By now, even the haters have to admit that this year, Britney Spears has successfully reassumed her pop princess standing. But come to think of it, hasn’t 2008 been a fly year for Tom Cruise as well?

After all, this year marks Cruise’s 25th in show business, and with some wise film and personal choices, he, too, has managed to undergo a public image makeover. For the most part, the media has ceased to scrutinize his marriage to Katie Holmes, his delayed flick Valkyrie is gaining critical acclaim, and his comic turn in Tropic Thunder has earned him an unexpected Golden Globe nomination.

So, for rising above the buzz let’s give Mr. Cruise his props!

Besides Britney and Cruise, what other entertainers impressed you with their image revivals in ‘08?

Ever since America met Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera on The Mickey Mouse Club, the media has framed the two as competitors, and their semi-parallel pop careers throughout the early 2000s only amplified the comparisons.

So as I was watching Britney’s video for her new jam Circus this afternoon, I couldn’t help but to think of Christina’s big-top-themed clip for her power-ballad Hurt. The two videos have their obvious differences – their storylines and tones vary greatly – but you’ve gotta admit that they both employ some of the same Barnum & Bailey-esque elements.

Since they were released a couple of years apart, I don’t anticipate that these two videos will be battling for the same airtime on MTV, but both of the clips are well-crafted visual interpretations of their respective songs. Check them both out below, and weigh-in on whether or not you think that these pop circuses are purely coincidental.

Britney Spears – Circus

Christina Aguilera – Hurt

During MTV’s doco, Britney: For The Record, there’s a moment when a member of the paparazzi freaks out after he misses a photo opportunity with Britney Spears.

This scene is quickly becoming one of the more memorable portions of the special. So when I got the opportunity to hold a candid interview with this lively member of the press, who goes by the name Cam, I couldn’t pass it up!

In this exclusive chat, Cam defends his profession as a pap (short for paparazzi) and opens up about his on-camera outburst.

Cam On His Britney Run-In

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Did Cam’s explanation alter your feelings about paparazzi?

After watching the premiere of MTV’s commendable documentary Britney: For The Record, I’m overcome with a mixture of unadulterated hope and exhaustion!

For The Record gave us a 90 minute event-filled tour through the last couple of months in Britney Spears’ life. During which, we witnessed Britney shed vulnerable tears but also unleash her signature giggle.

Often underscored by an air of confinement, Britney unveiled her sadness, insecurities, and ambitions to us with minor restraint. But what made the special so digestible was the class and sincerity with which it was executed!

And after taking this frank journey with Britney from the 2008 VMAs up to the shoot for her upcoming Circus video, it’s obvious that Ms. Spears is poised to silence her naysayers with a newfound resilience that I find straight-up inspiring.

You caught this, right? How stoked are you for the December 2nd album release?

Since the US government is attempting to rescue the nation’s economy by dishing out $700 billion to bailout Wall Street, I think it’s high time that we music-lovers took some action to save the bleeding music industry.

Over the past few years, there’ve been tons of albums that, for one reason or another, got lost in the musical shuffle when they dropped. So let’s resuscitate the music industry by undertaking a CD Bailout!

All you’ve got to do is rummage through the discount bin at Best Buy, and purchase a few albums that underperformed during their initial release but that you think deserve a second chance.

To get you started, I’m listing 3 albums that I invested in that I wish would’ve gathered more steam and/or radio airplay:

Paris – Paris Hilton – It’s tempting to view Ms. Hilton singing career as a footnote on her increasingly impressive/shocking resume as an “entertainer”, but the tracks “Screwed” and “Stars are Blind” are evidence that with Scott Storch behind the keyboard, the heiress can carry a note or two.

A Beautiful World – Thicke – Before he started using his first name, Robin, as a part of his stage moniker, Thicke released this eclectic piece of work that flirted with Rock, R&B, and even Latin sounds. Interscope may have had a tough time marketing this debut, but I’ve never had a tough time grooving to “Brand New Jones” or “Flex”.

Blackout – Britney Spears –This album was well-crafted, slickly produced, and fun – Britney’s public profile wasn’t. After jamming to “Radar” and “Hot as Ice”, you’ll forgive Brit for the frightening head-shaving incident.

Buy an album, save the world…or at least the music industry! What album do you think went unappreciated when it came out but has provided you with abundant melodic pleasure?