I’ve been avoiding taking what I perceive as a cheap shot but I can’t help myself any longer. When are the men in the clean white coats going to come take Britney Spears to the mental institution? In all seriousness, it’s just a matter of time before she completely cracks. She’s already fractured but it’s only a matter of time before she slides completely off the deep end.

It’s no mistake that I didn’t watch the MTV Video Music Awards. I was practicing with my band during this waste of airtime and even if I had been available, I can think of about 10 other activities that rank higher than the video awards (gouging my eyes out with a soup spoon is number 8 on that list.) But it’s impossible to be this far along in the week without seeing Britney’s embarrassing performance being aired on every major news program. The sheer fact that this performance is “news” is frightening, but I digress.

In all honesty, I’ve never been a Britney Spears fan. I can’t explain why, but just accept that yes, some of us in this crazy world are not impressed by the tummy-baring poptart. But I will say that when I heard she was scheduled to open the MTV Video Music Awards this year with her new single “Gimmie More” I was optimistic that this performance would be the kick her career needed to bring her back to the top of the charts. Let’s face it, Britney’s had a tough run lately with everything from her divorce to her head-shaving incident garnering the spotlight of sensationalized news broadcasts. If she could have pulled off a solid performance on MTV it might have been enough to rocket the pop princess back to where she once was. I don’t think I’m alone in my optimistic thoughts for her. Most people wanted to see this star shine again.

What we got, however, was a lackluster performance with a disinterested and out-of-shape Spears who appeared to always be one step behind her backup dancers. I can’t help but feel embarrassed for Britney. This was a sad performance by someone who was a talented singer. From her movements to her appearance there was nothing about this VMA opener that can be easily be fixed by even the best public relations expert.

Trotting out in little more than a black and silver bikini, audience members immediately noticed that the outfit was not the best choice for Spears. While looking “average” for American women, Spears barely resembled the singer that millions had come to know and love. Granted she is now a mother of two small children, but nevertheless, it seemed that she was unaware of her own appearance. I know I don’t look good in belly-baring ensembles which is why I don’t wear them. I immediately have to wonder what she was thinking. Even her blonde wig looked obviously like a wig.

But aside from her obvious less-than-starlike appearance, Britney then had to sing and dance to a song that I’d assume she had practiced at least more than once. But from her performance one would think that she’d just learned the song lyrics yesterday and had only done the choreography 10 minutes before showtime. She stumbled and jerked about without any sense of rhythm, frequently out of step with her backup dancers who, incidentally, looked more interested in the performance that Spears. She seemed to cling to her backup dancers for dear life, appearing to almost accidentally bump into them when it was obvious that the choreographer had called for much more crisp and deliberate movements.

And when it came to lipsynching to her own song, Britney showed no sign of emotion or joy. It seemed that she was in the last place in the world she wanted to be. She mouthed the words sometimes off-beat and with a dry sense of “I’m here and I’m doing this. What more do you want?” Most performers whether they be singers, dancers or musicians will tell you that performing is fun. If it weren’t fun, they wouldn’t do it. From personal experience I can tell you that when I play my guitar on stage it’s one of the most fun things you can do while standing up. I could be in the worst mood ever but when the show starts it’s hard to suppress a smile and to stay in one place. I’ve got to move. Performing is fun. But from Britney’s VMA performance you would think it the exact opposite.

To make matters worse for the former star, MTV panned to the audience to get reactions while Spears “sang” and “danced.” Celebrities who’d gathered for the event looked horrified, disappointed, and just sad for her. And while Sarah Silverman may have been a little harsh when she remarked, “Was that incredible? Britney Spears. Wow. She is amazing. She is 25-years-old and she’s already accomplished everything she’s going to accomplish in her life. It’s mind blowing,” her comments seem to assess the situation almost perfectly. It is going to be extraordinarily difficult to come back from this appearance.

After seeing replay after replay of the VMA performance, I’m left wondering if Britney has a manager or a mirror for that matter. Who saw this outfit on this woman and said, “Yes! Wear it! You look hot! You look sexy! Absolutely!” And who, after knowing everything that she’s gone through over the last year said, “Yes! You’re 100% ready for a liver performance on national television!” Was this all an elaborate sabotage act for Britney? Or is she garnering sales by using the “pity-me” ploy?

I can’t help but feel sad and embarrassed for this singer. How far she has fallen so quickly. And to demonstrate this on a live broadcast makes it worse.  How will she recover from this? I can’t even speculate.

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