Only Britney and Anna Bigger Than Ricki!

Who'd have thunk it? The latest issue of Us Weekly, with a swimsuit-clad Ricki Lake on the cover, was the third most popular story on the mag's website ever -- behind only Britney Spears shaving her head and the death of Anna Nicole Smith. Nice company to be in, Ricki!

"I f--king love the cover! It's amazing!" she told Usmagazine.com. "So many people from my past have come forward telling me how great I looked, and it has been an overwhelming response. I am thrilled with everything and love the way I look on the cover and in the magazine."

Just goes to show you: America loves a good weight loss story ... but just slightly less than a nervous breakdown and an accidental overdose.