Breakups

The Pam Anderson/Kid Rock split is not about kids. It's not about money. It's not about houses. It's about image.

I'm told Kid's process server was on the courthouse steps before the doors opened yesterday. His divorce documents were stamped at 8:35 AM, five minutes after the clerk's office opened for business. Pam's process server followed 53 minutes later.

What each tried to do was tell the public that one left the other first. Image-conscious stars care a lot about looking desirable. Hey, who doesn't? Looking like you were dumped isn't sexytime.

There is plenty of anger in this split, but it's not going to be a war. The divorce itself will be handled with dispatch. The only real disagreement is over when they officially separated. Pam says they parted company on November 21. Kid says it was November 26. In an ordinary divorce, the date of separation often becomes an issue because it affects who gets what; in this case, there's no prenup and no real dispute over splitting coin, so the date is irrelevant. Again, it's all about image.

TMZ has learned that Pamela Anderson has filed for divorce from husband Kid Rock.

Anderson, who is represented by celebrity hotshot lawyer Neal Hersh, cited irreconcilable differences.

The couple was married August 3, 2006. Earlier this month, Anderson suffered a miscarriage.

It looks like there was a rush to the courthouse. Kid Rock also filed divorce papers this morning, 53 minutes before her docs were stamped by the clerk.

Sources tell TMZ both Pam and Kid were in a race to get their papers filed first. The process server for Kid was at the courthouse when it opened at 8:30 AM and filed five minutes later.

Interestingly, Pam and Kid Rock gave different dates of separation. She says they split on November 21. He says November 26.

We've learned there was not a prenup, however, the two were married for such a brief period of time it will probably have little impact.

Pam's website offers a short statement confirming the divorce, saying "Yes, it's true. Unfortunately impossible."

Britney's back, and the newest bachelorette is popping up (and out) everywhere. It started with her drive-by appearance on Letterman on the night before filing divorce papers. The very next night, she was caught at a New York City Gap store shopping for cotton thong panties and clothes for an evening of ice skating at Rockefeller Center with an old friend ...

That old friend was her former manager, Larry Rudolph, the man who transformed Britney from former Mouseketeer into America's reigning Pop Princess. His relationship with Brit was solid until K-Fed came along. Kevin reportedly had a problem with Larry, and Brit chose Fed over Rudolph. Just one night after she left K-Fed, she reunited with Rudolph; it appears they were in talks before Brit's split.

Now, old television commercials for Britney's fragrances have begun popping up in time for the holidays, and rumors of musical collaborations with the likes of Pharrell, and a surprise appearance at last night's AMAs, are signs that the hard-working Britney Spears is definitely back. One thing she's retained from her K-Fed days; that awful gum-chewing. At least she tucked her gum to one side of her mouth while she presented the AMA to Mary J. Blige. Classy.

Meanwhile, there are rumors of a surprise superstar appearance at Los Angeles radio station 102.7 KIIS FM's annual concert, Jingle Ball. Our guess: It's gonna be Brit.

Britney Spears is in for a rough ride in her divorce from creepy Kevin Federline. She's about to learn an ugly lesson about celebrity divorces.

Make no mistake about it -- Federline has no interest in getting custody of the couple's two children. Sure, he's asking for custody, but it's all a thinly veiled attempt to extort money from Spears.

The word in Hollywood is that Britney loved partying before she had kids. My only encounter with Spears -- maybe two years before she got married -- was at a gym where she seemed completely oblivious to her celebrity -- chewing gum, dancing and clearly up for a good time, whenever. People I know who know her well say she was a sweet but wild girl.

Enter Federline. He partied with Britney and knows things she probably doesn't want public. And that would probably make her the same as anyone in a relationship. The difference is that Britney's secrets would get huge media play, and Kevin knows it.

Chris Robinson has filed for divorce from his wife of nearly six years, actress Kate Hudson.

