Screens Blog: Come Back, Little Britney

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By Virginia Heffernan

I had some hope last night, I guess, but now I know the truth: Britney’s gone, and she’s not coming back.

At MTV’s Video Music Awards (which you can watch right here, in little ad-flanked bites, in case you missed the broadcast), Britney Spears was the opening act.

You might begin by zooming in on her muffin top abs and her bleachy bedhead (do wigs come with this much sun damage?), or taking umbrage at her idle mouthing-of-the-words, which looks more like someone stopped at a light singing along with the radio than a pop star lip-synching her own song live onstage.

But that would just be unkind.

What’s actually stunning is her unwillingness even to try with the choreography. I mean, Britney used to like to dance. Now she can’t be bothered. She shuffles her feet like a wallflower. What Carol Gilligan process of girl-confidence-demolition happened to reduce her to this? Motherhood? Wifehood? Divorce? Divorce from her mother?

And then the real question: Why does Britney even show up when the curtain rises, now that song-and-dance looks like agony on her?

Enough already- I realize that America continues to have some morbid fascination with all things Britney. The press hype around her appearance last night, coupled with the coverage of her “partying” in Las Vegas only furthered to heighten our expectations. The performance itself showed bad taste in costume (since she obviously is the shadow of her former svelte self) and in her ability to lip sync in credible style. The sad truth is that we are all to blame for the demise of Britney. We idolized her, made her feel invincible, and spat her out once her coat of armour was pierced with bad behavior. Her parents are to blame too, for the constant push into stardom, lured by the allmighty dollar. Let’s not forget, according to her equally no-talent ex-husband, Britney still manages to bring in 700,000 in month in revenue. So feel sorry for her? Nah…just switch it off.

†Posted by Ken W

I was astounded. I’ve seen bad performances and bad performers on television before, but I can’t think of any performance I’ve seen that has come anywhere near this level of ineptitude, from either a performance or a public relations standpoint. She was awful and didn’t even seem to care…. And what of the rumors of her teaming with Criss Angel to add an optical illusion element to the performance? The only magic trick that took place last night was MTV and Britney teaming up to make all traces of the old Britney disappear.

†Posted by Earnest

I thought Britney gave the most real performance I’ve ever seen from her. A new direction, you could say. Instead of being hung up on projecting outdated pop perfection, she loosened up & created a lethargic, druggy, dream-like narco-dance, complete with slurred words & a for-real don’t-care attitude. Even if it wasn’t a conscious artistic choice & really was what everyone seems to think (a failed attempt at her old stage antics), it wasn’t dull. Great TV, great Britney.

†Posted by Henry J

She looks like Anna Nicole Smith!

†Posted by Joe Blow

Britney is the architect of her glass, but perhaps we should stop throwing stones………….

†Posted by mama

Why doesn’t anyone just come out and say she was on some sort of drug, recreational or otherwise.

†Posted by Steve

I wonder what MTV must have thought when they agreed for her to be the opening act, and then saw what was coming. You almost felt sorry for her when the cameras would cut away to audience memebrs and people were either staring in disbelief or holding back the giggles. It’s true… after a performance like this, which seemed her opportunity to prove to the world that she could come back, it’s over.

†Posted by Kyle

Try the choreography? She doesn’t KNOW the choreography.

A text book case of how glamorous hollywood is/isn’t.

†Posted by Mary

Britney’s performance last night was pitiful to say the least. She wasn’t even trying. I don’t care if she felt sick, or scared or what but it was God awful. It was her night to bring it- her big comeback that milions of fans were waiting for and she slapped all of her fans in the face with that awful performance. Jesus- Beyonce practically killed herself falling down the steps and the girl got right back up and was performing even harder! That is an entertainer. Britney- make up with your mom-she loves you. Be civil with Kevin, he is the father of your children. Look at yourself in the mirror girl, you owe it to yourself and your children. When you decide to really comeback- all your fans will be there to embrace it. For now though, it is time to stop the insanity and take care of yourself and your sons.

†Posted by Alexandra

i have to say with having (2) kids i wish i could have a body like that

†Posted by launsu

Peformance aside, which really was unprofessional, she looks great! Why is everyone commenting on how fat she is? I can’t believe how many people actually thought she was fat. Yeah, she’s heavier than she used to be, she’s also the mother of two kids. She can still wear a bikini without having spare tires hanging off of her. I just can’t believe people. I’m an active, healthy person, and my body is comparable to what she looked like last night, and most people consider me a slender girl- and this is in LA too (minus entertainment industry people of course who would prefer Mischa Barton, who likes like a holocaust victim).

