No Brit, no Twit

Hopes dashed for a VMA show stopper, a la a coherent Brit Brit without a broke-ass weave. Don Draper's pithy 140-character missives cut down in their prime. And Oscar nominees, and that Cody chick, get another day in the sun.

Here's your afternoon wrap.

Britney Spears' manager says the singer's too busy in the studio working on her new record right now to jack up MTV's ratings by performing at the VMAs on Sept. 7.

She took time out to shoot a couple promos with cheeky Brit host Russell Brand, making us all wonder if the Grammy-winning pop tart would use the awards show as Another Redemption Vehicle. She's nominated -- for "Piece of Me" -- so it's likely she'll at least put in an appearance. But as for performing? We say, it ain't over 'til it's over.

What would AMC do if "Mad Men" fans starting Twittering up a storm? Threaten to ruin the party.

Oscar nominees Ronald Harwood (adapted screenplay for "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly") and Nancy Oliver (original screenplay for "Lars and the Real Girl") and, oh yeah, the one who won, Diablo Cody (best original screenplay for "Juno") are in the mix for $115,000 in cash and the 2008 Humanitas Prize, given out for writing that shows some humanity (not inanity). "The Wire," "Boston Legal" and "John Adams" are among the TV competitors.