Britney Spears - Are we ready for her comeback?

So Britney is apparently on her way to a comeback, for the thirty thousandth time. With her cover story on next week’s Rolling Stone, professing that “Yes She Can!” I am wondering what exactly are we waiting for her to do? The pop star, who first made her way onto the scene with suggestive song, “Oops I did it Again” and an even more suggestive Rolling Stone cover, ten years ago, has lived just a few lives at this point. She has been the poster child for Disney and puritanical BS only Southern celebs or those with Disney contracts sell to the public. She was Ms. Sexy, who found her strength in tighter and tighter outfits and making out with Madonna. We saw her as Mrs. Mom, when she made the abrupt decision to marry a no good back up dancer with a pregnant girlfriend and have two children with him. We saw her be the new woman after that marriage failed and emerge as if from some adult cocoon, attempting to convince the public she was a great mother and even more, a great woman. And then we saw her as Ms. Meltdown, just a year ago, where she was doing drugs, attacking paparazzi, shaving her head, dating photographers, having wild nights, being picked up by ambulances and losing ALL control over her daily life. The culmination of this mess was her “performance” at last year’s MTV Music Awards, which was the night I resigned to no longer discuss her or the once music network (I have failed on both accounts.) The one time dream girl of teenage boys all over America had become a car wreck and another in a long line of sad stories of child stars and successful female singers. Most people, me included, began the countdown clock on the expiration of Britney’s longevity in the business.

At this point, just one year later, it seems that Ms. Spears has gotten her act together and never too late to do so, for both her professional and personal lives. She will debut a new CD next week, and an MTV documentary, along with the Rolling Stone article, in which she will allow reporters to dig through the muck that has been her past few years and attempt to sell us as to why she really is “back for good”. While I mean no harm to Ms. Spears, but what exactly is she making a comeback with? Her albums, overly produced and written by virtual strangers to the singer, sound nothing like a person who has just spent 10 years soul searching and from previous interviews, I can’t imagine the depth of these. What I would love to see Britney do in her next incarnation is truly follow in Madonna’s foot steps, but even more so, gain a “self”. Madonna, while a magnet for controversy and contempt, she always made everything she did seem like it was honestly from her. Not a made up PR scheme or jumping on the newest trend, but something Madonna wanted to do, so she did it. Britney has yet to find that depth within herself or even her “career persona” to own what she has done or will do in the future. And for any “artist” seeking longevity, if you don’t have “self”, you have NOTHING. For now, I will keep an open mind as to the next part of her journey and technically her audiences. I know there are many people out there rooting for her, hoping there is not another crisis on the horizon for our pop star. I can honestly say that I do hope that the drama that has followed this girl around for years is far gone and now, she can hopefully create a career based on her talents and interests, as opposed to pleasing her handlers and the masses.

I know I promised I wouldn't post about Britney, but....

Ok, but I sort of have to. Well I don't have to, but I wanna. So in preparation for the release of Circus, her album dropping December 2nd, MTV did a little documentary on the pop star. The footage is a mixture of poignant interviews, footage of behind the scenes work on the new album and the beginning of the press juggernaut she is about to get back to.

And from the clips I have seen so far, it seems that Ms. Spears might just have gotten her shit together. In part of the film, she explains how her marriage to Kevin Federline was doomed from the start and that she "married for all the wronge reasons". She also states that there are times where her life "feels like a prison" and that she considers "her childhood normal compared" to other child stars. So yes, while I am recuperating from the pig our fest that will be Thanksgiving, my ass will watching the Britney redemption documentary.

Here's a clip of the 90 minute special....

Britney Spears - MTV Shows

DAILY ROUNDS.....

Let’s get to the news….

+ First, hope is near.Word is the WGA strike could be over as early as Friday. This would mean people can get back to work and I will be able to mock poorly dressed celebs on the red carpet once again!

+ Is the news covering the death of talented actors and crazy Scientologists to the point where you are getting only 6 pics in the tabs this week Britney? Well I know the cure, let’s watch another meltdown! Spears’ family has arrived in Los Angeles to allegedly get the pop flop some serious medical help. Her new boyfriend, Adnan, is shockingly turning out to be just one more of the many thousands of triggers she has which continually lead to madness. On a side note, people apparently have adverse reactions to being used, abused and defiled by loved ones. Seriously, get this chick some help already.

+ Apparently one of the many reality tv programming outlets have just come under major backlash due to “not too black” memo that was fueling the casting directors decisions on some shows. You pick which cable channel did it, since it’s a blind item. I am thinking no to look towards MTV and Vh1, since seem to have no problem with that. Possibly Bravo?