Look, go on about how bad she was last night. After reading headlines, I was actually compelled to watch the beginning which airs three hours later here, and both her and Sarah Silverman were horrible. I didn’t bother watching the rest, because I was never going to watch it anyway. But Britney did not look fat at all. Bigger than normal, yes. But she still looks fit. Which is more than I can say for most of you who are probably extremely unhealthy and obese. And don’t give me that stuff about her being an entertainer- why should all our entertainers look like their sick and malnourished?

†Posted by Kajal

It’s culturally reprehensible that The New York times writes about this and the other Musketeer. Is Art really that Dead! Did you you realley loose your sense of class and taste? The Nytimes use to have standards now they compete with The New York Post and Access Hollywood…Pathetic. And the writing ugh! Spare me I’m going now!

†Posted by K. Morrison

The real answer is ” Why doesn’t Britney just show up in her REAL life!” Who cares anymore about this young has been. Certainly not the people who hyped this “comeback to what?”…or her hairdresser and choreographer. If being announced as bitch just before embarking on the stage to make a fool of one’s self is what’s required of her… PASS!! I guess she’ll be showing up next in reallllly bad porn. She should just clean up her act, start parenting her children and finally just grow up. This coming from a regular person who just feels sorry for her self generated victimization. Kim

†Posted by Kim

So is Britney the new Syd Barrett?

†Posted by pbg

Wrap it up, Brit. You’ve got enough money (I hope) to retire and to be a loving mother for your children. That’s what they need, and what so many mothers dream for. Enjoy motherhood, enjoy your wealth. Call music quits for everyone’s sake, but mostly for your integrity and that of your children. One day they will thank you for turning your life around.

†Posted by Maria

I’m more amazed at how people are so fascinated that Britney’s got a different body now. “Muffin-top abs?” That’s real classy.

She’s always been a lackluster singer, a mediocre performer - no need to harp on her physical condition which is in better shape than the majority of Americans.

†Posted by sunzari

Well here we are again trying to pass judgement on another seemingly troubled soul….I have an idea, why don’t we all try uplifting each other in prayer.Britney do your thang!

†Posted by Marie L.White

I dunno, she nails that crotch-grab of her male dance partner at 1:32. Overall, the performance is no more or less lazy and phoned-in than your average Screens blog, so where’s the complaint?

†Posted by Tdawwg

please leave her alone are you people telling me that you are any better NO i sincerely do not think so why not just get off your high horse and stop pretend that you are better

†Posted by jting

I’m astounded the NY Times is publishing articles like this.

†Posted by Brad

Reminded me of a friend who was a speed freak and cleaned up. Everybody said he just wasn’t any fun anymore.

Cart

†Posted by ECartman

I thought Britney’s performance was compelling.

†Posted by Dylan

What people refuse to believe is that this is the real Britney Spears. The “cute little princess” everyone worshipped back in the day was only possible due to an exercise and training schedule that could have been devised by the Marquis de Sade, the complete and utter dismissal of anything having to do with a normal childhood (such as play, education, etc.), and the very deliberate and intense sexualizing of a very young girl.

Yes, she’s gobsmackingly uneducated and ignorant, but only because the hours she should have spent studying were instead spent exercising to keep her rail-thin, toned to the millimetre, and stereotypically attractive enough to be marketable. Yes, she’s socially inept, but only because the hours she should have spent socializing with friends were instead spent on training and rehearsing so her live shows would be marketable. No, she’s no longer the gorgeous idol she was at age 16, but how can someone who spent her entire teenage years being controlled down to every morsel of food and every minute of time learn self-control?

I’d say that this might be a wake-up call to Hollywood to stop oversexualizing teenaged girls for profit, but let’s face it: in the minds of the public, the girl who continues to allow herself to be sexualized is a whore, while the girl who falls off the wagon is a cow. It’s her fault no matter what.

†Posted by Charlene

Britney is the new Paris Hilton. She’s now famous for being trashy and famous. YAWN.

†Posted by Whiteotter

It really was a sad performance indeed. I couldn’t belive I was watching Britney! As the Virginia suggests, it really looks like some random girl stopped at a traffic light to sing along a radio song, except this girl also looked like an American red neck! The performance had an air of “I don’t care” all over it - it was so sapped. I really felt pain in my heart for Britney. Didn’t her agents tell her this would be a disaster???

