Can Chris Brown's Career Be Saved?

Having pleaded not guilty to assault and criminal threats in conjunction with a brutal "alleged" attack on Rihanna at his arraignment Monday, Chris Brown now has three weeks until his next court date April 29 to hammer out a plea deal.

Whether he succeeds will depend, in large part, on who blinks first - presumably, a plea bargain would have already been agreed upon if the D.A. would let Brown avoid serving jail time, which his lawyers are actively seeking.

But so far, no agreement.

Will Brown agree to a shorter jail sentence in order to avoid a protracted trial and the maximum four year, eight month sentence he's facing? Or will the D.A. not want to potentially risk any chance of losing and agree to a slap on the wrist?

Either way, Chris Brown is 19. His life will go on, and as far as the future is concerned, the more important question for him is whether his career can be saved.

Chris Brown Pleads Not Guilty; Rihanna Wants Deal

Chris Brown entered a plea of not guilty to two felony charges - aggravated assault and making criminal threats - in court this afternoon at 3:26 p.m. PST.

With ex-girlfriend Rihanna, the victim in the "alleged" incident, nowhere in sight, Brown showed up at L.A. County criminal courthouse to officially face the music for "allegedly" pummeling her into oblivion back on February 8.

He is due back in court on April 29.

After hearing the counts against him, Brown was asked for his plea by the judge. The singer answered with a hushed, short "not guilty, your honor."

Brown's legal camp, headed by attorney Mark Geragos, has been working on a plea deal around the clock, with the goal of preventing him from having to serve jail time (he is looking at up to years and eight months if convicted).

Oprah to Bring Rihanna, Chris Brown Back Together?

Nearly two months after the brutal attack that left her unconscious and him in handcuffs, it's still unclear if Rihanna and Chris Brown have reconciled.

They haven't been seen together in public, nor have they been hanging out since he was seen jet skiing like a tool at Diddy’s Miami mansion last month.

In mid-March, it was rumored that they were sort of broken up again. Or at least taking a break (whatever that means) as his felony arraignment nears.

But another, public reconciliation may be in the works yet. Rumor has it that none other than Oprah is trying to them on her show - at the same time!

Oprah's camp denies this, but sources say she has secretly been talking to Rihanna for weeks. She also reportedly told her not to get back together with him.

Rihanna, however, apparently wants Chris Brown by her side if she appears on Oprah's show. She allegedly wants a public apology as well during the show.

"She's been having second thoughts about being back together," a source says. "Going on Oprah to tell the world how sorry he is will help make up her mind."

If there's any truth to this story, wow, talk about awkward. We just hope that Dr. Phil and Gloria Allred and Octomom find some way to cash in on it as well.