Morning Links

Train-wreck Britney Spears, whose career has imploded in recent years, has been confirmed by MTV as the opening act for their Video Music Awards, which airs live on Sunday. Of course, who knows if Britney will be singing her new single "Gimme More" live, especially after being caught performing with a tape earlier this year during an impromptu concert at the House of Blues in San Diego. It won't matter, because "Mindfreak" illusionist Criss Angel will be on stage with her, presumably using smoke and mirrors to trick us into thinking she still has any talent or appeal left?

And speaking of MTV train-wrecks... The network that once had everyone singing "I want my MTV" has continued its decline into cesspool programming, announcing a new bisexual dating show called "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila." Ms. Tequila is a MySpace phenom who holds the record for most friends on the social networking site, and apparently will be living in a mansion with 16 guys and 16 girls, all trying to win her affection.

* Paris Hilton continues to attract attention in Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival. The paparazzi have been following her as she shops, eats and parties. Apparently, the biggest celebrities aren't in town yet, because The Toronto Star is scraping the barrel when they are telling us about Jimmy Buffett buying sweats at a Roots store. Really?! Jimmy Buffett's buying sweats! OMG!

* So much for wholesome, clean-cut appearances... Vanessa Hudgens, one of the stars of Disney's "High School Musical" franchise has a nude photo circulating, according to TMZ.com. Disney has taken painstaking care in preserving the image of it's HSM stars for the tweens and parents who made the made-for-TV movie the highest rated basic-cable show ever, but this will be a scandal for sure. With a third installment in discussion, we'll have to wonder whether Gabriella Montez is still in Troy's future.

* Continuing their hip-hop feud, Kanye West and 50 Cent will both appear and perform on BET's "106 & Park" on Tuesday, the day that both have a new CD hitting the streets. 50 Cent previously has said he will retire as a rap performer and stick to writing and producing if Kanye West outsells his CD in the first week.

* Madonna was apparently paid a visit on Wednesday by Malawi's chief social welfare official at her home in London to check up on now-toddling David Banda -- the young boy she has tried to adopt with husband Guy Ritchie.

-- Dave Valenzuela