†Posted by ivan

I blame society.

I guess we just didn’t care enough about you, Britney.

Oh, the humanity!

†Posted by Mike

I thought she looked damn good, though moved damn slow. Hell, I’m a big ol’ fat guy and I can dance better than that.

†Posted by Turdis

Come on, Britney doesn’t look that bad. She needs to lose about 5 pounds on her stomach. What’s bad, or more accurately sad, is her dancing ability. She had no energy on stage. I don’t think she really cares that much anymore. If she did, she’d have practiced and gotten a good night’s sleep beforehand. Her handlers are trying to squeeze every last dime out of her old britney dancer-in-a-bikini image of years past. She needs to re-invent herself, not make a come-back. The latter is not possible anyways.

†Posted by Laura

I have watched this video at least four times now and I still can’t see what everyone else is complaining about. I especially like the routine she does with a male dancer starting at 2:05. Gimme more? Absolutely!

†Posted by Kevin F.

I’ve pulled calves from half-berserk mothers in mud sloughs in rainstorms who had more grace and sense of self than Britney did at the MTV show.

†Posted by magus_dee

What the hell is the author talking about? Britney has no muffin top, compared to some girls I know. For a woma who had two kids, her body looks decent. I however have to say that Britney should seriously take a hiatus , go on vacation/rehab, take care of her sons, and then try to have a comeback. It’s so sad that she’s going thru this at the age of 25.

†Posted by Dee

OK but it also seems to me that it would be very hard to dance in those high spiked heels.

†Posted by Skeezix

I guess I care. As I read these comments (agreeing with them fully, she is just pathetic) I’m thinking of her. If she was hanging by a thread before, then this may be it. In a few years we’ll see pictures of her on the National Enquirer, eating from the garbage. Which may be good tabloid fun, at least to see something different on the suppermarket line from Angelina, Brad, Jen, and their future matches and mismatches. Even asking someone to save her from herself seems beside the point now. Perhaps she’ll find refuge in Scientology… wait, I don’t think even Madonna-laced Kaballah could do the trick.

Say goodbye, kids.

†Posted by Sal

I really don’t understand why people even care, or even why I care so much as to reply to other peoples’ silly replies. For starters, she was never that talented. She lacked any creativity, and was a made pop star, as are most of them. She’s the product of song writers, choreographers, stylists, and producers. One could argue she had “intrepretive talent”, as she could dance, but her singing was never out of this world. The biggest thing she brought to her own table was pretty packaging, which everyone is now complaining she has lost. The last time I looked, she didn’t look THAT bad. Sure, she was not as thin as she once was, but she’s still not huge. She’s had two kids, so give her a break! Besides, she’s still quite the looker. Get over it people, but I guess that goes for me, too.

†Posted by Jamie

Ken W.,

How could you even try to blame the public for Britney’s demise? With over $100,000,000 in the bank and past fame, and I do mean past, she has learned that work is not necessary anymore. My Heq, she can lay in bed with her mouth open every day and just let food fall into it.

‘Tail.

†Posted by Hardtaill

I think she looks great for a mother of two! Her performance while lackluster, could have been potentially worse. Give her a break, it’s her first big performance back from a long hiatus.

On a side note, GOD how I despise that K-FED junkie husband who used and dumped her. He ruined her life! Who WOULDN’T be a trainwreck after being married to such a loser. Brit better have learned her lesson. Hopefully she isn’t with that weird magician guy Criss Angel..aaahhh it’s like a nightmare “OOoops she did it again!”.

I would give her another year and see what happens. Don’t count Britney out JUST yet!

†Posted by Kittster

OK, I will take a stab at what happened to Britney. She has a substance abuse problem. Now, well meaning psychiatrists most likely have added to the rich stew of potential mood altering chemical choices she can make each day, having diagnosed her with one or more emotional disorders in addition to addiction. Robin Williams famously said “cocaine is life’s signal that you are making too much money.” But equally intoxicating pills are available by prescription, and labeled to be taken “as needed” for anxiety. One class of anti-anxiety drugs affects the same part of the brain as alcohol. The brain can’t tell if it’s owner has taken a pill or a drink. Self awareness is impossible under these circumstances. No opportunity “To see ourselves as others see us” and reconsider out of bounds behavior. (Paula Abdul?)I deal with addicts and alcoholics who are trying to recover almost every day. Most who successfully stay clean and return to productive lives are not on multiple cocktails of drugs, prescribed or otherwise. There are many people who can take medications and function, but those who can’t all too frequently aren’t well monitored or truly helped. Some go on for years in a prescription drug haze, asking why they can’t quit their illegal drugs and alcohol. Perhaps we should make over prescription illegal the same as “over serving” at bars.

