In fairly swift fashion, Lindsay Lohan's Playboy photo shoot has gone from rumor to reality, and now comes the next phase: wondering what it all might mean for Lohan's career.

Lohan defends her decision to do the pictorial in the accompanying Playboy interview, saying that posing nude gives her "confidence." While that might be the case for the actress, it still seems tough to rationalize her decision when you look at the stars on the covers of other monthly magazines right now, who definitely have steered clear of the Playboy strategy. Ironically, one of those stars is the incomparable Meryl Streep (now on the cover of Vogue) who co-starred with Lohan in "A Prairie Home Companion" in 2006.

AP, Reuters

Meryl Streep, left, on the cover of Vogue, and Lindsay Lohan on the cover of Playboy.

The two were photographed together at the time, appearing on W magazine's cover to promote the film. That accompanying story opens with Lohan joking with the W team, and it's recalled this way: “'What are you going to call the story?' she asks, pausing just a moment before she offers her suggestion. 'Lady and the Tramp?'"

W magazine

Streep and Lohan share a W cover in 2006.

Your words, Lindsay, not ours.

Lohan went on to say, “I’d love to be in Meryl’s position. I want people to know me for the work that I’m doing, not for this party girl image, which is just vile and disgusting and not fair, because I work so hard. Maybe someone will look at my life one day and say, ‘Why don’t I do a cover with Lindsay Lohan?’”

To be fair, Streep said later in the W interview that Lohan did work hard (something her co-stars often emphasize when describing their experience with Lohan.) And, there still might be a time in Lohan's life where someone says they want to be on the cover of a magazine with her.

But in the short term, it's doubtful that "tasteful," naked pictures will get Lohan to the place she wanted to go back in 2006. If that's truly where she still wants to be.

And in a more-of-the-same juxtaposition, as Streep stares down yet another potential Oscar nomination thanks to her buzzed-about role in "The Iron Lady," Lohan deals with this.  

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• Lindsay Lohan slideshow
• Meryl Streep slideshow

Emmanuel Dunand / AFP - Getty Images

The event of 2011 that you've all been waiting for is nearly here: Lindsay Lohan's appearance in Playboy. But the anticipation is getting the best of some as a (pretty much safe for work) image of the cover made its way online ahead of the mag's official release.

If curiosity is getting the best of you beyond that cover, know this: you might be able to see more of the images when Lohan appears on a Dec. 15 episode of "Ellen" where she's expected to unveil the entire spread.

While Lohan's decision to pose for the magazine might seem like a suspect career move for many, her mother Dina has insisted that the pictures will be "tastefully done."

"She's been working in front of the camera with Ford Models since she was a little girl so she kinda knows how to work that," Dina told the Insider in November.

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If ever there was a place where even the most implausible stories can come true, it's Hollywood. Which is why the notion that Courtney Love might be acting as Lindsay Lohan's sober coach gained some traction. Go ahead, take a moment, and read that sentence again. Radar Online spread the rumor, purporting that Love took on the job because "nobody else will."

EPA, Getty Images

Courtney Love, left, and Lindsay Lohan.

Before we get too much further, know this: the Lohan camp is saying it's not true. "Courtney Love is not, nor has she ever been, Lindsay's sober coach," Lohan's rep Steve Honig told E! exclusively. "Lindsay is, however, grateful for her friendship," Honig added.

On the one hand, it's a little understandable that one could buy into the idea that Love and Lohan might have formed some sort of sobriety alliance (reference that first sentence again). It's so bizarre you almost want it to be true, and the denial was lost in the noise of the reaction, some of it very apt, like this tweet from "Late Show with David Letterman" head writer Eric Stangel: "Courtney Love says she is Lindsay Lohan's sober coach. Doesn't Lindsay Lohan have enough to deal with?" 

On the other hand, COME ON. Stangel is right. Lohan has enough to deal with. And by "enough" we mean finishing up that community service at the morgue, and getting her career back on track. And as fun as some things would be to believe, as much as we want Christmas to come early, it's usually best that it doesn't when it comes to Hollywood gossip.

Mario Anzuoni / AFP - Getty Images

While much of the country was fast asleep, Lindsay Lohan was out and about. And while that might sound like any other day that ends in "y," in the case of Sunday night and the wee hours of Monday, the situation was a little different: Lohan reported to jail, for her 30-day sentence. TMZ broke that news, and also the news that she was released just 4 1/2 hours after she checked in to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, Calif.

The sentence was rendered after Lohan admitted that she violated her probation. Lohan actually reported to jail ahead of schedule; on Nov. 2, she had initially been told she would have to surrender herself by Nov. 9.

Lohan won't have to serve an additional 270 days in jail if she performs 12 days of community service at the morgue and attends four psychotherapy sessions before Dec. 14.

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It's been quite a week in the world of celebrity news. Kim Kardashian decided 72 days was enough time to be married to Kris Humphries, so she filed for divorce. Lindsay Lohan was back in court and subsequently ordered back to jail -- but not before she had a chance to finish a shoot for Playboy. And the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray, was drawing to a close.

So it seems we should have a chat about these topics and whatever else is on your mind in the world of entertainment. Use the link below to set up a reminder and join us on Friday, Nov. 4, at 9 a.m. PT.

Pool / Getty Images

Whether she's in jail for hours or days, Lindsay Lohan won't be able to check in until after she sees to some work commitments. That is, until she finishes up her Playboy shoot. And if you're wondering just how that shoot is going to turn out, don't worry. The photos will be "tasteful," as they say.

Dina Lohan told "The Insider" in an interview to air Thursday that "it will be tastefully done. She's been working in front of the camera with Ford Models since she was a little girl so she kinda knows how to work that."

