xtcian

Xtina is not crazy??? Did you catch her during the Dirtty tour or whatever it was, when she was all pierced up and writhing around in her videos wearing a tissue and chaps? Now she is all cleaned up, married, pregnant, and trying to channel a 1930's diva. You are right about her talents, though. Xtina has A VOICE unlike all others.

Everyone needs to get off Britney's back. I feel badly for her. She has been nothing but a cash cow for the music industry and MTV since she hit puberty, and now it seems as though Sony and MTV have thrown her to the wolves. Apparently, people are disposable in the music biz, no matter who they are.

Yeah, her performance stunk. But you know what? She is a Mama now. And I feel for her because I am a Mama too. Am I as sharp at work now as I was before I had my daughter? No. Do I look as good as I did before I had a baby? No. Am I overwhelmed by all sorts of unexpected distractions that accompany becoming a parent? Yes. Ditto for Britney. Plus, she is young, rich, and apparently trying to re-live a youth that she did not really have the chance to experience the first time around.

I am sure that you won't agree with me. That's fine. But remember, she is not a commodity -- she is the Mama of two little boys, and she deserves to be treated kinder than this.

LFMD, you are a sweetheart to remind us that Britney is more than a bad joke and that she faces challenges both personal and professional.

However, my own reaction to the VMA opener was that, with all the immense talent out there waiting to get on stage and inspire people, why why why was she given prime billing? Cynically, it was to draw an audience eager to see the train wreck that obediently went according to script. But if I were someone truly talented, with a really hot song to perform, on the top of my game, I would be ripshit at a system that puts someone as ill prepared, lost in space, and modestly talented as Britney on center stage at the VMAs.

And Ian, you said this: "I pretty much always think more weight is healthy, if not downright sexy." Which means that I have to love you now. ;-) (My hubby agrees, thank God.)

Britney was given a chance to make things a lot easier on herself: Timbaland cleared a week off of his packed schedule and agreed to produce a duet between Britney and Justin Timberlake to kick off the VMAs, which Justin (for no apparent reason other than loyalty/pity for his Mouseketeer era love) agreed to do. Shortly before recording was to begin, Britney backed out for unspecified reasons, choosing to go it alone. She really could've used an assist from her old pal Justin.

I'm no Spears fan, and her VMA performance was completely subpar, but what I find most appalling about the whole event is the barrage of criticism regarding her being physically "out of shape." Media outlets that make excuses for celebrities' repeat DUI busts are complaining that Britney has let herself go because now, six years and two children later, she doesn't look exactly the way she did when she was an active, childless, 19-year-old dancer.

She looks a helluva lot better than I expected.

LFMD - I don't think Britney gets the Mama defense because she doesn't act like a Mama. And I don't mean that she needs to act totally prim and proper and stop dancing, etc. I mean she needs to put her kids' well-being as a top priority - like taking rehab seriously, like not attacking other people's vehicles (an act that could potentially land her in jail) and not driving around with her kids not in carseats. When she starts taking being a mama seriously, then I'll give her the "mama defense".

Some weeks ago, the show we produced went up as part of the Fringe Festival, and we ended up doing pretty well. Got good reviews and our play (more specifically, Mac Rogers) won the playwright award. My wife's direction was so well-regarded that she now has work lined up and more in the future. My performance was enough to be offered several different projects.

We don't have any money, seriously. We produced the show, my wife directed it and I acted in it, and we can't afford one single night of babysitting or a single day of daycare. We threw ourselves on the mercy of our families and friends, and the play ended up being worth it.

Once Jordana and I got offers for follow-up work, we sat down and figured out what was most important. I turned everything down and Jordana took work because one of us has to be here with our kids. I turned down work because in order to do what we do well, it requires not just the hours of rehearsal, but the hours of private preparation outside of rehearsal.

I say this to point out, Britney has enough money to have full time help with her children (meaning she has all the time she could possible want) and enough talent to put on a performance on par with her other VMA highlights.

When an artist fails, it's a shame because what they had worked so hard to achieve simply didn't translate. The early years of the DADA movement, or "Brown Bunny" or David Hirson's "La Bete" come to mind. But these artists put their shoulder to the wheel and tried with everything they had.

Britney should be ashamed of herself. There are millions of enormously talented people out there and there are even incredibly good, famous people at the top of the charts RIGHT NOW who could have used that opening moment of the VMAs to solidify their careers.

