Coke vs. Pepsi. Kennedy vs. Castro. Heidi vs. L.C. Epic yet minor rifts when compared to the timeless power struggle between New York and Los Angeles. In the name of settling this battle royale, each week Radar will take stock and determine which city truly holds the competitive edge.

This week: They say that tragedy can bring out the best, and worst, in a person. Apparently the same goes for cities. In the wake of Heath Ledger's unexpected death, both New York and Los Angeles had opportunities to show softer, gentler sides. As it turns out, neither city is soft, nor particularly gentle. Would this crap fly in Chicago?

L.A.: Paparazzi continue their investigations of Britney's nether-regions. The Internet becomes an even more lonely and soulless place when, subsequently, photo agency X-17 posts the pop star's "incredibly nasty" lady-stainage on its blog. Is uterine lining no longer sacred?
NYC: Paparazzi clamor outside 421 Broome St., jockeying for the money shot: Heath Ledger's body being wheeled out of the SoHo apartment.
Advantage: A slim win for L.A.

L.A.: Snow!
NYC: New Yorkers continue to enjoy a snow-free winter. Except the kind that's being rolled into Spitzer's new "crack tax."
Advantage: NYC

L.A.: The Los Angeles Times gets back in the endorsement game, but holds off on releasing their picks until this weekend. Wusses.
NYC: Scooped by a little-known website called Radar, the Times makes an early declaration of their endorsements, managing to tell off Rudy Giuliani in the process. Says the Times: Rudy is a "narrow, obsessively secretive, vindictive man." (This is the political version of classic Clueless diss, "You're a virgin who can't drive.")
Advantage: NYC

L.A.: Britney Spears slid behind the wheel, then sidled up to the elementary school in her continuing quest to out-crazy Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, and that blonde woman who used to date Ellen.
NYC: L.A. transplant Kimora Lee Simmons will no longer be able to enjoy the tremendous parking benefits afforded New York City's corrections officers.
Advantage: NYC

L.A.: Notable headline: "Cadaver Exhibit: Who Said Okay?"
NYC: Notable headline: "Evil Lesbian Mom Left Toddler to Die Slow Death"
Advantage: L.A.

FINAL SCORE:
L.A.: 2
NYC: 3

New York for the win. True, it's a shameful win covered in the tears of oprhaned children and the blood of God-loving patriotic Americans, but a win nonetheless.

Tune in next week as the battle rages on ...