The Daily Beast: MTV Just Embarrassed Britney Spears at the VMAs

[Maryy]

It was supposed to be Britney’s triumphant return to the VMAs stage. But in scheduling her performance right after Beyoncé, they only exposed her biggest artistic flaws and failings.

KEVIN FALLON

08.29.16 6:06 AM ET

Why does MTV hate Britney Spears? 

Nine years after the star’s disastrous performance of “Gimme More,” Spears was, as presenter Kim Kardashian said, “making her triumphant return to the VMAs stage.” At least it was supposed to be triumphant. It ended up actually being a little sad.

MTV made this big deal about Britney Spears performing Sunday night, and then they go and schedule Beyoncé’s incredible performance literally right before her. It’s like they were setting her up to fail.

 

Not that Spears failed.

No, her performance of “Make Me” from her new album Glory was…adequate. It might have been good, even. Contrasting it against that last “Gimme More” go-round—an unfocused, sluggish, poorly rehearsed performance by a troubled celebrity practically dead in the eyes—it actually should be considered a triumph.

Spears looked great, pulled off the choreography, and had real life in her eyes. The star quality that made Spears’ performances of “Oops!…I Did It Again” and “I’m a Slave 4 U” so iconic had returned. But nothing Spears could do would compare to the tour de force Beyoncé had pulled off minutes before her.

There was no chance. It’s a wonder Spears didn’t call an Uber from her dressing room and high-tail it out of there two minutes in to Bey’s performance. Ms. Knowles performed for so long that Spears could’ve been well on her way to LaGuardia by the time she soaked in her final applause.

Beyoncé dropped the mic. Spears had to sheepishly pick it up and lip-synch into it.

 

When Beyoncé kills a 16-minute recreation of much of Lemonade, nailing every note while dancing her *** off, how can you look at Britney Spears lip-synch her way through a song—often missing the words—and not be a little embarrassed for her?

It’s rather unfair because if we were being generous—and when it comes to Britney Spears, the survivor, she deserves our generosity as she mounts a comeback—the performance probably would have garnered great reviews had it been able to stand on its own and not suffer immediate Beyoncé comparisons.

As far as its staging, it was probably the most artistic Spears had crafted in a number in years, and certainly on the VMAs stage. But then, of course, Beyoncé had just recreated Lemonade, flooding the stage with powerful imagery of blackness, feminism, and empowerment. Artistry is being judged at a whole other level once Beyoncé walks into a room.

Dancing in front of white screens, a series of hand shadows suggestively moved behind her. It was a pretty effect in theory, though one has to wonder about the tone deafness on the part of the Spears camp to create the illusion that other people's hands are trying to manipulate or grab at her. Spears is, after all, living under a conservatorship in which she was deemed unfit to make any legal, financial, or, in tandem with those two things, career decisions for herself.

Still, her bright yellow leotard did wonders for her body, and there was some carefully rehearsed enthusiasm that seemed almost genuine when rapper G-Eazy came out to make his cameo. Spears only had a look of panic in her eyes maybe once when it came time to mime chemistry with him.

While I’d say that there was an overall level of stiffness to her performance, there was also more polish than we’ve seen from her since her MTV glory days. Kim Kardashian is right. That is something triumphant. It’s Britney, *****!

It’s interesting to compare that fateful night in 2007 when Spears somnambulantly marked her way through “Gimme More” to Sunday night’s VMAs homecoming, and that so-called triumph.

 

That year Rihanna performed on the VMAs stage for the first time, and was coronated pop’s next great superstar with her performance of “Umbrella.” Kanye West performed multiple times. Beyoncé had a handful of nominations for “Irreplaceable” and “Beautiful Liar,” not quite the musical powerhouse she has become.

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The reaction to Spears’s performance that night solidified that 2007 was probably the worst year of her life, and certainly of her career. There’s a reason that meme “If Britney can survive 2007 then we can make it through this day” is so popular.

And then look to Sunday night’s show. Rihanna performed twice, opening the night with a medley of greatest hits to celebrate her career achievement Moonman. West has become so valued by the MTV contingent that he was basically gifted a State of the Union slot to monologue his musings. Beyoncé delivered what should rightfully be considered one of the greatest awards show performances of all time. If nothing else, the sheer scale of it cements her as music’s most ambitious artist.

