Today's meltdown is the price of unrealistic expectations...

[Steel Magnolia]

Nov 28, 2008

Britney's sixth studio album is released.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_(Britney_Spears_album)

Dec 11, 2008

Rolling Stone publishes a conversation with contributing editor Jenny Eliscu, who after interviewing Britney, says of the conservatorship: "It's a problem for her now." Eliscu says, "Anyway, I had done some preliminary research into it, but I was not yet aware how hard Britney had tried to fight it initially and why. As my research progressed, it started to become clear to me that this might not be something that should still be in place. Because it is designed, ideally, to protect people who are seriously ill. We're talking about people who are non compos mentis, according to the lawyers I consulted. Or they're in a vegetative state. Or they're just so old that they can't take care of themselves anymore. But Britney? It was making less and less sense as time went on."

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/behind-the-britney-story-a-conversation-with-writer-jenny-eliscu-20081211

Jan 13, 2009

"Britney Spears' former manager claims she has made her comeback too soon. Johnny Wright...said: "A comeback is not what I wish for Britney. All her essential relationships have been torn apart. She's been divorced twice, she doesn't have custody of her kids, she is being pushed back into being a money machine."..."It's too soon for her to be a part of a manufactured machine that is pushing her to have to be a success."..."In the beginning, in her mind, she could stop at any time. Now she's thinking, 'I've got 170 people on payroll, my dad quit his job, my mom relies totally on me and I can't take a break.'"..."When a parent becomes an employee of a child, they worry about getting fired, so they stop being parents in order not to get laid off."..."Britney has to rival Madonna out there, but Madonna really wants to do it. Seeing Britney do it by the numbers isn't a good sign. It means she might not want it as much as those around her do."

http://www.icelebz.com/gossips/former_manager_thinks_britney_spears_made_her_comeback_too_soon/

[Steel Magnolia]

Jan 21, 2009

JFX obtains an “alleged” voicemail left by Britney Spears, on January 21, 2009, at 12:29 a.m., contesting the conservatorship. In it she says, “Hi my name’s Britney Spears. I called you earlier. I’m calling again because I just wanted to make sure that during the process of eliminating the conservatorship that my father has threatened me several times, you know, he’ll take my children away. I just want to be guaranteed that everything will be fine with the process of you guys taking care of everything that things will stay the same as far as my custodial time. That’s it, bye.”

http://www.jfxonline.com/2009/04/01/audio-britney-spears-calls-for-help/

Feb 3, 2009

"Britney Spears's former manager Sam Lutfi is suing the singer and her parents, Jamie and Lynne Spears, for defamation and breach of contract, L.A. court documents show...Lutfi claims he and Britney had an oral agreement that he would be compensated 15 percent of her earnings as her manager. Lutfi alleges that the agreement was confirmed in a text message on Oct. 13, 2007 in which the singer wrote: "sam, so thats fine, i want you to be my manager, you were right its 15 percent of my money but for 4 years not 5." Lutfi claims that he hasn't received any payment for his alleged services." 

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20256633,00.html

Feb 23, 2009

"Daddy Jamie Spears is on the stand right now, explaining that Britney somehow got her hands on a pre-paid cell phone which caused him fits because they have been strictly monitoring the phones she's able to use. The nanny heard Britney talking to Sam and Adnan on the pre-paid phone in the wee hours of the morning one day. It appears Jamie believes Sam and Adnan got her the phone in an attempt to poison her against Jamie and to torpedo the conservatorship."

http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/23/britney-spears-lutfi-adnan-court/

[MoodRing]

That is haunting, he hits the nail on the head for sure.

[Steel Magnolia]

Feb 26, 2009

"Britney Spears' restraining order against former manager Sam Lutfi and ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib has been extended...Also named on the restraining order is lawyer Jon Eardley, whom Britney allegedly contacted to fight father Jamie Spears's conservatorship..."

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/britney-spears-extends-restraining-order-against-former-manager-ex-boyfriend-20090226

Mar 4, 2009

Reviews pour in for the opening night of "The Circus...Starring Britney Spears."

http://www.mtv.com/news/1606244/britney-spears-fits-just-about-everything-into-first-circus-tour-stop/

June 5, 2009

Britney's attorney's have settled her suit with Johhny Wright. 

http://www.eonline.com/ca/uberblog/b127874_britney_settling_up_with_ex-manager.html

Oct 9, 2009

"Britney Spears’ ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib accepted a plea bargain on felony charges which had loomed against him since last spring...Ghalib plead no contest...The judge ordered him to serve 45 days in jail...The felony charges stem from an altercation with a process server who claims Ghalib tried to run him over with his car last February. Ghalib had consistently plead not guilty..."

http://breatheheavy.com/2009/10/09/felony-charges-dismissed-...