Dina is also said to clarify that there will be no full frontal nudity and there's a chance Lindsay won't appear on the cover (the December or January issues are the months the photo shoot is likely to run). Instead, "[Lindsay] and Mr. Hefner will decide. She'll pick 5 cover [options], he'll pick the one he wants."

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whosay.com/lindsaylohan

The people spoke and Lindsay Lohan listened! Lohan took her yellowed teeth to celeb-friendly cosmetic dentist Dr. Bill Dorfman, who whitened her smile.

"Thanks Dr. Dorfman for the zoom," Lohan tweeted, and posted a picture of her new look to her WhoSay page. "My gums are so sore though!"

Most recently, Lohan's dental upkeep hasn't ranked among her biggest problems; Lohan's probation was revoked during an Oct. 20 court appearance, and she's due back to stand before Judge Stephanie Sautner on Tuesday.

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• Lindsay Lohan to pose for Playboy?
• So what if stars don't always look perfect?

Nothing says "serious actress" like posing for a spread in Playboy. Lindsay Lohan has, according to TMZ, signed on to do just that in exchange for a nearly $1 million payday. Her rep is neither confirming nor denying the reports, so at the moment, we live in a world where this is an actual possibility.

Matteo Bazzi / EPA file

There are a couple points to raise here. First, this whole agreement, should it become a reality, doesn't come as a total surprise. Lohan is not the most modest of celebs -- we've seen A LOT of her skin as it is. The forum is just different here. There's also the Marilyn Monroe emulation syndrome at play -- Lohan has repeatedly aligned herself with the icon (and former Playboy model, herself). Her company 6126is named for Monroe's birth date, and remember when Lohan recreated Monroe's last nude photo shoot for New York magazine?

So there are pieces that fit ... but it doesn't make it a good idea, Lindsay! People trying to get their lives and careers back on track generally find it helpful to keep their clothes on. But as we know, Lohan doesn't always adhere strictly to the rules.

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Reuters

Lindsay Lohan in a booking photograph released on Oct. 19.

Shortly after Lindsay Lohan was led from a Los Angeles courtroom in handcuffs Wednesday, the actress was subjected to yet another booking photo. Obviously, this isn't Lohan's first crack at this type of portrait; to make things easy for you, we've compiled a gallery of her photos (with the added bonus of dad Michael Lohan).

Fortunately for Lohan, being a celeb with a mug shot isn't a career deal breaker. For proof, look no further than our impressive collection of Hollywood mugs.

Getty Images, AP

From left: Lindsay in Sept. 2010 and July 2010, Michael in April 2009, and Lindsay in July 2007.

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Getty Images

Christina Aquilera, left, on Oct. 8, and Lindsay Lohan on Oct. 12.

Christina Aguilera is no longer a size 0, and Lindsay Lohan appears to be falling behind with her bi-annual teeth cleanings. These are things we learned in the last week or so, thanks to photos of each starlet.

In Aguilera's case, photos taken while she performed at a Michael Jackson tribute concert in the U.K., where she sported the (somehow still) popular pantsless look on stage, revealed that she's not the stick-thin singer she was in her "Beautiful" days. And if Lohan was ashamed by her smile, she wasn't hiding it when she showed off yellowed, spotted teeth on the red carpet for the launch of the "Saints Row: The Third" video game in L.A. 

Aguilera's apparent weight gain prompted outrage from the likes of Kelly Osbourne, who quickly slammed Aguilera, saying, "She called me fat for years, I was never that fat." And it seems to have sparked outrage from a legion of fans, too, if you read what the evil Internet is saying. But why? Is it because a performer deigned to not look her absolute size-nothing best?

As for Lohan, the situation went beyond snark. Her teeth were a quick excuse to question her sobriety, with some outlets going out to find experts who would say that her tooth decay was from "smoking and drug use."

Jaded as we can be in this business, I'm inclined to give both Lohan and Aguilera a break. In fairness, Lohan's case is more perplexing (if you're trying to get back into the acting fray and be taken seriously, then you'd take care of one of your most obvious assets, no?) but long ago I gave up on trying to figure out her priorities. And granted, if a large part of your job was looking your best (and you could afford trainers, chefs and the like) wouldn't you take advantage?

But one thing is as true in the case of weight- and toothgate as it is everywhere in celeb culture: you never know what's going on behind closed doors. Let's give these two a break.

Mr Cool/vicinoiorio / Splash News

Lindsay Lohan got back to work over the weekend in Milan, Italy, when she was named the face of fashion designer Philipp Plein's line. Apparently it's a patriotic gig.

We'll leave it up to you to fill in the blanks when it comes to any dialogue or thought bubble you might want to associate with this look. Head on over to the Scoop's Facebook page to comment and we'll flag the best of the bunch later today.

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Getty Images, Splash News

Ali Lohan in New York on July 30, 2009, left, and spotted leaving Anastasia Salon in Beverly Hills, Calif., this week.

Updated 1:05 p.m. PT: At 17 years old, Ali Lohan isn't just Lindsay Lohan's little sister, she's also a burgeoning model. To that end, Ali recently landed a modeling contract with Next Model Management, and she was the face of her big sister's 6126 clothing line.

Most recently though, talk about Ali has centered around whether she's had plastic surgery. As you can see from the composite photo, while lighting and diet could have something to do with subtle differences, there is no doubt her face looks much more chiseled. We asked her rep if there's any truth to the chatter and have yet to hear back. But big sis Lindsay did talk to E! News.

"She has never," Lindsay told E! exclusively regarding all the talk that Ali must have turned to plastic surgery to achieve her so-called "new" look. E! reports that a source close to the family says, "Ali just lost a lot of weight."