Craig Ferguson Speaks Out About Spears

Craig Ferguson spoke out about his alcoholism during CBS's "The Late Late Show" in mid February 2007. He is refusing to make fun of Britney Spears recent bizarre behavior because he feels she is vulnerable and needs help. Britney's behavior in the spotlight lately has been like a bad train wreck. You don't want to watch but you just can't seem to turn your head away.

So why is this a big deal? Why is the fact that Craig Ferguson won't make fun of Britney Spears right now making news? Why is the YouTube video of Craig Ferguson's comments in his opening dialogue being circulated around the Internet with over 400,000 views already? I think it's because showing kindness and mercy towards another human being is something rarely seen in the late night talk show realm. People were expecting Britney Spears jokes when they received a wake up call instead that maybe we shouldn't be making fun of this girl and maybe we should be trying to help her. I applaud Mr. Ferguson for taking this stance because it's rare in our society to see someone speak out truthfully from the heart on national television. It's also uncommon to see a late night talk show host show mercy towards a celebrity embarrassing them self in the public spotlight. What happened to people being funny without making fun of celebrities anyways? As a late night talk show host, if you can't be funny without putting someone else down then maybe you need to find another career.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence defines alcoholism as a chronic disease that is often progressive and fatal. Ferguson did not refer to Britney Spears as an alcoholic. No one can diagnose another person as an alcoholic. This is something that she is going to have to decide for herself. I do agree with his assessment that Britney Spears needs help. Heck, we all need help. Life is not easy. So why is our society so quick to condemn? Why do we judge people? By judging, essentially we are playing God and making up our own reality and values. We want to be our own authority.

I wish the best for Britney Spears, I really do. I'm not a fan of her music but I'm concerned about her as a fellow human being. I hope she can surrender enough to get the help she needs.