Juicy

As I rang in the new year to the sounds of Britney Spears' "Gimme More," I couldn't help but think about the turbulent past year of celebrity gossip and wonder what 2008 would bring to the table.

I predict the new year will follow suit and be filled with surprises, but there is also hope for some of our favorite trouble makers, as maybe a fresh start is just what they needed to make a change.

2008 has already proved to be shocking, with the death of two young actors in two days. The death of Academy Award nominated actor Heath Ledger on Tuesday was announced on every network, from E! to CNN, but less know was the death of 25-year-old Brad Renfro just the day before. Renfro was best known for his work as a child in "The Client" with Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones and "Tom and Huck" with Jonathan Taylor Thomas. After his successful movie career, he appeared on shows like "Law and Order," but his personal life was clouded by allegations of drug and alcohol abuse. Renfro was found in his Los Angeles home after a night of partying with friends. The cause of death is still unknown, according to People.

In mid-December, news outlets everywhere were ditching politics and stocks to discuss yet another Spears saga, but this time it was the younger sister stealing air time. When 16-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears announced her pregnancy, even soccer moms were tuning in because the Nickelodeon star has so much influence on young girls.

People magazine reported Spears and boyfriend Casey Aldridge are following a five-point-plan pregnancy, which involves staying out of the spotlight and finishing her GED. Also, unlike her ever-present sibling, Jamie Lynn and her mother, Lynne Spears, are closer than ever and enjoy taking parenting classes. Finally, despite rumors of a break-up, Jamie Lynn and Aldridge are still together, but will not rush to the altar.

Speaking of young Hollywood and their offspring, Harlow Winter Kate Madden, the daughter of Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, was born on Jan. 11. Since she found out she was pregnant in July, Richie changed her outlook on life and all of Hollywood is watching. Richie told Diane Sawyer, "I would really want to be someone my child would look up to."

After her DUI in December, Richie's good friend Mischa Barton didn't hesitate to apologize on Ryan Seacrest's radio show, taking complete responsibility for her actions, People reported.

"I'm really disappointed in myself," said Barton. "I don't know what to say about it, except that I'm not perfect, and I just don't ever intend to do something this stupid again." It seems that since "good girls" like Miley Cyrus, Rihanna and Ashley Tisdale are ruling 2008 so far, many girls are trying to change their reputations.

A new year also means a new "American Idol." But in this case, they should follow the saying "less is more," because the winner will probably be a disappointment again. This season has the lowest rating in four years, according to Nielsen data. "Idol" was seen by an average of 33.2 million viewers on average thus far, down 11 percent from last year.

Aside from having low ratings, winners and runners up are also being dropped from their labels left and right because of low record sales, proving even though they are chosen by America, Idols - with the exception of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry - can't cut it in the music industry.

In the last three weeks alone, Sony BMG has dropped three "Idol" contestants from the label .The latest to be dropped is season five runner-up Katharine McPhee, whose debut album sold about 365,000 copies, according to AOL Television.

Also dropped from Sony record labels were winners Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard. Hicks was the first winner that did not sell 1 million copies of their debut album. As for Studdard, his 2006 album "The Return" sold only 230,000 copies.

The only solid prediction for 2008 is that it will be unpredictable, but will also promise to be entertaining as usual.

Contact Sara Grant at

Sara.Grant@UConn.edu.