MEL GIVES K-FED ADVICE

First MEL GIBSON bonded with Malibu neighbor BRITNEY SPEARS, jetting her and dad JAMIE SPEARS to his Costa Rican beach estate – now he’s KEVIN FEDERLINE’s relationship counselor. (Bet that’s a surprise to Mrs. Gibson!)

Kevin told a pal Mel’s phoned twice with fatherly advice. “Kevin thinks it’s kind of weird – he doesn’t know the guy, obviously – but Mel lectures him on how the children need their mother, and says he should make things as easy as possible for Britney.”

Kevin, admittedly starstruck at first, quickly channeled his inner freeloader and told Mel: “Dude, all well and good – but find me some work!”

Rock on, Slanty Hat!