Discovery

Amy Winehouse may have canceled her appearance at the VMA’s to battle her personal demons, but Britney Spears will be there with bells on.

The pop tart has been “collaborating” (cough, cough) with Criss Angel on her opening number at the MTV Video Music Awards.

According to Us Weekly, she presented her idea to network suits on August 27 and apparently got a thumbs-up.

Spears was seen entering a dance studio that day with manager Jeff Kwatinetz, who, according to a source, “is working with Brit on a trial basis.”

(Translation: “Trial basis” = exit strategy if she is really as nuts as everyone says she is.)

“She’s planning it to be a big comeback performance,” says a Spears insider, who adds that the goal is to make it “shocking.”

Hmmm, no pressure there. How can she possibly top the freak show that is her everyday life

Apparently one idea that was scrapped included Brit singing “My Prerogative” amid a medley of hits, as pictures of exes Justin Timberlake and Kevin Federline and other gossipy images flashed on a screen behind her. Yeah, not a great idea.

As for rumors that Britney might be doing a duet with Justin

A source from Timberlake’s camp insists, “Totally, patently false.”

Of course. Justin’s smart enough to stay away from that trashtastic trainwreck.

Bring on September 9!!