Michael's doc in seclusion

Murray, advisers hole up in L.A. hotel as paparazzi hover

We haven't heard much from -- or about -- Michael Jackson's personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray in recent weeks. Seems the controversial medico has been holed up with his legal team at the Beverly Regent Hotel in L.A. -- presumably working on a defense plan for charges the doctor is expected to be facing in the Jackson case, already ruled a homicide by the L.A. authorities.

A hotel source says Murray was registered under a pseudonym: Mr. Parke Highland of Dallas, an interesting choice, given Highland Park is a posh Dallas neighborhood. Murray has long had a home and practice in Houston.

To dodge the ever-present L.A. paparazzi, Murray supposedly went to great lengths to disguise himself, including wearing wigs, hats and oversized suits -- for the rare occasions when he did leave his suite.

• At least the good doctor ate healthy. According to my source, he regularly ordered mostly from the hotel's vegetarian offerings -- and ''usually oatmeal or an egg-white omelet for breakfast.''

ROMANTIC RUMBLINGS: As we've been reporting, the romance between comedian and actor Russell Brand and singer Katy Perry is getting hotter by the moment. While house-hunting in L.A., Brand was overheard revealing he's put his London home on the market, expects to marry Perry ''very soon'' and has become ''extremely attached to'' Perry's evangelical minister parents -- who have ''totally changed my opinion about super-religious- type people,'' said Brand.

He also said he believes finding Perry has connected him with a true soul mate and made him put an end to his reputation as a womanizing serial dater. ''She's the girl,'' Brand is quoted as gushing, "that's all there is to it.''

• While all eyes have been on an expected year-end engagement announcement by Britain's Prince William and longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton, his younger brother Prince Harry's rekindled romance with on-again galpal Chelsy Davy almost slipped under the Brit press' radar.

• Congrats to ''Supernatural'' star Jensen Ackles and longtime girlfriend Danneel Harris (''One Tree Hill''), who went public with their engagement at the Breeders' Cup in L.A. over the weekend.

VERY DOWN UNDER: After being booed onstage for her very obvious lip-syncing and being jeered as she entered and left her hotels in Australia this past week, Britney Spears has told her team -- and anyone else who will listen -- she will never again perform for an Aussie audience.

Spears reportedly has been very shaken by her poor reception in Australia -- ''and is very happy to be getting out of that country,'' said a longtime Spears insider.

HEADED HERE: ''Saturday Night Live'' star Andy Samberg hits town next Sunday to headline the Jewish United Federation Young Leadership Division's ''Big Event'' at the Swissotel Chicago. ... Hollywood badboy and ''The Hills'' reality star Brody Jenner will be back in town hosting ''Girls Night Out: The Little Black Dress'' fete Saturday at Enclave -- with all ladies strongly encouraged to don their favorite LBDs.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: Jackie Hoffman, who celebrates her birthday Wednesday, dropped by Second City Sunday to play a set with the e.t.c. cast (where she's a former ensemble member) -- in between rehearsals for the Broadway-bound ''The Addams Family'' musical and her own one-woman show ''Whining in the Windy City,'' opening at the Royal George Cabaret Nov. 30. ... David Navarro, co-host of Fox's ''Good Day Chicago,'' was spotted dining with pals at Pavilion restaurant in Northbrook.

BIG APPLE BUZZ: Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, who got decent reviews playing Roxie in ''Chicago'' in London''s West End, will reprise the role on Broadway, with a six-week run slated to begin next month.

• Kate Hudson has done something not even Alex Rodriguez's ex-wife could do -- get him to give up his regular poker games. Seems Hudson has convinced the World Champion Yankee slugger there are easier ways to throw away money -- especially given A-Rod is said to be a terrible card player.