†Posted by Phil D

Never was a Britney fan but she could put on one hell of a performance. That’s why people are making such a big deal about it. In all the performance wasn’t awful except yeah, for Britney it was. This isn’t up to Britney’s standards. I don’t know who that was on stage but it wasn’t Britney. Something just didn’t seem right. Was she drunk, high, stoned?

†Posted by Jalera

The worst performance I’ve ever seen. Yes, she was awful, I can’t believe she WAS a superstar.

†Posted by Nelly

I took a moment to watch both videos–the Gimme disaster and the python dance. What I find interesting is that Ms. Spears NEVER danced very well. Like Madonna, she sold her persona with an electronically enhanced li’l girl voice, big gimmicks on stage, and some brilliantly timed exercise moves. If she had singing or dancing genius, she would be spared the cruel remarks about her body. But she sold herself with sex, and that will always be the standard by which she is (harshly) judged.

†Posted by MissMiss

The reason that Brit seems like a hollow shell is obvious. See here:

http://tinyurl.com/27vrkd

Hugs, Buns and Chou

†Posted by Buns and Chou Chou

ummm…isn’t this just like every Britney show ever? ..I’m not seeing a difference in the level of crap here compared to anything else i’ve seen her do..maybe everyone just realized what some of us already knew..Britney always has and always will suck. She just forced you to recognize it. Here’s a big fat mean spirited LOL!! right at all of you!

†Posted by jasonq

Actually, she rather looks like the whole thing was someone else’s idea and she’s just completing the contract….

†Posted by j.fo

Hey come on!, at least britney made more moves than rihana who was just walking around the set!

†Posted by Eve

*sigh* Surely the NYT could have come up with something more dignified to write about … oh, wait, it’s the MTV awards. My, what was I thinking?

So, after skimming through the comments, I felt compelled to watch both videos. I say, in the older one–I felt sorry for the snake.

In this one, I’d say that she felt fat and was trying to avoid jiggle. Maybe her performance wouldn’t have been so lack-luster if they didn’t throw her on stage in her underwear. I could think of a million more flattering things to wear while jumping up and down with a crowd of physically “fit” people in front of a massive audience.

As for her music and dancing: her singing was just a vehicle for someone else’s musical “talent”. Her dancing was taught by professionals. There was never a real person to idolize.

†Posted by Inky

So Britney Spears sucks. Big deal. What makes her any worse than the rest of American pop culture?

Is Jessica Simpson any better than Britney Spears? Or her sister whatever her name is? Or Gwen Stephanie? Or Christina Aguilera? Janet Jackson?

Here’s a secret for you: It all sucks and it’s always sucked. There isn’t any music anymore, just stupid bimbos doing jumping jacks that morons call dancing.

Wake up! It’s all a sham.

†Posted by Mr. Lucas Brice

K FED!

Use this video in family court!

She has a spot light shining directly on her face and her pupils are at least 7mm.

I’m a medical provider, and I’m telling you, she’s doing drugs hard enough to blow her pupils wide. Alcohol doesn’t do this to you.

Cheers

†Posted by Scott Robinson

OK..i’m a longstanding hardcore drug addict, for better or worse…and my sympathetic recognition says this girl is on some kind of benzodiazapene with a dash of coke and possibly a little drinky-poo..tolerance notwithstanding- “little” and “dash” being relative.

†Posted by JookieSoda

Ok Ill take a stab at this. I am fasinated by her somnanbulant performance. I’ve never seen anything like this weaving in and out of thinking she’s cool into complete loss. Two entirely different universes. You know like real…unreal…real….unreal. This is really happening …it’s not really happening…it happening…it’s not really happening. This was an actual documentation of a young girl with out a clue.

†Posted by dancer

I find it amusing that so may people who either “don’t care” or think the Times is above this sort of drivel managed to read through all those comment to get to the place to post a message.

And yes, it was a horrible performance on every level. I’ve seen Mick Jagger so jacked up on drugs that he didn’t know his own name do a better job.

†Posted by Fifty-Two Eighty

Britney - take the money and run, girl. Grab the kids, buy a farm somewhere far from Hollywierd, get fat and have fun. You don’t need this stuff anymore - flip them all the bird and retire into blissful oblivion.