Powerhouse disso-queen lawyer Laura Wasser filed papers Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Robinson's behalf, citing "irreconcilable differences." The couple, who married in December of 2000, has a two-year-old son named Ryder. Robinson is seeking joint custody. As for financial matters, TMZ has learned the couple has a prenup and that Robinson is not seeking spousal support.

Robinson and Hudson announced their separation back in August 2006. At the time, rumors swirled that Hudson was romantically involved with her "You, Me, and Dupree" co-star, Owen Wilson. Both Hudson and Wilson have denied that they're an item.

Robinson's lawyer, Laura Wasser, is also repping Britney Spears in her divorce from Kevin Federline.

Chris Rock and wife Malaak Compton-Rock were seen together last night at the Living Legends Foundation 13th Annual Dinner. The couple arrived arm in arm, which begs the question: Are they working on a reconciliation? As TMZ was first to report two weeks ago, Chris began divorce proceedings against his wife on November 3.

Rock, who referred to getting married as "shooting yourself in the head," may just be pulling the trigger again. Sources close to the couple tell TMZ that papers were never actually filed and it looks like the Rocks have iced their issues.

While Chris' rep, Leslie Sloane Zelnik, would not comment on his personal life, she did confirm to TMZ that both Chris and Malaak will be together in Vegas this weekend at The Comedy Festival, where Rock will be given 'The Comedian' award. Contrary to published reports, Chris is not performing. He is only attending the Festival to accept the honor.

Why would a girl risk the possibility of becoming Queen of England by playing hard to get?

After kicking Prince William to the curb for reportedly having a drunken make-out session with another lass, the future King of England's 4-year girlfriend, Kate Middleton, has apparently come to her senses.

According to British reports, Kate decided to take back her allegedly promiscuous prince after having a serious heart-to-heart with her mum. We're assuming the conversation went something like this: "'ELLO!?! YOU COULD BE THE BLEEDIN' QUEEN, YA TWIT!!!"

Sir Paul's estranged wife arrived stateside amidst a messy divorce from the former Beatle. Earlier this month, London tabs leaked what they claim are court documents from Mills' camp, detailing alleged physical abuse by McCartney, who vigorously denied the allegations. The sparring Brits have a daughter, Beatrice.

In a recent BBC Radio interview, Paul said he hopes a "certain dignity" will be maintained throughout the divorce. A little late.

Miss Mills' "EXTRA" interview will air next week.

But, the "story" has moved beyond obscure blog sites and message boards onto the digital pages of the Philadelphia Daily News. Their headline exclaims: "K-Fed dangling Brit sex video in custody row." According to a British tabloid, Federline is allegedly using a tape of the former couple engaged in various demonstrations of, ahem, showing their love for each other. This whole affair reminded me of my law school days and in particular a legal theory called "extortion." We've all heard the term thrown around movies, tv shows and news stories. But, what does it really mean? Well, under the California Penal Code, it means the following:

"Extortion is the obtaining of property from another, with his consent, or the obtaining of an official act of a public officer,
induced by a wrongful use of force or fear, or under color of official right."

The Code further defines "fear":

"Fear, such as will constitute extortion, may be induced by a threat, either:

1. To do an unlawful injury to the person or property of the individual threatened or of a third person; or,
2. To accuse the individual threatened, or any relative of his, or member of his family, of any crime; or,
3. To expose, or to impute to him or them any deformity, disgrace or crime; or,
4. To expose any secret affecting him or them."

So, let's read all this together in plain English. A person could be found guilty of extortion by obtaining the property of another (for example, money) by wrongful use of fear caused from threats of exposing "disgrace" or "any secret" about the person who is handing over the property to avoid the exposure. So, basically, if I were to say to someone "give me money" or I'll tell the world about your secret, whether that secret is a "disgraceful" one or not, I could be found guilty of extortion and sent to jail. To wit, if someone was separating from a major music star who is poised for a big comeback, it is quite likely that any little secrets they had about naughty sexual romps, particularly if captured on video tape, could instill some "fear" in a star who didn't want the world to know about these kinds of exploits.

