THE offstage antics at the MTV Video Music Awards were far more entertaining than the lackluster action on stage. According to The Post's Mary Huhn, who was in the star-studded pressroom:

A grumpy Jared Leto, who stars as John Lennon's killer in an upcoming film and whose group 30 Seconds to Mars won the MTV2 award, flipped when asked by a foreign reporter to sing his favorite Beatles song. Leto asked the journo where he was from and, after being told Amsterdam, snapped, "Don't embarrass your country!"

After winning the best pop-video honors for "Stupid Girls," Pink chirped, "Nick Lachey and Nicole Richie giving me the award was ironic. I can appreciate the irony." The newly married rocker also revealed the saucy title of her next single - "U + Ur Hand." She quipped, "You can imagine what I'm talking about."

Andre 3000 set the record straight, saying he missed his party at the Soho Grand's Dome because "I have a problem with time."

Chamillionaire, who won for best rap video, said he hadn't expected to win even though "a psychic told me I was going to win. That was crazy."

Axl Rose again promised that his album "Chinese Democracy," the Guns N' Roses disc he's been working on for 12 (count 'em, 12) years, will be out by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, as she hung out backstage, Paris Hilton couldn't resist striking out at her former best friend, Richie. A spy reports, "Nicole and [boyfriend] Brody Jenner were sitting on the sofa in the green room when Paris walked in." In front of LL Cool J, Jay-Z and others, "Paris ran up to Brody, threw her arms around his neck and squealed, 'Hello.' She started whispering in his ear and kissing his neck - and Nicole was getting really mad."

The final straw for Richie was when her beau "actually turned his back on her to talk some more with Paris." Richie finally grabbed Jenner's arm and hissed, "Let's go!"

"Star Trek" is getting a 21st century makeover. CBS Paramount Domestic Television is releasing digitally remastered episodes of the iconic 1960s sci-fi series, with all new special effects and music, to celebrate the groundbreaking series' 40th anniversary, it was announced today by John Nogawski, president of CBS Paramount Domestic Television.

The new episodes also mark the first time in 16 years that the original "Star Trek" series can be seen in broadcast syndication. The episodes will begin airing on the more than 200 stations that own the rights to the weekend broadcast syndication window starting Sept. 16 (check local listings for station and dates). All 79 episodes of the original "Star Trek" series will eventually be remastered, with the first batch of episodes chosen from a list of "Star Trek" fans' favorite shows.

"'Star Trek' redefined science-fiction and constantly pushed the envelope with concepts that were ahead of their time," Nogawski said. "By giving the series a digital upgrade using the best technology available today, it will continue to be a leader in cutting-edge television programming as we introduce the series to a new generation of viewers."

The most noticeable change will be redoing many of the special effects, created with 1960s technology, with 21st century computer-generated imagery (CGI). That includes:

Space ship exteriors -- The space ship Enterprise, as well as other Starships, will be replaced with state of the art CGI-created ships. The new computer-generated Enterprise is based on the exact measurements of the original model, which now rests in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Show opening -- The Enterprise and planets seen in the main title sequence will be redone, giving them depth and dimension for the first time.

Galaxy shots -- All the graphics of the galaxy, so frequently seen through the window on the Enterprise's bridge, will be redone.

Exteriors -- The battle scenes, planets and ships from other cultures (notably the Romulan Bird of Prey and Klingon Battle Cruisers) will be updated.

Background scenes -- Some of the iconic, yet flat, matte paintings used as backdrops for the strange, new worlds explored by the Enterprise crew will get a CGI face-lift, adding atmosphere and lighting.

The refurbished episodes also feature higher quality sound for the famous opening theme. The original score by Emmy Award-winning composer Alexander Courage has been re-recorded in state-of-the-art digital stereo audio with an orchestra and a female singer belting out the famous vocals. A digitally remastered version of William Shatner's classic original recording of the 38-word "Space, the final frontier…" monologue continues to open each episode.

The remastered episodes have been converted from the original film into a High-Definition format, which gives viewers a clearer, crisper, more vibrant picture than before, even when viewed in standard definition. Once stations upgrade and start broadcasting HD signals, the episodes will be all ready for viewers to enjoy in HD."

Sharon Osbourne’s dog has plenty of bite like her owner — after sinking its teeth into Hollywood star Patrick Swayze.

The Pomeranian pooch, called Minnie, lunged at the Dirty Dancing star as he was interviewed on Sharon’s ITV1 chatshow last night. Wary Patrick came on and said: “Hello Minnie, you’re looking as though you might bite my head off.”