†Posted by jessique

Britney needs help. She is obviously bipolar. She needs to step out of the limelight and move back to Louisiana, an island….something. She needs to reconnect with people who truly love and care for her. Britney is currently walking on a tightrope with no net.

If she ever wants to entertain again, its time she step away to take care of herself before she loses her kids or become so far gone mentally that she can not recover.

Sad…. She needs help….

†Posted by coosie

Britney looked like she had no desire to perform, she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but on that stage. It was a spectacle, which was what MTV wanted, one way or another.

As for her figure, she is still pretty hot. Her bum looked kind of big when you turned her back to the camera… I guess the question is whether her outfit was appropriate? The outfit was definitely setting her up for putdowns, not a wise choice.

†Posted by 0_o

Britney, although famous, is still a human being. People need to remember that. She has feelings too.

†Posted by jennifer

I can’t believe someone just compared her to madonna!! madonna came from a genuine club scene and was a professional dancer since her college days back in Michigan, she went to NY as an adult and while she was never a prude, she was certainly not in the limelight since a youngster and certainly not sexually exploited by others as a teenager. She was clear about her vision and dream that she followed with hard work, and I highly doubt she EVER demonstrated such carelessness onstage!!!

A vicim of society? we all are…I myself have 2 kids same age of Britney’s, has had a kfed for a baby’s daddys, went to divorce and still manage to look in better shape than her, happier, healthier…and im not a millionaire with all the help in the world readily available, mind you. If we all were responsible, honest and stopped giving excuses we could be better individuals, thus a better society.

I hope she can take the bst out of this huge stinker and retire to take care of herself and her kids and find her true self. We should all wish her best since apparently people around her don’t.

†Posted by beastly femme

I blame Lewinsky.

†Posted by Garrett Long

#54, I disagree. I don’t think people NEED to remember that. Be more precise in the future. Thanks.

†Posted by Fred

Has anyone considered that by turning in a dopey, lame performance Britney Spears gets much more press than if she had done a solid, or even a terrific, job?

She can’t lose. Her Q-rating only goes up, and she preserves the opportunity to have a “real” comeback later.

If she shows up in a couple of years newly fit and perky, everyone will fall all over themselves to re-embrace her. If she spirals further downward, well, she still has enough money for a lifetime of substance abuse.

As to the person who says she didn’t get to grow up because she had to spend all her time working out… C’mon, seriously, is there anyone in America who wouldn’t gladly spend 4-5 hours a day at a gym in exchange for the fame and fortune Spears has (and instead of spending 8-10 hours in a Dilbertesque cubicle)?

Cue the world’s tiniest violin for Britney.

†Posted by Hudson

Unfortunately she’s mortal like the rest of us.

That idiot so-called comic, Sarah Silverman, lacked class, however. It’s one thing to take cheap shots at Britney who may deserve it, but it’s another to take cheap shots at her kids.

I wish Silverman would dry up and go away. Her act is as pathetic as Britney Spears’s breakdown.

†Posted by Mark R.

She wasn’t on any drugs. That was the problem. Some little blue pills could have helped that desperate performance, I think.

But yes, another strung out child star who’s now but a faint shadow of her former self. Very sad, and so forth.

†Posted by Darren

I think the comments about her weight are a bit cruel and unfair. The outfit was probably not a good choice but no way is she fat. And, I can’t help but think that she doesn’t have a friend in the world. No friend would have let her perform. She needs more help and less judging.

†Posted by Valerie

As a professor of popular culture, I spent all night watching the shocked public reaction to Britney’s debacle unfold on the blogs. Thousands of comments were posted on perezhilton.com within just a few hours. Many, many people care enough to weigh in on this, so I see nothing wrong with the NY Times covering it. Britney has never been a great talent–but she has been an extraordinarily charismatic performer, and that’s how she built a large fan base. A significant proportion of those commenting on the various blogs and entertainment sites last night–I’d estimate between 30 and 50 percent–appeared to be Britney fans who were pulling for her and hoping she’d have a triumphant comeback on the MTV Awards. These were the people most disappointed in her rivetingly pathetic spectacle. But life is NOT over for Britney (although the inexcusably vicious Sarah Silverman says it is). Americans love redemption and celebrity roller coasters. And they WANT to love Britney. If she gets herself treatment for the obvious substance abuse problem she has, reinvents herself (as a poster above noted is necessary, not a comeback) and goes on stage in a tasteful costume and with her wits about her, she will rise again. I look forward to seeing it.