This speaks to Ian's post yesterday, a demand for excellence. Britney should not be spared a moment's criticism for her performance. Her body looked great, better than any other mother of two I've seen, but what she did with her life of leisure is a kick in the face to every person currently toiling in the trenches.

Not to defend her behavior lately (especially as a mother) or her performance, but MTV knew what they were doing, and I think that they knew how she was going to perform. Why else would they have Sarah Silverman follow her opening act? Thrown to the wolves indeed!

I guess I'll step in and take the politically incorrect position (a rare position for me, to be honest).

I think it is perfectly fair for the media and others to criticize her for being out of shape. The issue is not whether she is "fat" by the standards of a typical mother of two (she's not), but whether she is fat by the standards applicable to the professional role she has chosen. She is selling herself as a scantily clad, dance-driven pop star. If you are dressing for that role, part of the job is to be in shape. And this isn't necessarily some kind of gender-based double standard. If a defensive lineman in the NFL misses a season due to injury, then returns to training camp the following year both overweight and out of shape from failing to rehab diligently, media and fans rightfully call that player fat and slow. It's the same thing. I may not be fat and weak by father of four standards, but if I purported to be a football player, I would rightfully be called fat and weak.

Britney could have avoided this whole thing by: (a) choosing a different outfit; and (b) better preparing for the performance. In other words, doing her job. If her priorities are elsewhere, then she shouldn't be out there.

You know, I feel like a jerk spending time thinking about Britney's performance on today of all days. I mean, who gives a f&*%k in the big scheme of things?

Be well and take care, everyone.

Today's subject matter was supposed to be a direct antidote to the barrage of bullshit being foisted on us by a certain anniversary. I've had it with this yearly scarefest, and won't indulge in it anymore.

Sorry. I see your point. Didn't mean to sidetrack your rant. The date still stops me cold. I need a bigger antidote than Lexapro and Britney's midsection.

That said . . . Kanye West was ripped off! For a true double header disaster, they should have had Amy Winehouse perform with Britney!

And Sarah Silverman is a mean bitch.

Yeah, I would say there isn't really a double standard in this regard. Shaq was always called out of shape, and that guy played starter's minutes in the NBA. Once he lost 40 pounds, he started playing like the younger, thinner Shaq.

It could be that if Britney is meant to be a dancer, she'd have an easier time of it with a dancer's body.

As to what is important and isn't...

In New York, we celebrate the NYPD and FDNY as much as we can for their heroism on that day, and we remember, also, that every single death on that day, from the people in the building to the folks who charged in to save them, could have been prevented if our leaders had their eye on the ball.

In that regard, today is no different than any other day.

To Ian. Love, Laurie

http://gawker.com/news/the-marketplace-of-ideas/emotional-fan-defends-britney-spears-298684.php

I so rarely enter the fray.. I can't believe Britney is my motivation.

But here's the thing... She's a performer - she's doesn't have a fantastic voice and she's a fun though limited dancer. Her success comes from well-produced catchy tunes and sexy, sassy shows.

So, she tanked in her talent. I don't really see why I'm supposed to give her a break. Nor do I have any interest in savaging her and I have found most of the coverage just ugly and sad. But, she wasn't entertaining or exciting and that was her job.

As for the motherhood thing... I feel like I am both smarter and in better shape since becoming a mother. It helps that I've been in middling shape most of my life - so it's not that hard to be in *better* shape.

But I am definitely better at my job. I don't know if that relates to motherhood or age... but there's no doubt that I am sharper now. More focused. More determined. Smarter.

So, I don't really buy that motherhood is an excuse for declining ability. (Has anyone read the "The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes us Smarter"? Not flawless but worth the read.)

Here's the thing - I think Britney's an addict and may well be too insulated to ever be rigorously honest with herself. And that is just deeply sad because she will just bounce along the bottom for a while. Expect more faulty comebacks.

And, to Ian's point, if she had just worn a more flattering outfit and lower heels, she might have pulled it off....

Curtis and Tessa: Ordinarily, I would tend to agree with you. I think it's fine for the media to scrutinize celebrities' appearances, particularly those for whom being sexy is at least part of their appeal, not to mention their job descriptions.

Like you, Tessa, I am significantly better at my work since becoming a mother, and I know firsthand that we are not alone. I see no reason to excuse poor performance simply because one has bred.

