By Paul V.

It was kind of weird when Madonna started writing children's books, right? Well, now a company named Baby Rock Records is releasing lullaby versions of songs from Metallica, Coldplay and Radiohead. The first edition is in stores now or online at babyrockrecords.com. Future installments will contain lullaby renditions of songs from Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Bjork, Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, No Doubt, and The Pixies.

Jennifer Lopez is making her way over to the FX network to produce a new show entitled Echo Park, a comedic look at the world of yuppie, Latino, and hipster cultures that all mix within L.A.'s own Echo Park neighborhood.

Scissor Sisters' Ta-Dah album will have a limited edition deluxe run. The new CD comes with a second disc featuring non-album tracks “Hair Baby,” “Almost Sorry,” “Transistor,” and “Making Ladies.” The bonus disc has a demo of “Contact High” and the Paper Faces remix of “I Don't Feel Like Dancin'.” Their sophomore disc drops Sept. 26, and you should all buy it the day it comes out!

In “what are they thinking?” news, it's been confirmed that Ashlee Simpson has been offered the role of Roxie Hart in the London stage adaptation of Chicago. Usher just made his debut in the Broadway staging of the hit show this month. I'm still not used to Ashlee's new face. Are you?

Justin Timberlake is still apparently harboring some bitterness about his nearly 10-year relationship with Britney Spears, which ended in 2002. Timberlake was recently quoted saying, "If I was writing an article about her, I wouldn't be able to fight the urge to write every little dirty thing about her. I dated her half my life, but I don't know that person anymore. I'm not sure I knew her before." Ouch.

Speaking of Britney, she finally sold her NYC townhouse after it languished on the market for two years. But if you've got some extra bucks and you wanna spring for a rock star's ex-digs, both Jack White and Marc Almond have their former abodes up for sale. White's $3 million pad is in Detroit, and Almond's $700k flat is in London's swanky Soho district.

And finally, good luck to schmaltz king Barry Manilow, who had hip-replacement surgery the day after the Emmy Awards. Once you get back up on your feet Bar, be sure to lay off any more botox and plastic surgery. You don't wanna end up looking like Ashlee Simpson…