Okay, I know I’ve been a little tough on Britney Spears in recent months, but I’m totally stumped by her performance of "Womanizer" over the weekend on Britain’s X-Factor. I mean, I’ve always felt that if you’re going to blatantly lip-synch, you should at least be dancing yourself into a panting, exhausted heap. But all I see in Britney’s routine is a lot of walking, a smattering of mild knee bends, a couple of rump wiggles, and some lethargic boxing moves. Yeah, she does a nice hair flip as she moves closer to the audience on the breakdown, but come on now…give me 48 hours with Wade Robson, and I could do the damn thing just as well. What say you, PopWatchers? Am I missing the point and failing to see a brilliant plug for her new Circus disc, or is this clip proof that people will cheer for just about anything?
More on Britney:
Chris Willman reviews Britney’s ‘Circus’
First look: MTV’s ‘Britney: For the Record’ (from Margeaux’s Mix!)
Madonna + Britney + Justin = Sadness
Britney’s ‘Womanizer’ sets a download record
Britney vs. Beyonce: Who has the better video?
Britney: First seeds of a comeback?
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um, why don’t we talk about the documentary last night instead?? come on, slezak!
Everyone wants her to make a comeback that they’re cheering harder and louder than she deserves. Has she made vast improvements from where she was a year ago? Absolutely. Is she where a mega-star should be (in respect to performance quality and performance quality only)? Nope. But we’re all so fascinated with her. I keep wanting something deeper or more revelational from her…need to stop expecting that from her. Not sure even why I do expect it.
And yes, let’s talk about the documentary!!
I think she was excellent on XFactor. It takes alot to go back to the stage after a disastarous VMA’s. And to perform; it take even more confidence. Slowly, I think she is getting back her confidence of the stage. During “On the Record”, she seemed pretty focused in rehearsals. I just think she’s slightly afraid of the stage but it’s coming back.
So what if she was lip synching. That is what she usually does. And if you’re doing a dance routine; it’s hard to dance and sing.
X Factor was the best performance of her mini European tour. She was alot more into the performance and added to it. The fire seemed back.
Yeah, I agree – her performances are lackluster at best. I always accepted that she didn’t sing live – I didn’t care as long as the show was fun, the dancing was great. But if you aren’t going to put 110% into the dancing when you aren’t singing, what’s the point? But even in her video, notice she doesn’t do much dancing either – its everyone around her. She’s got the sane look about her again, she seems to have her body back, but she still isn’t putting in the work required to put her dancing back to where it used to be. She’s just posing now.
I agree. She is just walking around! She must have an amazing marketing machine behing her to call this a comeback. She needs to put a bit more effort in!
her performance on Star Academy was much better. And come on, please give her a break. The girl’s come light years in the last few months. She’s a completely different person from who she was a year ago and her album’s hot.
Now if you could just shut up about Beyonce for one minute…
This was better than her performances in Germany and France. Although she did have the flaming hoop and the rolling globe in the others, the X Factor routine had more energy. The dancing is still not up to par with her routines during her heyday but definitely better than the VMAs. And please Slezak, cut her some slack. Tons of journalists say “Oh if they give me the chance I could do better”. I’d like to see one who actually could do better!
I think she was Awww-sommm -ee!
http://hidensneek.com/2008/11/30/britney-breaks-ratings-record/
Slezak, unless you have formal dance training, you could not pick up an entire routine in 48 hours. Even if Robson coached you intensely. So stop the nonsense homeboy. It sure wasn’t my favorite performance from her, but I think that the blame is mainly on the choreographer Andre. She needs someone who will give her more pop. We all know it’s not because she can’t dance. She can. She just needs better coaching. But the performance was the 1st in a series that she has done since the infamous VMA debacle of 2007. Since then we have seen her private parts, seen her shave her head, and seen her act crazy ridiculous. Did it ever occur to you that Spears is probably nervous with regards to how she will be received by the audience? Give her a chance and I’m sure she will only improve. Also the choreography in the circus video looks improved.
I think the poor thing is being forced into a comeback before she’s ready, and her performances are reflecting that…what’s with the ‘documentary’ of her whining about going to bed before 9:30pm? what’s with all the magazine covers, Europe tv shows, and the ’surprise’ guest at the Rockefeller tree lighting this Wed? She needs to stay home and get better…really better…less than a year after her massive meltdown and she’s being pushed out on the circuit again…leave her be…let her be a mom, let her have a life…is she really that low on cash?
I am willing to cut her some slack, she has been trying to redeem her image and reputation but, if she is not singing (she is lip synching) and she is not dancing (just moving around) what exactly is she doing? Is it really entertainment?
If you are going to perform, perform. If not, get off stage and practice till you are ready.
I blame the choreographer too, lackluster and unimaginative moves — and i’m a dancer. But she still looks like she’s asleep most of the time. Like she’s not having any fun.
