When is enough, enough? Or better yet, is there ever a point when enough is too much? The only reason that our media receptors have become over saturated by the likes of Britney Spears is because of the continued demand of interest in her every misfortune.
The exposure of her failings have far exceeded any positive exposure that she has gained as a performer, and is being constantly fed by a media that is willing to pay up to $40,000 for previously unpublished photos of the pop queen. Photos have included everything from Britney exiting a vehicle without panties, to the young inexperienced mom having a "bad mom day" with her children. There are reports that magazine sales increase by up to 62 percent with her likeness on the cover, and at every turn consumers are salivating for more.
At 26 years old, Britney has been in the public spotlight for more than 13 years. Though she first performed nationally on Star Search at the age of eight, it wasn't until she was a regular on Disney's "The Mickey Mouse Club" three years later that America began it's love affair with her. Then, she was viewed as the sweet innocent "girl next door" who every pubescent female wanted to emulate, and every teenage boy wanted to take to the prom.
When was the last time anyone mentioned her latest musical output, "Blackout", which was released just 13 weeks ago. Although the CD peaked at number two on the Billboard charts (largely because of the commotion caused by her controversial appearance at the MTV Video Music awards), it has since fallen to number 48, and continues to decline in sales. Her single "Piece Of Me", is currently number 20, and is also falling.
It seems that our love affair with Britney as an artist is increasingly being overshadowed by our sadistic desire to relish in every detail of her demise. Have we forgotten that this is a human being, who, although being wealthy and privileged, may suffer from the same emotional frailties that we less fortunate may experience? That every peek into her private life creates exposures that we so closely guard in our own? Has it become so important for us to know every private detail about a public figure?
I've never seen a photo of our esteemed president exiting a mens room, though I imagine that at some point during each day he does. There is little doubt that if we as consumers create less demand for Britney sightings, then media outlets will impose less into her life. Maybe, at that point, she can begin to comfortably seek out the professional help she needs in each area of her life and begin the healing process.
Learn more about this author, Terry Marsh
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