Jan 24, 2011

"Songwriter Claude Kelly...explained that Britney's 2008 LP served a very specific purpose... "The last album was more clean pop. [Its purpose] was to reintroduce Britney to the world as the pop princess..." 

http://www.mtv.com/news/1656529/britney-spears-new-album/

[Steel Magnolia]

Mar 30, 2011

James P. Spears remains the President of all of Britney's corporations:

https://www.corporationwiki.com/Tennessee/Brentwood/james-p-spears/43452728.aspx

The mailing address of Britney's corporations is 215 Ward Cir, Ste 200, Brentwood, TN 37027:

https://www.corporationwiki.com/Address/Details?stateSlug=Tennessee&citySlug=Brentwood&addressId=924953

This is also the address of the Calvary Chapel, as well as Britney's business manager, Lou M. Taylor:

http://www.tristarse.com/

As of this date, Jamie Lynn Spears also continues to be managed by Lou M. Taylor:

https://www.facebook.com/jamielynnspears/about/?tab=page_info

[Steel Magnolia]

Apr 29, 2011:

"Lutfi describes and attributes Britney’s abusive use of Adderall (that “no doubt” caused her manic episodes and insomnia) to losing visitation with her children in 2008 and being subjected to two involuntary 5150 holds in 2007. Now Lutfi wants **** tests and child monitor reports from three years ago. He believes they will absolve him of allegations by Lynne in her book, “Through the Storm,” that he was trying to put Britney into a “**** induced coma.” Lynne first made the claims in a 2008 declaration that resulted in a restraining order against Lutfi."

http://breatheheavy.com/2011/04/29/sam-lutfi-claims-britney-...

June 17, 2011:

Reviews pour in after the opening night of Britney's "Femme Fatale" tour.

http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/britney-spears-earns-raves-for-femme-fatale-tour-opener-2011176

July 1, 2011

"A licensing company that is suing Britney Spears for breach of contract, is demanding that a judge order the pop star to be deposed..."Brand Sense intends to seek immediate relief from the probate court's order. The notion that Britney Spears is mentally or emotionally unfit to testify under oath is a sham..."

A hearing has been set for July 11, 2011 to determine if Britney will be ordered to be deposed."

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/07/britney-spears-deposed-request-brand-sense-lawsuit-elizabeth-arden-perfume/

July 11, 2011

An LA judge denies a request by lawyers for Brand Sense to force Britney to be deposed in the case. The reason is because Britney is still under conservatorship.

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/07/britney-spears-doesnt-have-be-deposed-lawsuit-judge-rules/

Aug 31, 2011

An LA judge denies a request from Brand Sense, who was attempting to gain access to Britney‘s medical information. The judge looks visibly angry, saying she knew Brand Sense said “the conservatorship was a sham.”

http://allieiswired.com/archives/2011/08/brand-sense-britney...

Sept 27, 2011

Brand Sense Partners loses their appeal to overturn an earlier ruling by the Hon. Reva Goetz that disallowed Brand from deposing Britney.

http://breatheheavy.com/2011/09/27/licens

Feb 17, 2012

Britney settles her lawsuit with Brand Sense. "The financial terms of the settlement are redacted, but the docs make it clear -- Britney paid Brand Sense commissions for a period of years, in addition to a lump sum." 

http://www.tmz.com/2012/02/17/britney-spears-perfume-lawsuit-settled-brand-sense/#.T0GIZczrU8Y

[Steel Magnolia]

Mar 1, 2012

Britney has settled a lawsuit filed by Fernando Flores. "The terms of the settlement are confidential."

http://www.tmz.com/2012/03/01/britney-spears-bodyguard-lawsuit-******-harassment/#.T1ZUC8zrU8Y

Apr 6, 2012

Sources tell TMZ, "Brit's conservators will be filing a petition later today to add Jason as a co-conservator ... a move that makes total sense considering the two are all set to be married some time in the near future. We're told Brit's dad Jamie Spears -- who is already one of the conservators -- is "thrilled" about the move." 

http://www.tmz.com/2012/04/06/jason-trawick-britney-spears-conservatorship/#.T3-oS47rU8Y

[Clumsywhore]

1 hour ago, MoodRing said:

I can't believe what's happened here today because of an article in which Larry discussed the Make Me video. I've yet to decide whether it's legitimately pissed off everyone or just people who were still hurting about the original MV.

