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Jamie Lynn's Uncertain Future

Thu., Dec. 20, 2007 12:20 PM PST by Sarah Hall

So, Jamie Lynn Spears is the unwitting star of her very own Knocked Up sequel. What now?

There's little doubt that the 16-year-old starlet's pregnancy will have major consequences on her career prospects, though it's unclear whether her Nickelodeon series, Zoey 101, will be immediately affected.

Production on the fourth season of the tween series wrapped in August, and the network has new episodes slated to air in February, so Spears' soon-to-be burgeoning baby bump won't be an on-camera issue for the near future.

Nickelodeon has not yet commented on its plans for Zoey, beyond issuing a statement saying the network respects the star's "decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation."

However, in the wake of Spears' announcement, the network confirmed it is in discussions on a special for its young viewers about sex and love. Veteran newswoman Linda Ellerbee, who has done past shows for kids on topics such as same-sex parents, AIDS, the Columbine shooting and President Clinton's impeachment scandal, is reportedly in talks to host.

Upon breaking her news, Spears told OK! magazine she hadn't spoken to Nickelodeon directly about the situation but that she was holding out hope of maintaining a relationship with the network.

"They have always been so great to me over the past years and have given me so many opportunities," she said.

However, the fact that Zoey caters to the 10- to-14-year-old set, a demographic whose parents likely don't want them looking up to a pregnant teen, could prove problematic for the network, which obviously wants to avoid alienating its viewers.

Furthermore, advertisers may choose to pull sponsorships from the show to avoid aligning their products with the controversy.

Meanwhile, Spears isn't the only member of her family whose prospects may be affected by her impending motherhood.

Her mother, Lynne, who will soon be a grandmother of three, saw her planned book on parenting high-profile children placed on indefinite hold by her Christian publisher.

A spokesperson for the publisher declined to comment on whether Jamie Lynn's pregnancy contributed to the decision to shelve the memoir but told E! News the company was "standing behind Lynne at this time."

On the bright side, big sister Britney—who has been the poster child for bad behavior over the past year—may actually benefit from having the spotlight temporarily shifted away from her every move.

A rep for the singer told E! News Britney was aware of Jamie Lynn's situation, "wishes her sister nothing but the best and asks for privacy during this time.

According to the young mother-to-be, she is currently 12 weeks along with the child of boyfriend Casey Aldridge.

"It was a shock for both of us, so unexpected," the high school junior told OK! "I was in complete and total shock, and so was he."

Perhaps in the hopes of avoiding some of the same pitfalls as her older sister, Spears said she has no plans to subject her child to the trials of a Hollywood rearing.

Instead, she said she would raise her baby at home in Louisiana, "so it can have a normal family life."