†Posted by Montana M

For having two kids, I think she looks good. For being an entertainer, she doesn’t. I was one of those people who said she looked fat, only because she has the money to hire a personal trainer who could leave her fit and in good condition to do any choreography she wants, because let’s face it, it’s Britney. However, she lacks that feeling of wanting to lose everything on stage like she used to. I am sad, because she should have been aware that this was going, either to take her to a better level, or destroy her forever. Pity, because she had it all. Even the song is pretty damn good. I just wish she still cared about her fans, and do the effort for them.

†Posted by Sof A.

Since she’s not having a movie career, has always relied on others to package her, & at age 25 & possessing a mature body is passing beyond relevance for the 10-13 year old girls who comprise her core audience, Britney might as well stay in Vegas.

†Posted by Wesley Lake

I had a feeling Britney’s “comeback” was going to be one of embarrassment-the old Britney is no more, which is not a bad thing; it’s inevitable. It’s clear that Britney has not had the time (nor the apparent readiness) to delve into herself deep enough to render a spectacular performance of her own. This performance appears to be a mockery…A great performance comes from passion, and passion is lacking in Britney right now. She is being challenged to find herself in a maze of superficial fluff.

Through understanding one cannot be hurt…Britney’s opinion of herself is what matters most.

†Posted by Ctruth

Britney looked amazing, especially considering everything she has been through recently. She could have had some more energy but the performance was not bad either. The more I watch it, the more I like it. Everyone just wants something to talk about and people love to hate.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ITS BRITNEY BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

†Posted by mandy

I think it is pathetic that the NY times is covering this type of media - YAWN.

It shows that she was made marketable to an audience at a young age - controlled down to every detail to monopolize a package. While she should have been studying and socializing she was busy dancing dieting and having her image micro managed. Her family and mother should look deeply at themselves and apologize to her - she should pull in figure her life out and then move on.

America pop culture can be so disheartening - she is not fat - does she need people managing her career if she continues as a performer and wants to sell a package - yes.

We embrace her because of her flaws, we watch her to measure ourselves as it unravels and she becomes more “real” we ridicule. Move on already.

†Posted by Kimber

I thought she was just GREAT! She is on her way back to the top. For those who did not like her performance, GET A LIFE!

†Posted by Ted

It’s weird because the first thing I thought when I saw her was how good she looked for having two kids!! You are delusional if you think she is fat. And her legs look great! As for her performance - no comment.

†Posted by Stephanie

Nobody forced anyone to watch this… and it’s not very good. Is that really a big deal? Fact is, she is a pop star, not a world class singer, dancer, or composer of music. She never has been, although in the past she’s been well rehearsed, professionally choreographed, and with better songs to lip-sync to.

If I were her, stepping out in barely any clothes in front of a pretentious music industry audience ready to laugh at her every fault, I’d be pretty “uninterested,” too. Maybe she took one look at some of the “look-at-me-I’m-better-than-you” classless outfits in the audience and realized she’d rather be spending time with her children than a self-congratulating “music award” show full of vain fame vultures. On drugs, people want to accuse? Perhaps it was a rare moment of clear lucidity!

Don’t WE have better things to do than to be malicious to a young mother of two recovering from a parasitic marriage and a publicly exploited childhood? I know she makes ot soooo easy, but that doesn’t make it any better.

I’ve never followed this young woman’s career, don’t know any of her songs, and mainly ignored her publicity, positive or negative. Yes, the “comeback” was pretty bad, poor girl. As a performer, I hope she’s got someone to give her a genuine hug after that.

Tommy

†Posted by Tommy

Maybe she’s just sick of being objectified and tired of the whole scene. Hopefully her rock bottom isn’t too low. If she hits it, then gets help and overcomes maybe she’ll come back with some different and substantial material to sing about and a healthier respect for herself. Who knows maybe she’ll come back with her CLOTHES ON and a message to young girls as to what happens when you allow yourself to be exploited. Whatever happens, I think she’s beautiful and can’t wait for the gold.

†Posted by Kristin

C’mon! It was not THAT bad. I have seen FAR worse performances (and far better) by some of the top singers in the world. Every appearance and every performance can’t be a miracle.

She gave it a good shot and considering where she was 3 months ago, I think we should all be impressed. Take her for what she is, an entertainer-she’s never been a great voice or a genius. One thing she has accomplished? She has every single one of us thinking about her, her song, her appearance, her new album for the last week (and probably through the next months.) She’s already won.

