During the past year countless celebs have offered Britney Spears words of advice or provided their opinion on the starlet's mess. Well, add Mel Gibson to the ever-growing list of celebrity Britney supporters.

The two were spotted dining at a Russian restaurant after Brit's visit with her two sons -- 2-year old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James -- this past weekend. This meeting, apparently, was not the first between the two since her release from the hospital last month. A source close to the star told PEOPLE that both Gibson and his wife, Robin, took an interest in helping Britney and her family through this difficult time.

In other Britney news, the Los Angeles court commissioner Scott Gordon ruled that the pop-trauma's laundry list of troubles have led to delays, therefore she must fork over $375,000 to pay for K-Fed's legal fees.

After months of soap-opera-like drama, Britney Spears will get another chance to flex her acting muscles when she returns to the small screen in an upcoming episode of the hit comedy 'How I Met Your Mother.'

The pop princess, whose only previous sitcom experience was a cameo as a Christian talk-show host on a 2006 episode of ' Will & Grace,' will play Abby, a dorky receptionist, in an episode set to air on March 24.

"Everyone, including the cast, the crew and the producers, has been wonderful and Abby is such a fun girl to play," Spears said in a statement. "I'm having a blast!"

In other Spears news, the singer's new video for 'Break the Ice,' the third single off 2007's Blackout, will make its online debut tonight on www.blackoutball.com. The video, which was made in South Korea, features a Japanese anime version of the singer in a futuristic world.

We didn't think that it could possibly get any worse for Britney Spears. But, we all know how that goes. Spears has been receiving threatening letters from an unidentified stalker. Apparently, the crazed "fan" mail has frightened the already troubled star to the point that she has called upon the FBI to investigate and protect her.

Sources close to the singer say Spears was sent several death threats, a letter explaining how to make a bomb and even a shiny new sex toy. While Britney has reportedly requested an investigation by the federal agency, an FBI spokesperson announced that they "cannot comment on ongoing investigations."

After being separated from her children for six months, Britney Spears has regained supervised visitation rights with her two sons -- 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James.

The initial reunion between mother and sons was monitored by Brit Brit's father and current conservator of her estate, a court-appointed supervisor, one of ex-husband Kevin Federline's security guards and a lawyer from Luce Forward -- the firm representing Spears in the custody battle for her sons. Britney has currently had two visits with her sons and is expected to be given a more regular visitation schedule in the coming weeks.

Since Spears checked out from a brief hospital stay, her father, Jamie, was granted co-conservatorship over her estate, and the two have salvaged their relationship. The father-daughter duo were spotted dining at Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills immediately after a visit from Britney's sons. Also in attendance was an assistant, a family friend and two personal bodyguards.

Britney Spears has been on her best behavior -- relatively speaking, of course -- since her early release from the hospital, and the L.A. Superior court believes her family is to thank.

To that end, L.A. Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz has extended Britney's father, Jamie Spears, role as co-conservator. He also appointed Britney's brother, Bryan, to deal with Brit's day-to-day expenses.

On February 1, Jamie and Britney's lawyer, Andrew Wallet, were granted control over Britney's estimated $100 million fortune, and at the most recent hearing, the two were given permission to complete Britney's tax forms. The co-conservatorship also permits Jamie and Wallet to hire security for the trouble pop star and control her visitors. Since their appointment, the two have been fighting for a restraining order against longtime friend/manager Sam Lutfi, who Britney's mother, Lynne, has accused of "drugging and verbally abusing her daughter." Read Full Story

One thing is for sure: The enigma that is Britney Spears will live on forever.

After a whirlwind few months for the fallen star, punctuated with at home custody stand-offs, trips in a variety of emergency vehicles and residencies in hospitals and psych wards, Britney is back in the real world. But the tornado of tumult has one politician championing legal protection for Spears and other troubled stars against the evil-doers we call the paparazzi.