+ This chick knows how to work publicity. After the DGA fiasco, Sean Young has entered rehab. according to The Insider. I swear, the reality TV is almost one hundred percent confirmed at this point.

+Gwen Stefani is pregnant with her second child, reports People.com.

+ Good news to all you thrifty ladies out there, Cynthia Rowley is coming to Target after the departure of Isaac Mizrahi.

+ STARZ has confirmed it will be producing a TV drama of the Oscar winning and hate inducing “Crash”. If this was an announcement from Cinemax, my guess it would have been an adaptation of this is coming to a TV set near you. Interestingly enough it isn’t this one, "Crash".

+ Imposter uses Ledger's dad's name to dupe Tom Cruise and John Travolta. The scammer, who is obviously missing his soul, was able to talk to Cruise on the phone and attempted to have Travolta purchase him a plane ticket. Unfortunately, he also scammed the funeral home, where Heath had his private memorial and viewing last week to put him up in in a swanky 4 star NYC hotel, under the guise of being Ledger’s mourning father. While I can’t understand how someone can be so foul to do such a thing, I am wondering why the leaders of celeb Scientology keep finding their names entangled in this story.

+ In touring news, REM announced Spring/Summer 2008 tour. Their opening acts will be Modest Mouse and The National. They will be playing on Long Island and I will be going! Also, BAM is presenting a big to do about Paul Simon. Grizzyly Bear, David Byrne and Simon himself, along with many others, will be performing and celebrating Simon’s tenure in the music industry.

+ Michael Showalter talks to AV Club about “The State” DVDs, Stella, stand up comedy and Obama. Seriously if someone doesn’t release this shit soon, I'm gonna explode.

+ And finally, here is a sneak peek at the new Will Farrell and John C. Reilly movie, ”In Step Brothers”. Obviously, this shit will be funny and it’s coming to theaters this summer.

Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow, we will be bringing you the third installment in “CSI and the Wrath of Cruise”. ENJOY!

Daily Rounds

While the Scientology/Cruise debacle continues to take over my mind, let’s get to some fun little gossip tidbits, you might have missed….

+Chloe Sevigny doesn't want to show her private parts anymore. Apparently, blowing your boyfriend on the big screen was just enough exhibitionist behavior for the actress.

+TMZ.com is reporting that four paparazzi were arrested last night after recklessly driving and chasing Britney Spears throughout Mission Hills. Do you really need to chase her at this point? Won’t she be stopping at a gas station for dinner soon?

+Tracey Ullman is coming back to TV. The comedian is set to bring another sketch comedy show to Showtime. This network is killing it the past two years!!!

+Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds announce have split up after their "marriage ceremony" two weeks ago in Bora Bora. Murphy maintains that the “ceremony” was just an expression of their “friendship”. In other words, Edmonds didn’t want to get involved with a tranny chaser.

+Coachella 2008 line up is announced....well sort of. While the majority of the bands that are heading out to California this April have been announced, the festival is still holding out on us who the MAIN headliner is. Various rumors have been swirling, but we do know that it will NOT be David Bowie or My Bloody Valentine. I am praying it’s Blur, since the festival and its rumors seem quite British-centric this year, but who knows.

Daily Rounds

It's muggy and gross here in NY and I am ready for my long weekend in Vermont. And I am predicting now that Superbad will be number one in the box office this weekend. Its the end of summer so college and high school are having their last bit of fun together and this weekend seems pretty timid with the new releases. It really is turning into the summer of Seth.

And now lets get to the morning news:

Earthquake in Peru kills 337 people. Almost 900 people have reported injuries from the 7.9 magnitude quake that hit right outside of Lima yesterday. The Red Cross expects the numbers on both sides to increase within the next few days.

Phil Rizzuto, beloved Yankee, passed away. The legendary player and announcer died on Monday at age 89. The one time Yankee who played with the record breaking team that won seven World Series in the 40s & 50s was probably more famous for his love of the game then his prowess on the field. Rizzuto will be greatly missed and the world of baseball has lost one of its greatest supporters!

Maybe she thought he "could work some magic" on her career? Britney, on the heels of a huge custody battle, decided to not stay home with the kids, but go and hang out with “
Mindfreak” Criss Angel until 4am last night in Beverly Hills.


Image courtesy of INF Daily

NY Film Festival announces full lineup. Wes Anderson's long awaited latest "The Darjeeling Limited," opens the festival on September 28. Other directors whose films are in the 17 day festival are Brian DePalma, Julian Schnabel and Todd Haynes. Here is the trailer for Anderson's film, featuring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman as American brothers who go to India to "find themselves".