 

I want Britney to do well, I want her to succeed, I want the album sales to be commendable and I want her singles to make an impact on pop culture. I want her to perform well, dance well, sing live. Above all I want her to be HAPPY and I would feel terrible paying my money if she really didn't even want to be on that stage. But I probably still would.

 

This forum falls for it every time there's a new video, appearance or performance out; we hype it up, we hope things are going to astound us, we think her team will make the right decisions. Then a number of us start bemoaning the fact that it doesn't happen.

 

There's only been little hints here and there over the past decade that Britney appears more interested once again; when I see her looking toned, when I see her tweeting from rehearsals. But nothing has ever told me to unconditionally believe that she's going to be back to her prime. I don't take these little signs as proof that she's going to slay the world once again, I just hope that it means she's happy. 

 

But we need to stop been disappointed with everything. It's been nine years of this and the fact that many of us have stuck with her is a testament that this fan base CAN be united. I still love her and support her even when I know she can't be bothered, whether that makes me foolish or not.

 

I think Britney's been on a very slow, gradual trajectory of improvement since 2007, but I honestly believe that the end of the conservator ship would let us know where she really stands. We know NOTHING about the details, but it pains me to watch her strut about on Ellen with all the legal rights of her own children. Sometimes I am terrified for her that she is under someone's control and she hates it, and there's little she can do about it. 

 

Only when we know that Britney herself has 100% control over her own career will we able to see what she wants. I don't think the C-ship is enough of a focal point amongst fans anymore; we've been told that it's merely legal in name and just a formality now, but I don't believe that. For all we know Britney could be wanting to make choices for her career that get rebuffed by people around her.

 

For whatever reason, and regardless of whether or not we ever find out why, Britney is not the same. I accept that, and don't expect the old one to magically reappear. It sounds crazy as I write this sentence but right now if we want to be Britney fans, we have to support her and not criticise her for not matching our expectations. I would like the vigour of her pre-conservatorship days back, but I don't expect them. It's not helping Britney or ourselves if we just continue to wait for the old Britney to come back with music, promotion and performances that satisfy us. 

Larry??

[Clumsywhore]

4 minutes ago, Steel_Magnolia said:

Apr 29, 2011:

"Lutfi describes and attributes Britney’s abusive use of Adderall (that “no doubt” caused her manic episodes and insomnia) to losing visitation with her children in 2008 and being subjected to two involuntary 5150 holds in 2007. Now Lutfi wants **** tests and child monitor reports from three years ago. He believes they will absolve him of allegations by Lynne in her book, “Through the Storm,” that he was trying to put Britney into a “**** induced coma.” Lynne first made the claims in a 2008 declaration that resulted in a restraining order against Lutfi."

http://breatheheavy.com/2011/04/29/sam-lutfi-claims-britney-...

June 17, 2011:

Reviews pour in after the opening night of Britney's "Femme Fatale" tour.

http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/britney-spears-earns-raves-for-femme-fatale-tour-opener-2011176

July 1, 2011

"A licensing company that is suing Britney Spears for breach of contract, is demanding that a judge order the pop star to be deposed..."Brand Sense intends to seek immediate relief from the probate court's order. The notion that Britney Spears is mentally or emotionally unfit to testify under oath is a sham..."

A hearing has been set for July 11, 2011 to determine if Britney will be ordered to be deposed."

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/07/britney-spears-deposed-request-brand-sense-lawsuit-elizabeth-arden-perfume/

July 11, 2011

An LA judge denies a request by lawyers for Brand Sense to force Britney to be deposed in the case. The reason is because Britney is still under conservatorship.

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/07/britney-spears-doesnt-have-be-deposed-lawsuit-judge-rules/

Aug 31, 2011

An LA judge denies a request from Brand Sense, who was attempting to gain access to Britney‘s medical information. The judge looks visibly angry, saying she knew Brand Sense said “the conservatorship was a sham.”

http://allieiswired.com/archives/2011/08/brand-sense-britney...

