I Just Saw Britney Spears

Spears, who E! Online reports has been nominated for two 2008 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) for her song Piece Of Me, appeared today on promos for the September 7^th airing of the MTV VMAs.

I've never been a Britney Spears fan. Have never bought an album, never even downloaded a tune, can't sing any of her songs and could really care less about what she's wearing, whom she's marrying or whom she's divorcing. I probably won't even watch the 2008 MTV VMAs, that's how totally out of the loop I can be on these things. However, I've noticed Britney Spears taking a beating in the press for a while now. As a mom and, heck, as a human being, it's difficult to not feel a sense of compassion toward her.

Britney Spears is like so many other celebrities who have their every move monitored by paparazzi, tabloid magazines and tons of websites devoted to magnifying their many imperfections. Though I know that this is what some celebrities sign up for and that this is what keeps their careers going, I don't think any of them count on receiving such attention during particularly trying or difficult personal times. Yet, that's exactly what they get and Britney Spears is no different.

I can't imagine the agony of having my every move photographed; My worst moments scrutinized by the entire world. I cannot fathom my personal life being the topic of every tabloid show for weeks on end. It's beyond me how anyone endures a painful personal life in front of cameras and manages to survive at all. Britney Spears has been subjected to this and more while going through a divorce, a lengthy custody battle and a few private hospital stays for possible emotional issues. And, lest any of us forget, there was also that agonizing performance on the 2007 MTV VMAs.

I guess, in a way, we're all guilty though. Even though I've never been much into Britney Spears, I wouldn't know half of what's going on with her if I weren't a little sucked into the media vacuum along with everyone else. What is this fascination that we have with celebrities and their personal lives? Especially when we'd rather not have such a fascination? Even when we're disgusted with their behavior or their treatment and worn out with talk of their shenanigans, we somehow find ourselves watching anyway. Sometimes, because of these things, we even watch more. I'd like to inject a healthy dose of self-righteousness here, but I can't, because I'm just as guilty as the next onlooker. Sorry, Britney, but even though I've been keeping tabs in hopes of hearing good news about you for a change, the sad fact of the matter remains that I've still been all up in your personal business lately. I've even taken to writing about you, which makes me extra guilty as charged. Insert my deep, disappointing sigh here.

But today, as I watched a couple of MTV promos for the 2008 VMAs, I felt a sense of delight and a strange feeling of triumph as I saw Britney Spears coming back for more. For months, I've pictured her heavily medicated in a rubber room somewhere, missing her children, lamenting her plight and wanting nothing more than to be left alone. What I saw today though was a woman all made up (yes, she even had hair today), dressed to the nines, appearing rested and sounding like she was, well, normal. I know, I know, her appearance on behalf of the 2008 MTV VMAs was totally scripted, but still, it's not at all what I'd expected from her and I'm quite pleased about that.

And it gets even better. According to Cinema Blend, Spears is considering a comeback on the 2008 MTV VMAs as well. On second thought, after her 2007 MTV VMA disaster, maybe that's not better news after all. Brit, no offense and it's good to see you looking great, but are you sure you want to push it that far and go live on the VMAs again just yet?

Glen Boyd, Britney Spears Eyes Comeback At The VMAs. Cinema Blend

Mark Malkin, Britney Spears Nabs MTV Nom For "Piece Of Me". E! Online.

Mark Malkin, Britney Spears Makes A Return To MTV's Big Night. E! Online.