stanger said. “As much as I know Caroline (Manzo) hates (Danielle), I gotta call it like I see it.” ( msn.com )