‘Life’ dies; Brit’s puppy love

With the Great American Narrative being played out in celebrity lives these days, you’ll want to stay conversant. Stephanie Lysaght rounds up the week’s. . . developments.

“The Simple Life” has died a simple death. The now-canceled show, which was supposed to showcase Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s mischievous side, seemed a bit ridiculous when aligned with their real-life antics.

According to the Washington Post, E! CEO Ted Harbert said that with Paris and Nicole’s offscreen drama, the show seemed “contrived by comparison.”

According to the Akron, Ohio, Beacon Journal, Britney Spears came under fire from animal activists when she bought a $3,000 Yorkie from a Bel-Air pet shop. Some pet-store dogs come from puppy mills, and according to the Humane Society, “Documented puppy mill conditions include over-breeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor food and shelter, crowded cages and lack of socialization.”

They are also upset that Spears picked her pooch in just 30 minutes, because a dog is a serious life decision, not an impulse buy.