Justin Timberlake was spotted over the weekend at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. While picking up his black BMW from the valet, a photog asked the pop star, "Do you have anything to say about the recent divorce of Britney and Kevin?"

JT shot back, "Yeah, there's a war going on in Iraq."

Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and along with the plentiful servings of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, celeb-watchers know that there's another dish best served right around this holiday -- couples drama.

Last year, of course, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey announced that they were splitting up -- on Thanksgiving Day no less, causing glossy-magazine editors and showbiz news show producers no end of grief. Then, after spending a much-buzzed-about weekend at a spa in Arizona, Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston were pulled over on suspicion that Vaughn was driving under the influence (though no charges were filed). Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, still in the first blossom of romance, made a high-profile do-gooding trip to Pakistan to visit earthquake victims over the holiday, making their archrivals Vaughniston look positively sybaritic by comparison.

TMZ has learned Kevin Federline was speaking to his lawyer about divorcing Britney Spears more than a month before she filed legal papers to end the marriage.

Sources say Federline was communicating with attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan, talking about divorcing Spears and angling to cash in on her fortune. Federline's right to money is extremely limited because of the prenup. TMZ knows the terms of the prenup, and they are not good news for K-Fed. We're told the only thing he'll get is less than 20% of the value of the couple's Malibu estate, valued at approximately $10 million, and spousal support for one year. We're told the support he'll get is less than $250,000.

As for reports that Britney e-mailed her hubby to inform him that she was about to file divorce papers, it simply is not true. Sources tell us that the couple has not been speaking for weeks, but e-mailing each other. She did not, however, talk about divorce in those e-mails. K-Fed learned of the divorce at the time TMZ broke the story that Spears had filed.

Sources say that at least for now, Spears will not comment on K-Fed's plan to fight her for custody of their two children. We know, however, that Spears sees K-Fed's move as nothing more than an attempt to score some money. He's banking on Spears forking over dough to avoid a fight; an unlikely outcome -- given the fact that she's represented by legal pit bull Laura Wasser. Also, if K-Fed got custody, he'd be entitled to a significant amount in child support.

TMZ obtained Witherspoon's divorce petition, in which the actress is asking the court for joint legal custody of the couple's two children. Reese is asking for primary physical custody.

Witherspoon is asking the judge to block any attempt on Phillippe's part to get spousal support.

Reese is asking the judge to allow her "exclusive use of the family residence."

As TMZ reported, the couple does not have a prenup, which means earnings during the marriage will be divided 50/50.

The couple was married for seven years. They met at Reese's 21st birthday party.

Witherspoon lists the date of separation as October 30, citing "irreconcilable differences."

It's been a grueling year for celebrity relationships, and as we reach TMZ's one-year anniversary, we'd like to take a moment to remember the Tinseltown relationships that didn't make it through the year. This year's breakups have been some of the messiest, saddest and most shocking splits to hit La La Land.

Most recently Britney Spears won back millions of fans by ditching her dead beat husband Kevin Federline. Britney filed for divorce this week in Los Angeles citing "irreconcilable differences," but most people blame K-Fed's embarrassing attempt at a rap album, bad hygiene and constant partying. The burning question -- how much dough will Federline dance away with?

Britney wasn't the only pop sensation to say "I don't" this year. Former "Newlyweds" Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey announced their split in November, 2005. The two didn't have a pre-nup. In the end, they settled out of court, and Nick walked away with a lot less from Jess, sans stress.

Rosie kicked off the episode talking about "the day after" and how she was "over the moon excited" -- a veiled reference to the election results from yesterday. But no, Rosie had other things on her mind -- Britney kicking K-Fed to the curb! Rosie shouted out the news and screamed out "Confetti!" as tons of streamers fell from the ceiling. You want election coverage, turn to CNN. You want Britney love, check out "The View."

Fed-bashing wasn't limited to The View. "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno took a shot at the former couple during his election night monologue as well.