†Posted by Dan

I admit that Britney’s performance at the VMA’s yesterday wasn’t good. But really to call her children Two Little MISTAKES? That WAS Awful Sarah Silverstone(who Ever you are) Are you Mad?, you should be hospitalized immediately. I think you should REALLY apologize to Britney Spears.

†Posted by Lisandy

I agree with Jennifer…Those people who are too righteous and judgmental need to stand in front of the mirror and admit to themselves they, too need help like Britney… Isn’t it better to give hope to other teenage girls who dream of being sticks and bones that having a healthy body is all right?…I think it’s not just supermodels who give those girls so much pressure but too much expectations from people like you… I say wake up!…Start thinking of better things for good karma!

Ciao, Lovey

†Posted by Lovey

For any of the parents out there that didn’t recognize Britney was high as a kite, need to have their kids immediately drug tested. Why are the people around Britney so oblivious to this girl’s serious problems. What is everyone waiting for… for her to OD or commit suicide. I guess the public will just eat it up, like Anna Nicole’s death. People love nothing more than building people up and then watching them fall.

†Posted by chris

I was very disappointed in the Britney performance last night. That “spark” that she once had is no longer there. I love to see her dance and it was sad to see her just shuffle her feet around. I really think the only way she is going to get ahead is if she starts explaining herself.

†Posted by Kateri

I finally saw the video just now after reading 24 hours of internet gossip. First, she’s not anywhere near fat. She actually looks damn good for a two-time mother. Second, the performance was not horrible. She didn’t seem to forget any of the choreography; she just lacked her usual gusto with the moves. Yeah, she should have practiced more.

†Posted by Sam

Her dreadful lipsynch and drugged/’I don’t care’ choreography reminded me of Courtney Love from a couple years ago when she was a real trainwreck.

The girl is only 25 and supposed to be a pop star, not a punk rocker.

†Posted by Young

ok first.. i dpnt quite understand why ppl are saying she needs to loose weight. Britney is perfect the way she is and from what i heard she healthier than she has ever been. i can see now that the media has brain washed everyone into beleiving that being a size 1 is beautiful and the way too go i think ita was brave of Britney to show off her figure the way she did u shouldnt care about what othere ppl think about u no matter what and she is a good example of that she doesnt give a damn about what ppl say about her and i love that about her she’s who she is and like she said she never labeled herself as a role model she is who she is and if u dont like it then .. thats too damn bad !! love ya britney ur body looks amazing girls would kill to have that figure even now… thanks for being urself and not trying to be something ur not~!!!

†Posted by diana

Britney just hated the routine she was performing! She walked through it bored! Mtv owes her apology for making her carry their awful show on her shoulders!

†Posted by oscar

Time for an intervention.

†Posted by Chaka Jones

First of all, she’s had an amazing career (no, I’ve never been a fan)- and opportunities that most young aspiring singers would kill for. She’s made some unfortunate choices- a bad marriage, two back to back pregnancies, partying way too much, and firing the people hired to guide her career.

She’s been photographed sans panties numerous times, waded into the ocean in her underwear, shaved her head, drove with her child in her lap, barely there for magazine interviews, irresponsible behavior, etc.. I feel sorry for her, she’s gone from a hot entertainer to an overly photographed trainwreck.

I read this morning that she arrived 3 hours late for rehearsals at the VMA show, had been partying, etc. She has a new CD coming out, and she hasn’t really performed in a couple of years. This was an opportunity to turn things around- this was her chance to really shine. But she blew it- she was unprepared, unrested, wearing an outfit that was simply unflattering. A bad performance in a room full of her peers- I can’t think of anything more embarassing! Later that evening, she was photographed getting out of a car without underwear. Britney obviously needs help, at 25 I truly believe her career is over. Like the movie, “All About Eve”- there are scores of young singers out there that would be happy to take her place.

†Posted by P-Girl

To those telling her to retire, she is way too young. Everyone is underestimating how much money it takes to live her lifestyle, especially as she has no financial skills whatsoever, who knows who is handling her money at this point.

I never thought I’d say this but K-Fed is looking better & better as the one to award custody to with each passing day.

Brittany should never have got on stage in that outfit, she knows what she looked like before and she is not there, she should have put on some clothes & worked hard on her performance. Instead from all reports she was spending her time in vegas drunk & high. She knows as an entertainer that she should have waited to party until after her comeback performance. She has been firing people around her left & right, so it’s not that people have not been trying to give her advice, she’s just not taking it. It’s her own fault that she has become such a failure, you can’t blame it on a man, the media etc. A good lesson to all woman, control your destiny, many woman just foolishly refuse to take the control they have.

