In a recent interview, Joan Jett was asked how she felt about the Britney Spears cover of her iconic rock hit, "I Love Rock 'N Roll."

"I've never even heard Britney's version," Jett said. "I mean, I've obviously heard about it, but I never understood that whole idea I mean, people usually cover a song that says something about them, but I doubt she loves rock 'n roll. Maybe she likes songs."

The woman has a point – sometimes musicians cover odd songs to be ironic (i.e. Alanis covering "My Humps"), but I'm thinking Britney (or her record company) thought the song would give her an edge (the songstress also covered the Rolling Stones "Satisfaction.") But Spears is definitely an easy target. There are tons of other artists who try their best to do a great rendition of someone else's song when it just sort of falls flat.

Hilary Duff doing "My Generation"

Duff doing The Who? Their '60s song was taken and poppified for a younger generation that doesn't appreciate what the lyrics mean whatsoever. Can't you see the tweens cooing, "Things they do look awful cold/Yeah, I hope I die before I get old."

Madonna doing "American Pie"

Sorry, Madge: I just didn't dig it. The song is a legendary folk tune and your voice doesn't do it justice. Maybe this is her revenge on artists who have covered her greatest hits. At any rate, she should stick with her originals (pre-1995, please.) … continue reading

When I was a youngster who read BOP and Tiger Beat, collecting New Kids on the Block items was simple. There were mass-produced buttons, puzzles, bed sheets, sleeping bags, dolls, curtains and rain coats (yes, I had one.) But why would you want the same thing every other fan has? To really set you apart, there are smaller companies and indie crafters who are giving us more things to collect in proof of our love for the famous.

Perhaps you have a friend who would never deny her love of Hilary Duff, even if it means she loses cool points in front of a prospective date. She can send out warning signals ahead of time by wearing this shirt by Busted Tees. Some might even think she's just being ironic, which might look better for you if you're serving as her wing woman for the night.

After watching But I'm A Cheerleader for the first time, who isn't a Clea DuVall fan? San Francisco-based crafter terriclaude is so into the actress that she is selling a one-of a kind “Obsessing Over Clea DuVall Embroidery” on Etsy.com. She knows her stuff — the embroidery features Clea's two tattoos of “Lucky” and “7.” And you thought you were her biggest fan! … continue reading

I know you have an opinion on the Ellen brouhaha. So do I. So does, well, everybody. But I believe that in the midst of the most heated controversy, we can find common ground. Women. We all love women. And where you find women who love women, you find women who love animals. In the spirit of unity, then, let's look at women we love and their pets. OK, yes, it's an excuse to post pictures of cute women. Starting with Joss Stone and Dusty.

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Some things simply do not seem to go together. Take, for instance, the idea of a jelly and Brie sandwich. It makes your senses do a double take. That's what my mind did when I read the news release that Hilary Duff and Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn are currently filming a movie together. Lizzie Maguire and six-time Oscar-nominated Ellen Burstyn? OK, maybe a jelly and Brie sandwich is good eats; what do I know?!

The movie, Greta, is directed by music video pro Nancy Bardawil. Bardawil has directed videos for The Goo Goo Dolls, Dixie Chicks and Hole, so at least there is a chance that the movie will be hip and quick and feature a decent soundtrack. After reading about the premise though, I hope that the movie is not a reGretable one. Duff plays the title role, a waitress who dates an ambitious young African-American man (Evan Ross) with whom she works. She discovers that he has a criminal past and now must defend her relationship with her grandparents, one of whom is played by Burstyn. Hmm ... even in 2007, interracial love and relationships are still not very common in movies, but they're certainly not groundbreaking either. And then adding a criminal past to the African-American male character makes the premise read a little like a stereotype, so here's hoping it's well written, well acted, has good music and nice cinematography, and warms the heart! … continue reading

Last night’s Teen Choice Awards could have been called the More Evidence That High School Musical Is Taking Over the Universe Awards. But I guess that would be too long to fit on the trophies. While South of Nowhere lost the Choice Breakout TV show award to Heroes, fellow AfterEllen.com reader favorite Degrassi won the Choice Summer TV award. See the complete list of winners here. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll admit that I did not watch the show. I’m so far out of the teen demographic that to tune in would have been mildly creepy. However, I have no problem scanning the pictures afterward. Voyeurism, journalism — it’s a thin line. And with that, I give you my completely unprofessional, randomly snarky thoughts on the stars of the Teen Choice Awards.

Hilary Duff and Eve: Is this too much back and front for these ladies to be showing at a show for teenagers, or am I just a being a prude?

Ashley Jensen and America Ferrera: These two are causing me to have some decidedly R-rated thoughts during an entirely PG-rated show.

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In case you missed Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever. (and if you did, why did you?