The nine years since that 2007 show has seen these three performers, each on the rise back then, reach respective peaks as far as their music, artistry, and regard in the industry is concerned.

Spears has had the opposite trajectory.

Perhaps she had peaked when she donned the snake. Or maybe when she locked lips with Madonna, a veritable passing of the Queen of Pop torch in typical provocateur fashion: the swapping of spit. But that night, marked by three other artists on their rise, was Spears’ professional low point.

We think of Britney Spears with such fond nostalgia because of those great moments, that star quality, that bubblegum pop perfection. But in these past nine years she has been usurped by the artists who, perhaps at one point, measured their MTV and VMAs successes against hers.

 

The rhetoric around Spears’ return to the VMAs stage insinuated that she is some elder statesman, maybe a retiree coming back to the field for a special event. But Beyoncé and Britney Spears are the same age. These are her contemporaries. When they’re executing on such a higher level, how much slack do we give Britney Spears?

I wrote about this a bit in my admittedly charitable review of Glory, which is certainly Spears’ best album in over a decade but, while a welcome return to musical form for Spears, is a far cry from the artistic masterpieces that Rihanna, Kanye West, and Beyoncé released this past year.

There was no grand ambition, or meaningful cultural statement being made. It was just music that sounded like something Britney Spears would make, and that is fun and fine. That she could make music that seemed sort of her, that was uncomplicated, and sound like she was actually having fun doing it, was wonderful. It meant that she was back.

That “Make Me” performance seemed very much like the old Britney, too. Right down to the distracting lip-synching.

It’s unfortunate that Beyoncé performed right before her, thus inviting comparisons. But the jarring contrast in the quality and difficulty of their performances raises a question about the kind of entertainment Spears offers and, however nostalgic we might say we are for it, whether there’s still a place in the evolving pop landscape for it.

Who are we kidding, though? Of course there is. It’s Britney, *****!

 

source --> http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/29/mtv-just-embarrassed-britney-spears-at-the-vmas.html

this is such a well-worth it read, guys! 

[Prince Ali]

I wrote about this a bit in my admittedly charitable review of Glory, which is certainly Spears’ best album in over a decade but, while a welcome return to musical form for Spears, is a far cry from the artistic masterpieces that Rihanna, Kanye West, and Beyoncé released this past year

What the actual ****? Lemonade a masterpiece? Anti? 

 

 

[Maryy]

Just now, chris_fives said:

I wrote about this a bit in my admittedly charitable review of Glory, which is certainly Spears’ best album in over a decade but, while a welcome return to musical form for Spears, is a far cry from the artistic masterpieces that Rihanna, Kanye West, and Beyoncé released this past year

What the actual ****? Lemonade a masterpiece? Anti? 

 

 

they are artistic pieces, we can't deny it. 

[Hypnotherapy]

I think we actually disrespect Britney with **** like this. 

It's pathetic to say that she was made look bad by anybody.

Her performance was good. And probably is as good as Britney will ever deliver going forward. She looked fantastic, performed weak choreography really well and pre-recorded a cover. 

Britney hasn't consistently improved as a performer like this since 2003. She isn't comparing herself to Beyoncé so why should we.

Yes I think they made a big misstep by not at least pretending to be singing live when the whole concept was stripped back and a rebirth, but it was a good performance.

MTV don't hate Britney, Beyoncé doesn't sit and calculate ways to upstage her etc etc appreciate an artist for what they are or don't at all, Britney is obviously never going to be te tour de force political commentator Beyoncé is.

If at this stage we measure her on how happy and healthy she looks and how good the music and performance confidence is then last night was a huge success.

[BenDBitch]

1 minute ago, chris_fives said:

I wrote about this a bit in my admittedly charitable review of Glory, which is certainly Spears’ best album in over a decade but, while a welcome return to musical form for Spears, is a far cry from the artistic masterpieces that Rihanna, Kanye West, and Beyoncé released this past year

What the actual ****? Lemonade a masterpiece? Anti? 

 

 

Guys they would write the same article about banananes tbh. They are biased as ****. 

But when Britney gets negative stuff you know that she's on top tbh

there are many beautiful articles. Go and read them and Britney's glorious return

[germanguy20]

2 minutes ago, Maryy said:

they are artistic pieces, we can't deny it. 

well, everybody defines art differently. some people put tissues in an art gallery and claim it is art. 