But tough-talking X Factor judge Sharon insisted: “No, she’s lovely, a lovely little dog.” Then the dog pounced, causing the surprised actor to yell: “You don’t mess with Minnie!”

Shocked Sharon said: “She didn’t mean it — she bites me all the time!”

Meanwhile, she admitted during a chat with X Factor’s Chico that she has put on a STONE (14 lbs) in weight after “shovelling down fish and chips”.

GERI Halliwell found baby daughter Bluebell bruised and bawling after leaving her with a temporary nanny.

The tiny tot was shrieking when furious Geri, 34, turned on the nanny and screamed: "What's happened? What have you done to my baby?"

But the nanny — believed to have been hired from an agency while Geri looks for a permanent carer — said nothing and the former Spice Girl reported the bruises on Bluebell's arm to cops.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We have received an allegation of abuse against a three-month-old baby.

"Officers from our Child Abuse Investigations Unit are investigating and inquiries are continuing. There have been no arrests.

Andre Agassi's 20-year career ended in a 5-7 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 5-7 defeat to German qualifier Benjamin Becker at the US Open on Sunday.

The 36-year-old was clearly affected by the chronic back injury which hastened his decision to retire.

Backed by a fiercely patriotic crowd, Agassi battled throughout but Becker's power proved too much.

The American legend fought back tears as the Arthur Ashe crowd, along with Becker, rose to applaud him.

Still crying, Agassi paid a sentimental tribute to his fans.

"The scoreboard shows that I lost today, but what it doesn't show is what I found," he said.

"Over the last 20 years I have found loyalty, you have pulled me through on court and also in life.

"I have found inspiration - you have willed me to succeed - and I have found genorosity.

"I thank you and I wiill take you and the memory with me for the rest of my life."

Becker kept his nerve brilliantly in front of a crowd who were virtually silent whenever he won a point.

The German afterwards paid tribute to Agassi's contribution to the game.

"He's one of a kind," said the 25-year-old.

"He gave so much to tennis. He's such a gentleman and this is a great moment for him.

"Whatever they do for him he deserves it. I wish him all the best - I know he will be very happy in life."

7th Heaven actors Jeremy London and Melissa Cunningham were joined in holy matrimony Saturday in California, a source confirms. (London played young minister Chandler Hampton from 2002-2004 on the long-running WB show, while Cunningham appeared in a 2003 episode.)

At the 5:30 p.m. ceremony at the Hidden Chateau and Garden in West Hills, the bride walked down the aisle in a dress she'd designed herself. The groom wore Hugo Boss.

The 150 guests included Cunningham's friend Carmen Electra, just back from the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City; London's identical twin brother, actor Jason (who starred in 1993's Dazed and Confused); Scott Wolf, who played brother-in-law to London's working-class Griffin Holbrook on Party of Five; and actors Kevin Connolly, Matt Lindquist and Jeremy Sisto.

The day before the wedding, Cunningham's friend and bridesmaid, So Low designer Sarah Siegel-Magness, threw her a bridal shower in a private cabana at LA's Peninsula Hotel. Bridesmaids wore special jumpsuits designed just for the party by Siegel-Magness.

London and Cunningham met in 2000 when she auditioned for a film he was producing, the Tommy Chong comedy Secret Agent 420 (she got the part). London proposed on December 23, 2005, with a three-carat center-cut diamond ring.

What's next for the newlyweds? "I'm definitely going to expand our family as much as possible," London said, "as soon as possible."

Fashion icon and award-winning singer and actress Cher is clearing her Malibu home of its Gothic contents and reshaping her life in a giant garage sale.

Following a trend set by rock star Elton John, Cher is selling off nearly 800 items from stage costumes to gem encrusted jewelry, works of art, furniture and even a huge Hummer car in an auction expected to raise more than $1 million.

"This is a lot more than a garage sale. Apart from the dresses and jewels there are Old Masters and architectural drawings," said Darren Julien of Julien's auctions.

"She has a huge following. She is an icon. Her career in song, stage and screen has spanned nearly four decades," he told Reuters as some of the items went on show in London on Monday ahead of the sale in Los Angeles on October 3-4.

The sale is being jointly organized by Sotheby's New York office and Julien's of the United States.

Among the items on show are several dresses by star designer Bob Mackie, white and yellow gold rings and necklaces and a book of architectural drawings by 19th century Gothic Revivalist Augustus Pugin.

Cher, born Cherylin Sarkisian in May 1946, first hit fame alongside Sonny Bono with the 1965 hit "I got you babe," and her roller-coaster career has been echoed by her turbulent and often front-page private life.