Dennis Zine is proposing a 20-yard "personal safety bubble" for photog targets, prompting a debate by Los Angeles city council members to decide whether or not stars should be "licensed" for protection. When "police cars and helicopters all [become] involved, [it becomes] a hazard to both celebrities and ordinary people," Zine said last week in defense of what people are calling the 'Britney Law.'

Our favorite part? Celebs who register would have to wear an ankle bracelet with a global positioning system transmitter. GPS is so hot right now.

Outrageous Britney Pics

Having not been able to care for her own children as of late due to her erratic behavior and intermittent court appearances, it appears that Britney Spears may be experiencing baby withdrawal. And what better way to simultaneously exorcise her demons and exercise her mommy skills than on the dance floor, right?

The 26-year-old pop star surprised children at Hollywood's Millennium Dance Complex on Monday, where she showed up to teach them dance routines soundtracked by Madonna songs, including 'Material Girl' and 'True Blue.' Studio co-owner Robert Baker said that Spears showed up in "brown cowboy boots, fishnet stockings [and] a red short skirt" -- arguably innappropriate for a group of five-year-olds. However, Baker did say that she "had them dancing in a circle like a choo-choo train" and that the "kids loved it -- they are having a ball right now."

Spears has reportedly visited Millennium several times since being released from the psych ward. As Baker explained, "she feels that it's important to give back to the dance community." So much so that she's considering teaching the class every other week. They should probably draft up some sort of permission slip for this, right?

Britney Spears' behavior has become so wildy erratic that it has caused people to speculate that she's manipulating the media. 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell, who once "really felt for her," now says that while "everyone thinks it's breakdown ... From the kind of stunts she's pulling now, I think she is the puppet master and completely in control." He went on to advise, "If you don't want to get any press attention, just keep your head down, don't drive yourself anywhere and sit in the back of blacked-out limousine."

While doubters like Cowell have a point, recent antics have taken her case to the "next level" of alarm. Stints in rehab are one thing for celebs, but stints in psych wards are a different story. Rolling Stone features the embattled star on the cover of their March issue, telling a deeply troubling tale of "Britney goes to the mall," which has Spears screaming "F--- these bitches!" to sales clerks and foaming at the mouth during dressing room fits. Perhaps the most affecting part, however, is the 25-year-old's response to a fan who mustered up the courage to ask her for an autograph. "I don't know who you think I am, b----," she responded, "but I'm not that person." Read an excerpt of the story.

Stars Talk Britney

Last week, the very, very imaginable happened: Britney Spears was committed to a mental hospital. And while the original plan of treatment had her leaving the hospital after a standard 72-hour evaluation, a source close to the star has revealed that Spears will be spending a bit more time with the doctors at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Under California state law, if a person is found to be gravely disabled or a danger to themselves or others, a hospital is allowed to keep the patient for further medical treatment. So Britney will stay put and likely miss her custody hearing scheduled for today. Her father, Jamie Spears, who has been given temporary power over his daughter and her finances, is said to be covering for her in court. Read the full story.

Latest Britney Pics

Britney Spears was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance from her home early Thursday morning. Little information has been released as to where and why the singer was escorted out of her home, but the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Spears is being retained for a "mental evaluation."

This is the second time the troubled singer was taken from her home. The first incident occurred on January 3, after a three-hour custody struggle with ex-husband Kevin Federline. She was detained at the hospital for drug and alcohol testing, as well as a mental evaluation. Read Full Story

US magazine reports that the Associated Press -- the world's largest news organization -- began writing Britney Spears' obituary about a month ago. Jesse Washington, the entertainment news editor, spoke with the tabloid saying, "We are not wishing it, but if Britney passed away, it's easily one of the biggest stories in a long time."

This news comes just after In Touch reported an apparent suicide note allegedly found by Spears' close friend Sam Lufti. Spears was recently hospitalized after a custody stand-off with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Britney Spears, with paparazzi photog boy toy Adnan Ghalib close at her side, was spotted at a Rite Aid pharmacy this weekend. A mundane sighting at best, except for the fact that the pop princess was snapped examining pregnancy tests. Was it a calculated move intended to throw a red herring at the press or an actual necessity? Only Britney knows for sure.

