Who woulda thunk it? After downward spirals, former Hollywood pariahs Britney Spears, Mickey Rourke and Robert Downey Jr. managed to turn it around this year. And file under TV turnaround: NBC's "Saturday Night Live" became culturally relevant again.
___

BRITNEY SPEARS: What was more stunning — the fact that Spears snagged three MTV Video Music Awards (including video of the year) or that she looked like a million bucks while doing so? Either way, the pop star — sporting a glittering silver dress and a slimmer body — pulled a remarkable 180-degree turn from last year's fiasco at the VMAs, when she trudged through a performance of "Gimme More." It was a striking example of how far the 27-year-old mother of two has risen since her father, Jamie, took control of her financial and private affairs in February. Spears, who famously shaved her head during one of her public meltdowns, continues to gain career momentum and stability in her personal life. Delighting her fans, the "Womanizer" singer will kick off her first tour in five years this March.