I should have known that Britney Spears’ big Video Music Awards performance would have been uncomfortable to watch the moment it opened, with that closeup of the weave tracks in the back of her head (seriously, MTV camera folks, didja think that was a flattering angle?). But I wasn’t quite prepared for the awkward mess in store, as Britney gallumphed around like a zombie while lip-synching to her new single, "Gimme More."
I was really rooting for Britney to be awesome and get the show off on the right foot. And by all rights, she should have rocked — "Gimme More" has been received amazingly well (it’s no "Toxic," but admit it, it’s better than you expected) — and we have all those fond memories of Brit Brit from VMAs past (with the python, with Madonna and Xtina). But instead of watching a sexy, exciting performance — a resounding statement that yes, she IS Britney, bitch — I saw a tentative, confused-looking girl who could barely muster the energy to mouth along with the backing track, let alone work those stilleto boots. Britney, if you’re gonna lip-synch, at least be entertaining!
PopWatchers, am I being too harsh?
UPDATE: If you haven’t seen Britney’s performance, you can watch it after the jump, via this clip from AOL Music. (If you watch the clip on the AOL Music page, it’s preceded by an anti-drug PSA. Think AOL is trying to send a message?)
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I really just felt bad for her. I mean she either just didn’t care or I’m thinking she was really so incredibly nervous. And for the first time nerves got the better of her.
I think she needs more time before she comes back.
Not too harsh. That was awkward and embarrassing. I could barely watch all the way through.
I want to say “poor kid,” but she seems to be rejecting everyone who tries to help her, so….I just hope that she gets her act together!
i wanted to turn it off it was so uncomfortable to watch..was she drugged?
not to harsh at all, she almost ruined the show for me…
All I kept thinking about was her costume – and not in a good way. She’s looked as good as she has in years and granted most mothers of two don’t have that body. But it really didn’t hide anything and she just looked… swollen. There’s a reason Marilyn Monroe lives on in our mind as a great sex symbol. She went out at the height of her attractiveness. Now I barely remember what “hot” Britney looks like. Even if she wore a one-piece catsuit, it would have looked better. I looked at her and kept thinking, “She’s someone’s Mom.” and it really turned me off. It was shameless, really.
girl was so nervous. i feel bad for her and hope her night isn’t a tragic one.
That was a train wreck, but funny enough it didn’t surprise me…. ok maybe a little surprised. But with her new tracks she may pull off the comeback
I think you were too nice!!! Britney performance was not only the personification of her career, but of MTV itself.
The whole show was a disaster. Dull, boring, incoherent and just BLAH. I mean I would have at least saved the Britney Trainwreck for the END of the show to keep viewers around. I lasted about one hour and checked out.
I feel bad for her. Something is definitely wrong b/c in the past she killed it. She is becoming the next Anna Nicole quickly
She looked extremely nervous and self conscious….It was such a train wreck I actually felt bad for her
All I got to say Is Brintey is trying, and what a shame it is not her best performance. I blame MTV for this as the VMAS were way to glamourous and awful it was so out of place and just plain dumb.
Not harsh enough, I think. Seriously, was she ON something? She could barely stand up let alone dance around. I’m surely not a big Brit Brit fan but I actually felt sorry for the girl. She looked lost, embarrassed and entirely tired. Why try to come back if your not even going to make the effort? And I thought Chris Angel was there to add amazing disappearing acts to her performance. The only disappearing act I saw was her career. POOF! She should give up the quest for a return to her glory days. She is no longer the Britney of the past who could forgo actual singing and talent for sexiness and entertainment. Stick a fork in her…
I didn’t feel bad for her, but I was embarrassed for her. She clearly wasn’t prepared. This was a golden opportunity for her and she wasted it. I can’t believe that someone wouldn’t have pulled her aside to tell her (A) to do something about her hair (why can’t Paris lend Britney her extension stylist?) and (B) that she’s just not in bra-and-panties-in-public shape. I thought her makeup looked good; if she had just worn a longer top and showed some enthusiasm, I think people would be willing to cut her a ton of slack.
That was embarrassing. But I can’t say I felt badly for her. Everyone’s been trying to help the poor girl out. At some point, she’s got to take responsibility for her suckage. She couldn’t even get her walking steps in sync with the music, let alone her dance steps. It was as if she’d never danced before in her life, or sang these songs before. Drugs? Brain damage? Nerves? Apathy? Or all of the above?
Let’s face it Timbaland is an ego-maniac and just had to try and steal the spotlight. MTV was crafty in trying to force Rihanna down our throats and make us fall in love w/ Timberlake. BOO!
britney is a lipsyncer that performers fantastically but this was like she didnt want to be there
so dissapointing I was so excited
this is the worst vmas the only good performance was chris browns!!
Actually not harsh enough. It was pathetic to be polite. You are so correct about the opening shot but the network was kind enough to cut to wide shots to mask the lack of lip synching. That was a career killing performance. If she doesn’t care why should we. Pity, I like the song.
This is like an athlete who tried to come back too soon. Should have kept doing the club circuit.
this sooo wasnt what I was expecting.. I wanna say its just nerves but I think im more disgusted by the fact that she didnt even try!
yes, britney looked like a 14 year-old girl trying, rather AWKWARDLY, to imitate her idol on television…after watching britney’s 2000 performance on MTV HITS earlier today, this…wow…poor girl. I never liked her, but I really was pulling for her. To think that in 2000, Britney was on top and Justin was her sidekick…
I turned it 30 secs in when she staggered into her first ‘dance’ move. Stick a fork in her..she’s done.
My question is…why did anyone want this to work? Why do we want Britney back?!!! Don’t we have enough no talent hacks who are flooding the music scene with garbage music?!! I hope this is the nail in the coffin. I am sorry to you Britney fans(whoever you may be) but the only way she can come back would be to show up with an acoustic guitar and rock out with some seriously strong adult tunes…but she will never do that because SHE HAS NO TALENT! Peace Out Britney..It has been real
I don’t think you’re being too harsh.. She was just that bad… you could tell by the great reaction shots the MTV camera people got…. But in all seriousness I just pray that the poor girl doesn’t overdose or something crazy like that after she hears the reviews of her performance… She seems so fragile…
Britney is a mess! Where is she? What has happened to Britney? She looked drugged. Did you notice she wobbled twice?! Is she pregnant again?
I was surprised by her lack of energy. It was like she was as bored with her performance as I was. She wasn’t ready. But I hope she gets it together soon — both personally and professionally. I love a good comeback!
You are not too harsh at all.
Perfectly said!
She was a disgrace!
Worst performance ever!
seriously, that was awful. she looks like she was on a combo of vicodin, valium, and vodka. the nerves got the best of her, i fear. she needs to disappear for a good long time and not come out until she is completely well-rested. and she was entirely too thick for that outfit.
You are definitley not harsh, the best part was after when Sarah Silverman did the most awkwardly awesome roasting of Britney!
It looked like some bad vegas sideshow impersonator. Sad. Maybe if she did less clubbing and more rehearsing, she would have at least looked like she was making an effort. How do you expect your fans to root for you if you don’t even care yourself? Honestly, I don’t have a clue who her fans would be at this stage. All those little girls who put up with her lip-synching and inferior voice are all grown up now and not so fooled. I think she should make up with her mother and go home to Louisiana so she can be looked after. I seriously think there’s a few boxes missing from the attic…