The singer made a brief, but spectacular, appearance at her scheduled custody hearing this week. Hours late, Britney stepped out of her vehicle, screamed at the paparazzi, then promptly left the courthouse. Kevin Federline retains full custody of the former couple's two sons "indefinitely." A follow-up hearing is set for February 19, and the official trial begins in April.

After fleeing the press, Spears was first seen rushing into a church, then meeting Ghalib, friend Sam Lutfi and an unidentified man over a meal of empanadas.

Former 'View' host Rosie O'Donnell compared the 26-year-old singer to the late Princess Diana on her blog. Drawing a parallel to the Princess' untimely death, O'Donnell suggests that "she will be trying to get away, but they will chase her ..."

Where Britney used to push the fashion envelope, she's now committed the ultimate fashion faux pas. The 'Gimme More' singer escorted her new beau to a Mercedes Benz dealership while sporting the dress she wore to her wedding reception. Tacky!

There is supposed to be a light at the end of the tunnel, right? It doesn't seem to be anywhere in sight for Britney Spears. The pop star has officially been served with a restraining order and is not permitted to be within 100 from her two children, 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James.

It was reported that the photo agency employing Brit Brit's married photog pal, Finalpixx, is shopping partially-nude photos of the singer to magazines, including Us Weekly. However, thus far, the only tab to make the purchase is an Australian magazine, which allegedly paid $57,000 for the nudie pics.

Meanwhile, Dr. Phil has been out and about, chatting up his impromptu "session" with Britney after her breakdown this past weekend. Lou Taylor, a representative for the Spears family, told 'Today Show' hosts that the TV doc's statements broke some unofficial form of doctor/patient confidentiality.

Britney Spears ventured out of her Studio City residence with her assistant on Monday night to visit a drug store. After running her errand, Brit Brit's infamous white Mercedes got a flat tire. The singer drove for several miles with the flat tire, eventually pulling over. At the advice of several police officers on the scene, she abandoned her vehicle and scored a ride home with one member of her devoted paparazzi. The car was later impounded because it was blocking the flow of traffic.

TV doc and family friend Dr Phil met with Brit before she was released from Cedar-Sinai Medical Center last Saturday and offered the embattled star some advice. "You can make this okay," he said. "Your family loves you. You may not always agree with what they say, with what they do but they've loved you when you weren't lovable. Turn to the people that love you and listen."

During the three-hour custody standoff between Spears and her ex-hubby Kevin Federline, the father of four was reported to have been extremely nervous about the safety of their two children -- 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James -- because of Brit's access to a handgun. Allegedly, Spears kept the Beretta handgun, which K-fed had purchased for her as a birthday gift, in the master bedroom of her Studio City home -- the same room she barricaded herself in on last Thursday evening.

Lastly, Brit's married photog pal Adnam Ghalib, who works for the photo archive Finalpixx, is allegedly selling photos of the the pair's getaway weekend. Great catch, Brit.

During Britney Spears' two-day stay at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A., following a four-hour custody standoff with her ex-husband Kevin Federline,
Brit Brit was visited by one of television's most popular therapists: Dr. Phil.

The TV doc visited Spears at the hospital on Saturday after a frantic call from Britney's mother, Lynne, on Thursday evening. After meeting with the pop-trauma, Dr. Phil said, "My meeting with Britney and some family members this morning in her room at Cedars leaves me convinced more than ever that she is in dire need of both medical and psychological intervention."

Until January 14, an order has been placed prohibiting Britney from any form of visitation with her two children -- 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James. The LAPD are not planning to file any charges against Spears as of yet.

After checking out of the medical center early Saturday morning, Spears went home only to leave several hours later with married photog pal Adnan Ghalib. The two were spotted at the Daily Grill in Palm Desert around 10 AM Sunday.