[marioh]

The praise for Thiefonce everywhere is unbearable. She doesn't do anything spectacular, Lemonade is a good album, but not a masterpiece. And her lipped VMA performance was boring. I can't. 

[Prince Ali]

3 minutes ago, Maryy said:

they are artistic pieces, we can't deny it. 

I can't even listen to one song on any of that albums   artistic my ***

[tsss]

in 07 mtv showed "respect" for her
I could care less about beyonce but their perfomances side to side just show the lack of good production  larry i'm coming for you 

[germanguy20]

I don't care whether people praise beyoncé or not. I don't see her on #2 on iTunes so I could not care less tbh 

[Criminal.G]

There may be some truth in this article, but it is in essence a shade under disguise and pretending not to be one.

 

[Prince Ali]

3 minutes ago, BenDBitch said:

Guys they would write the same article about banananes tbh. They are biased as ****. 

But when Britney gets negative stuff you know that she's on top tbh

there are many beautiful articles. Go and read them and Britney's glorious return

I know.. And I love them.

And I love that Tinashe praised her - 'she killed it.. she served choreo and hairflips'

 

[Mani911]

you're feeding the trolls with posting this negativity 

[TheLightningThief]

I do agree with some points in this article, and I do think MTV and TeamBritney shouldn't have overhyped this performance but whatever. It's not that deep. 

[Youll Have To Wait And See]

Quote

nailing every note while dancing her *** off

Really? I have my doubts...

[thrive94]

I didnt even watch beyonce.i swear i dont get all the hype.She is trashy and her music is boring af.People are stupid af

[Pikapi]

lol i'm not even impressed much w beyonka

when britney's on, I keep on smiling and I think I was closed enough to the TV i might get suck into it

[NewB]

I think this was a fair article but Only the media compare Britney to Beyonce. There's really no competition between them. It was not about Britney vs Beyonce or any other performer that night, it was Britney going against the ghost of the 2007 VMA performance and with last night's confidence, she clearly was TRIUMPHANT - SHE CAME OUT of that backdrop and performed ALONE for a moment - to me that's very significant as if saying I'm here and I'm back and I can stand on my own feet. I'm proud of Britney Spears! An inspiration! 

[lirebelde]

Don't fooling ourself  this was premeditated and Mtv knew the kind of production that would have Britney and of course that would take beyonce due the rehearsals i dont think her team was aware of the entire situation and about the time of presentation of beyonce before britney what is a mistake, Beyonce perfromance was good due the visual and because she bring her lemonade tour on stage if we strip all it was boring and what we've seen of her 3447769099000 times on the contrary, britney's production cheap which put her in disadvantage is a mistake of her team any other big artist would fire them britney with a great production and visual help would have been amazing with that energy but yet I see it as a personal gain return to the same stage that stole herself-confidence.

[Maryy]

19 minutes ago, Hypnotherapy said:

I think we actually disrespect Britney with **** like this. 

It's pathetic to say that she was made look bad by anybody.

Her performance was good. And probably is as good as Britney will ever deliver going forward. She looked fantastic, performed weak choreography really well and pre-recorded a cover. 

Britney hasn't consistently improved as a performer like this since 2003. She isn't comparing herself to Beyoncé so why should we.

Yes I think they made a big misstep by not at least pretending to be singing live when the whole concept was stripped back and a rebirth, but it was a good performance.

MTV don't hate Britney, Beyoncé doesn't sit and calculate ways to upstage her etc etc appreciate an artist for what they are or don't at all, Britney is obviously never going to be te tour de force political commentator Beyoncé is.

If at this stage we measure her on how happy and healthy she looks and how good the music and performance confidence is then last night was a huge success.

Britney and Beyonce can't performance in the same show. that's an obvious fact... because even tho they can't compete in different dimensions, people will ALWAYS compare both of them. general public nowadays are looking for meaning on albums, songs and big artistic performances... Britney just gave a pretty good ok. It's different and a bit weak when comparing her performance with Beyonce's one. it's a fact. we can't deny it. 

i still love Britney and i will always love.

 

ANYWAY, It's time to move on!!! I can't wait for her iHeart and Apple Music performances

9 minutes ago, Mani911 said:

you're feeding the trolls with posting this negativity 

it's not actually a negativity post but whatever. it's just a point of view of all this ****.

MTV has it's part if Britney had 'flop' with her performance last night