NEW YORK — Britney Spears is taking her "Circus" act on the road. In an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America," the pop star announced that her North American arena tour will open March 3 in New Orleans.

It's her first tour in five years; her new album, "Circus," arrived yesterday, on her 27th birthday.

Spears, who sang her hit, "Womanizer," on "GMA," begins rehearsals next month.

Spears' 27-city itinerary includes Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. She'll close the tour April 28 in Chicago.

TELL US WHAT YOU REALLY THINK, BRAD

NEW YORK — Brad Pitt has some strong words for the paparazzi.

On NBC's "Today" show, Pitt said: "Let me be very blunt: I hate them. I hate these people. I don't understand É that they do that for a living."

The actor appeared yesterday to talk about his humanitarian work in New Orleans, but the conversation turned to his famous family. Pitt said he doesn't like talking about Angelina Jolie and their six children.

Said Pitt: "It seems to get cheapened somehow as it goes through the filters and the airwaves — and some things you just want to keep close to the chest."

SWAYZE DENIES HE'S ON 'LAST LEGS'

NEW YORK — Patrick Swayze is angry about tabloid reports that say he doesn't have long to live.

The actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, issued a statement yesterday affirming that he is winning his fight against the disease and responding well to treatment.

Said Swayze: "They're reporting that I'm on my last legs ... It's upsetting that the shoddy and reckless reporting from these publications cast a negative shadow on the positive and good fight I'm fighting."

Swayze, who stars in the A&E series, "The Beast," says such coverage is tantamount to "emotional cruelty."

EX-CHILD STAR HIT WITH $100 FINE

SALT LAKE CITY — Gary Coleman has pleaded no contest in a disorderly conduct case stemming from a September incident at a bowling alley.

The 40-year-old former star of "Diff'rent Strokes" was ordered to pay a $100 fine in a Payson court yesterday. He also pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge, which will be waived if he doesn't have any other violations within a year.

According to court documents, Coleman, his wife and his bodyguard were going bowling in Payson, about 60 miles south of Salt Lake City, when Colt Rushton took a few photos of the actor with his cell phone camera, and a few more of Coleman's truck. Rushton's lawyer says the actor's wife took Rushton's cell phone, a scuffle ensued and then Coleman ran into Rushton with his truck as he was backing out of the parking lot.

POLANSKI WANTS CHARGE DISMISSED

LOS ANGELES — Lawyers for Roman Polanski, a fugitive in France for 30 years because of a notorious sex case involving a 13-year-old girl, filed a request yesterday to dismiss the charge against him. The motion alleges that a documentary about Polanski released this year reveal- ed "a pattern of misconduct and improper communications" between the district attorney's office and the judge in the case.

Polanski has been living in self-imposed exile since fleeing the U.S. in 1978 after admitting to having sex with the teen.

Polanski has continued to direct films while in exile, including the 2002 Holocaust drama "The Pianist," for which he won the best-director Oscar.