She has the resources to have a family, maintain her figure and have a career, she just isn’t taking charge of her life. People who are on the pity Brittany bandwagon, should start being more concerned about her children, who have to spend their lives under her inept care.

Thank god they have a nanny, it’s probably their only chance to have someone who is actually concerned about them & takes care of the.

†Posted by maria

I felt sorry for Brittney. I hope this will be a wake-up call for her..I’m sure she doesnot want to be thought of as a has-been. She needs to open her eyes and see what is happening..

†Posted by Connie

I blame her lack of dance moves on the high heels. She looked like she could barely walk, let alone dance.

She looked ok, and the song was fine for what it was — a lame, bubble gum tune. Gimme gimme… a break.

†Posted by momo

Just another beautiful train wreck… terrible to watch but you can’t take your eyes off of her. I am afraid

†Posted by DaveM

I have no idea what Ms. Heffernan and all of the Spears detractors are talking about. Who doesn’t love a beaver-shot every now and again. Her performance on MTV was not so bad either. Yes, her dancing didn’t have that youthful snap it once did, but she looked incredibly graceful on stage and very much in her element. Confident and sexy.

†Posted by young_sun

I believe MTV knew exactly what they were doing. The camera shots were priceless. I’m sure the guy who chose what camera to use at what angle was promoted. Maybe 50 cent always has a blank stare and that look on his face was not of shock from a lackluster performance. Maybe the audience saw something we did not. I have heard comments from the other artists that it could have been better. But the girl’s performance probably looked disastrous after the control room pieced it together for us at home.

†Posted by devi

Look, we all have had bad times in our lives, if you say you haven’t you would be lying. Leave her alone, give her a break, the only reason that her lifestyle is broadcasted for everyone to see is because YOU can’t get enough. YOU wouldn’t like for your life to be all over the papers everytime you were HUMAN would you? Give her some time, she will be back if she wants to. Britney, don’t let people get you down, if they are truly friends and want to see you back in the same place you used to be, then they will back you, give you advice when asked and let you be yourself, whichever that may take you. They are either going to support you when things or bad or critize you for everything THEY think you are doing wrong. Girl, do your thang. You will always have TRUE FAN support. I am a mother of 3 and both my girls love you no matter what, I still think you can acheive whatever goals you want.

†Posted by Robin

She accomplished what she wanted more and more publicity!!! imagine even the New York Times is writing about Britney, choreography and fat bellies! Is our fault that she´s like that… Poor Britney…

†Posted by Francis

She was terrible, and it looked as if she hadn’t rehearsed at all. It was particularly striking how unprofessional she was when you looked at the dazzling set (the designer did HIS job), the crisp work by the dancers, the excellent costuming for everybody else. Not only did Britney not bother to be good, or practiced, or even clean and sober, but she wouldn’t even put herself into the hands of a designer who wouldn’t have bared her midriff, or of the hairdresser who did her dancers’ modish haircuts.

But as shameful as all this was, the real story of the night is that Sarah Silverman, for a little cheap shock and nervous laughter, is willing to go after a couple of very young and completely innocent kids. Britney’s children weren’t up there offering themselves for display. Silverman should be ashamed, but I doubt if she’s capable of that. She’s one of those shock comix who jumps way across the line, then apologizes (as she did to Paris Hilton), then jumps way across the line again with the intention of apologizing again if it backfires. And this happens over and over.

I hope Britney loses child custody, for the kids’ sake, but if she does, will the Sarah Silvermans of this world stop punishing her children THEN?

†Posted by ducdebrabant

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All NYTimes.com Blogs »

With television and the Internet converging at last, whos going to watch all this here-goes-nothing online video? Everything from political propaganda videos to pseudo-candid celebrity rants seems to expect an audience. "Screens" will find, review and make sense of all those senseless new images: web video, viral video, user-driven video, custom interactive video, embedded video ads, web-based VOD, broadband television, diavlogs, vcasts, vlogs, video podcasts, mobisodes, webisodes, mashups and more.

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Virginia Heffernan is a television critic for The Times. Before coming to the newspaper, she wrote for Slate, and before that she was an editor at Harpers and Talk magazines. In 2005, she published a comic novel, "The Underminer," which she wrote with Mike Albo.

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