Amy Winehouse leaves rehab. She was just having fun on that 3 day bender – she does not have a problem.

Cheating Husband sues 1-800 Flowers for sending the flowers meant for his mistress to his wife. The man, whose lawsuit against the florist is in the millions of dollars, went on the TODAY show to discuss his situation and Meredith Viera told him over and over again he got what he deserved and had no right to sue. I totally agree – How scummy can you be dude? You are the moron who cheated on his wife and got caught red handed - live with the consequences.

"Weeds" makes it best debut yet. Showtime saw almost one million viewers tune into the 3rd season premiere of Weeds. I am so glad Mary Louise Parker is finally getting the credit she so deserves. The compelling and scene stealing natural has been a favorite of mine for years, since I saw her in Fried Green Tomatoes. There is also a great profile on the actress in New York magazine this week. I can not wait to see where this season goes!!!!!!

VH1 heads further into celeb/pop culture hell. "Star Stories.", a new version of the British celeb spoof television program is in the beginning stages at Vh1. What sounds like an “adult” version of “Punk’d”, Vh1 is looking to get closer and closer to E!’s programming and celeb obsessed culture.

Top Chef's get a chance to recover. In the “Restaurant Wars” episode last night, the judging panel, which Daniel Boulud, allowed the chefs to come back the next day to run their restaurants another night because of the paltry service both gave their diners. Madonna\'s brother makes his opinions known as a patron of "The Garage", where the smell of scented candles (yep you read that right!) ruined any chance of enjoying the half assed menu. I am excited the chefs get another chance since the major issues last night were service and décor – not exactly reasons to send a chef home. Madonna\'s brother makes his opinions known as a patron of one of the two chefs. Also, the judges will be making sure that at the next panel the chefs had listened to their critiques and made the necessary corrections.

Kathie Lee returns to Regis. The ex-costar of Live with Regis and Kathie Lee Kelly, will return to the program for the first time since she left seven years ago. The visit will mark the program’s 20th Anniversary on September 14th.

Surprise - Heidi Montag's new album stinks! The bitch from The Hills is about to put an album out on David Foster's record label. This guy just happens to be the stepdad to Brody Jenner, Montag's "fiancee" Spencer Pratt's best friend.

Chinese couple are fighting to name their child @. Man I hate humans!

Daily Rounds...

Let's start off by saying "Flipping Out" on Bravo is amazing!!!! The crazies definitely find their place in LA and I'm all for it. If you have not checked out this "flipper's" show and his staff of out of work actors...you need to. It's on Bravo at 10pm on Tuesdays and then reruned to death....

And now the news:

John Mayer and Mandy Moore spotted together out and about in SOHO yesterday. Now this couple makes sense to me, if its true. I just hope they don’t start writing songs together…yecch! I believe they share producers though and since that coupling showed as much emotion as me hanging with my grandma..I’m thinking they are just friends.


Image courtesy of INF Daily

Denise Brown boycotts the publishing of "If I did it", The O.J. Simpson confession novel about the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Why won’t this man disappear already?

Portia De Rossi joins heads to Nip/Tuck this fall and gets “close” to Joely Richardson (Julia). God I love this show and the fact that each season it seems the characters have had a lobotomy from their former selves. I heart FX dramas.

Myspace and XM team up to find the next big hip hop act.


Image courtesy of STAR magazine

Mommie Dearest Britney What will the weekly gossip rags do once this chick gets her life in check? Oh wait…I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Seriously, she needs new friends just as much as Lohan does. Has she ever heard of confidentiality agreements?

Celebrities have fun with airbrushing.

Paris Hilton lost her puppy and from the description on the poster I think she has been found.

Not only is Michael Vick mean to doggies he might just be a terrorist too?

I am beginning to think Mr. Federline is much smarter then we all thought. I give two years until him and Shar Jackson are back together.

HBO does not pick up “John from Cincinnati” for a second season. Did it matter since we would all just be as confused the second time around?

Evan Rachel Wood dishes with GQ about her career, relationship with Marilyn Manson and what the future holds for this actress. This chick, while young, is ready to be the next big thing. She has the chops and she is amazing to watch on screen. I’m just not sure how you go from Ed Norton to Manson, but that’s not my concern.


Image courtesy of GQ

So the question of the week is, what reality show is your (my readers) guilty pleasure????

ENJOY the Spielster and don’t forget to watch Top Chef tonight on Bravo to see who packs up their knives tonight!!!!