The thing is, though, I don't think Britney looked bad at all. I don't think she looked fat even by the standards of the entertainment industry. I think she looked better than a young, pre-hardbodied Madonna, and I don't think she needed to choose a different outfit. I suspect that the majority of those critiquing her appearance would ogle her doppelganger on the beach. Differing senses of style aside, I thought Britney's body looked good--and not just "good for having had two children." Did she look a tad less firm than she did at 19? Yes, but if most of her press of late had been positive, I doubt anyone would have noticed. I think at this point most people are looking to criticize Britney in any way possible. There's plenty to criticize; in my opinion, we should stick to the merits.

Once the Bush Administration is gone, MTV will retake the throne as the biggest evil empire in the world.

The rampant objectification, glorification, and exploitation are one of the biggest problems with youth and adult society today.

Parents, protect your children and yourselves.

i hate getting in the middle of this, really i do. but i can't believe that no one else is outraged by ian's offhand remark regarding the anniversary of 9-11.

my understanding is many who follow this blog -- and ian --were there that day, as i was. but i am guessing, due to the lack of reaction, that those who read this didn't attend as many funerals as i did (not that i am pleased with this distinction.)

coming from that perspective, let me say this. it isn't about President Bush. not today, please. this isn't about a perceived "scarefest." this anniversary is about the children growing up without their mothers or fathers and the mothers and fathers who lost their children... and on and on.

do you know any of these people? if you do, you know that unlike most everyone else in the world who has lost very close loved ones, 9-11 "victims" live with their loss in a much more active way. Leading up to today -- and particularly today -- they couldn't escape the memory if they wanted to. and it happens every single year. talk about opening a wound...

the media's obsession with reliving this has to stop--if only to give these families some peace. but i am probably too close to the process to be fully objective.

that said, i can't let such an angry and thoughtless remark go unanswered. and please don't say the politics made you say it.

today isn't about politics.

today is about loss. if you can't feel empathy today, you are less than you think you are.

Ooh this topic was made for me. Unfortunately I am typing on a blackberry in a cab having just flown cross country to DC. Great day to travel, the airports were pretty empty, and mostly foreigners, seems like.

Anyway, as a former mom-rocker, here's the problem with the Britney as MILF type of generic bashing - she didn't invent this shit. She's not the first pop or rock star to get knocked up. I would have much prefered her to stay bald and snatch-flashing, maybe that's the real page she needs to turn to do something remotely interesting and possibly relevant.

And I have no pity for any mega label, they are the machines that force people into doing the same thing over and over again because they are perpetually driving in the rear view mirror of their 8 billion pound hummer.

There is a hella big difference between straight up artist and musician moms - and there are tons and tons out there- and one-trick my little ponies like Britney whose expiration date is way past already. I mean isn't there this whole new crop of post-Disney pop star wannabes lined up? Perfect teeth? Dimples? Presto- Britney 2.0

I say burn Sony BMG, burn!!! Too bad they forgot that horse shit is highly flammable.

LFMD cracks me up w/that disturbed link. Maybe I'm too jaded and skeptical, but there's some chance that the narrator in that vid-hey-ho could be posturing just for some bizarre viewership of her own. Am I way off?

It was riveting and hilarious, but the dialogue, er monologue weakened as it went. Seemed sadly faux, but I"m sure it's well-cirulated.

Enuff Britney Spears, let's talk about Spearhead (M.Franti). Like they put it, "Everyone (even human, oozing pop-tarts) Deserves Music!"

Right on, mcf. To write off the entire day's varied commemorations as a "scarefest" is to pay attention only to what you want to see.

I agree with mcf, too. Mcf articulates my feelings about 9-11 better than I could.

9-11 sucked and sucketh still and most folks, 'specially those directly in the to and fro of it hate to see it at at all in a campaign slogan, feature-length film, franchised, trivialized, marginalized, mis-handled, etc..

Our feisty, young Scot-John's 'scarefest' isn't too strong a statement, caustic as it may seem, cause sum mean folks mean to USE this day not just in infamy for all time, but for the f'in dark side, not the good force is all. I think we all feel empathy here, save the boogeyman maybe.

Here's a tangent, and not to bring to mind in any way whatsoever any 'merchandising' of 9/11, but who knows the Boss' "Into the Fire". In fact, "The Rising" is a brilliant arts-repose-response to said sad events in time. That's a smart list of references to be made.