I watched Brit’s performance and I must admit that it was mediocre in terms of her singing (none) and dancing (weak). This album has been months in the making, what has she been doing the past few months, obviously not in the dance studio. If you want the title of “Princess of Pop”, you need to bring your A-game and she did not.
Awesome – that’s American for average, right?
When it comes to Britney, people will cheer for anything. If she’s coherent, she gets a standing O. I have nothing against Britney, The Person who is trying to put her life back together and raise her kids. I have A LOT against, Britney, The Entertainer who was never that talented to begin with.
Man, you should have seen Mariah Carey a couple of weeks ago. Robotic, lethargic, she was like a robot running low on batteries.
By the way, GIRLS ALOUD RULE. Ah.
eaaasy sleezak,
i give her total props. she wasn’t drunk (or on “happy pills), she remembered all her moves and words, AND she looked like she was actually having fun….and at least she wasn’t wailing abut being a boy (ugh)…
It looked sad. I can’t criticize her dancing because I can’t do it, but I can tell that it lacked passion. After I watched that documentary on her last night, I didn’t come away with feeling like she has her stuff together. She’s coherent because people are behind her spoon-feeding it to her. Unfortunately, I don’t think she gotten the real psychological help that she NEEDS. After her dad and all the people are gone, what with she do next? For her mental health, I want her to go away for a few years or the public to stop gawking at the train wreck so she can get help.
I think it was amazing. She looked fantastic and did a great job.
Lets see how well *you* do on a stage, dear.
bottom line: if your a singer who does not sing then you’re a fraud. And I can’t believe I live in a generation where people are fans of bad singers who don’t sing during live shows. Go buy every prince album and discover a true artist. Peace
ummm have you all seen the youtube vid of what she really sounds like in concert…while she’s lip synching to her songs? no…well you should totally check out the link below
you hear what Brit really sounds like in concert while she’s lip synching…someone recorded it and I bet they’re all shaking their head or the producers are saying to themselves…how did she ever make it this far???
Well it was ok for what it was. What it was, to me, was that same little girl who’s been told she’s special since day one (when not being denigrated by others close to her, since day one) trotting about in Madonna’s wardrobe, doing basically a Gypsy Rose strip show without the reveal. When she walks up the catwalk and poses, hip jutting, gives me the creeps. I still feel I’m watching a kid acting out someone’s soft porn fantasy. The choreogrpahy was just harsh, nothing fluid there. Then I remember this woman had a nervous breakdown and hope for the best. Show biz is a cruel vicious monster, with its psychic fangs and dollar bills. Want to save yourself, Britney? Back out gracefully. Tell all the hangers-on you’re not their meal ticket anymore. Get real. Find something other than applause to give your life meaning. Buy a farm, meditate. Find yourself. Best of luck. Show biz sucks.
i think that the performances were ok. A little flat, and a little stiff.. not a whole lot of passion. (and no, i can’t do it.. but i KNOW she can). In my opinion, I think it’s a lack of confidence.. I’m sure her confidence is wrecked after the disaster that was the VMAs (not to mention the disaster that was her personal life). I think after a few more performances, she’ll find her dancing feet again and be ok.
I’m British and a fan of the X-Factor and the fact that the contestants, that have been performing for 12 weeks are giving better performances than Britney Spears is not goo.
She’s had a 10 year career and has sold millions of records, she should be knocking them out of the park. Her mini interview with presenter Dermot was also lack-lustre. Mariah carey was there a couple of weeks back – at least she spoke to the contestants and gave advice. Apparently Britney banned anybody from talking to her. Nice woman eh?
I think the EW writers have been pretty negative about most things lately…not just Britney Spears. It’s annoying.
Simon Cowell was on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show today where he raved about Britney’s appearance and what went on backstage…and yes, they talked. So, no, she didn’t ban anyone from talking to her.
I know her diehard fans want to keep giving her a pass on everything but come on. Slezak is right. If she cant get one routine for one song down how is she supposed to sustain a full tour for this album. She isnt singing, which is fine we all know her vocal limitations, but if you arent gonna sing you gotta be bringing it with the dancing. And she just is not at all. Its OK sure, but coming from her VMA disaster anything is ok
I really think she’s just nervous. On her documentary last night, they showed her in rehearsals and they were awesome. I think she’s just timid at first, the more she does it, the better it’ll get.
Also, I sort of ignore Slezak’s comments about Britney and Beyonce. They’re both way to colored by his personal opinions, that Britney sucks, and Beyonce is God.
I agree. If you’re going to lip sync, at least dance until you’re out of breath. I was also annoyed that she couldn’t even say “It’s Britney, b i t c h” at Madonna’s show. Really? You had to lip sync three words? Hold her accountable, Slezak. Nobody else is doing it.