Sept 27, 2011

Brand Sense Partners loses their appeal to overturn an earlier ruling by the Hon. Reva Goetz that disallowed Brand from deposing Britney.

http://breatheheavy.com/2011/09/27/licens

Feb 17, 2012

Britney settles her lawsuit with Brand Sense. "The financial terms of the settlement are redacted, but the docs make it clear -- Britney paid Brand Sense commissions for a period of years, in addition to a lump sum." 

http://www.tmz.com/2012/02/17/britney-spears-perfume-lawsuit-settled-brand-sense/#.T0GIZczrU8Y

Why TF are u posting trash like this?

[Dark Prerogative]

13 minutes ago, Steel_Magnolia said:

In case anyone is wondering why I'm posting these, I think everyone forgets about the events that led to this situation in the first place. The exact same players are in place that were involved back in 2006 to 2008. Those are the same people Britney is dealing with today.

I was really young when these things happened (2006-2008) but I remember that Britney was everywhere and it was really hard for her.
Whenever I turned on the TV and watched some entertaiment shows, I was afraid that they would show that something bad happened to Britney. It was really sad the day I was watching E and all of the sudden they showed when Brit was taken out of her house and put into an ambulance, I was really scared for her life. 
Even though, she has gone through really difficult situations, nowadays it seems like she is in a different place and I am glad she is. 

[Steel Magnolia]

1 minute ago, Clumsywhore said:

Why TF are u posting trash like this?

Considering that Britney only settled her lawsuit with Lutfi just a few days ago, I'd say it's very relevant.

Lou Taylor was also the person negotiating with Brand Sense, so it's also quite relevant as she continues to handle all of Britney's finances to this day.

[MoodRing]

If the Lufti suit has only just been resolved, what else is waiting to be dealt with?

[Steel Magnolia]

9 minutes ago, Dark Prerogative said:

I was really young when these things happened (2006-2008) but I remember that Britney was everywhere and it was really hard for her.
Whenever I turned on the TV and watched some entertaiment shows, I was afraid that they would show that something bad happened to Britney. It was really sad the day I was watching E and all of the sudden they showed when Brit was taken out of her house and put into an ambulance, I was really scared for her life. 
Even though, she has gone through really difficult situations, nowadays it seems like she is in a different place and I am glad she is. 

I'm five years older than Britney, so I likely watched the situation unfold with a much different set of eyes.

She does seem like she's in a much better place now. It's great to see.

[Prince Ali]

Wanting a singer to sing live is an unrealistic expectation?

Wanting her to release her original video is an unrealistic expectation?

Wanting her to care about her performances is an unrealistic expectation?
Gurl, bai

 

 

 

[TheGloryBritney]

It's a serious thing but I do believe she's kinda okay with it nowadays 

[Steel Magnolia]

7 minutes ago, MoodRing said:

If the Lufti suit has only just been resolved, what else is waiting to be dealt with?

I can't think of any other lawsuits off hand. As far as I know, his lawsuit was the last of the long series of legal issues that have been pending since the c-ship went into effect.

I have no idea about the status of her custody of the boys. I know it now appears she has physical custody, but that may have been a special deal that was brokered with Kevin outside of the family court system.

[MoodRing]

12 minutes ago, chris_fives said:

Wanting a singer to sing live is an unrealistic expectation?

Wanting her to release her original video is an unrealistic expectation?

Wanting her to care about her performances is an unrealistic expectation?
Gurl, bai

 

 

 

At this point, it is. You know that you support Britney, not someone who is known for singing live or even trying. At this point in her career, yes, it is an unrealistic expectation. I'd say make peace with it or at the very least don't criticise her for it. And this is my point, DOES Britney care? If she doesn't, why not? Because we don't know the answers, we have to support her until we do. That's what fans do.

 

You have justifiable expectations, just not realistic for Britney!

[Prince Ali]

4 minutes ago, MoodRing said:

At this point, it is. You know that you support Britney, not someone who is known for singing live or even trying. At this point in her career, yes, it is an unrealistic expectation. I'd say make peace with it or at the very least don't criticise her for it. And this is my point, DOES Britney care? If she doesn't, why not? Because we don't know the answers, we have to support her until we do. That's what fans do.

I know you're right, but I think we can't settle for mediocre.. She is THE Britney Spears.. Like c'mon.. If only she wanted something she could do it

I will always support her and her music but I can also have some expectations

[MoodRing]

 

6 minutes ago, chris_fives said:

I know you're right, but I think we can't settle for mediocre.. She is THE Britney Spears.. Like c'mon.. If only she wanted something she could do it

I will always support her and her music but I can also have some expectations

And that is fine but you can't be disappointed every time, it's been nine years and if anything it was only Work ***** that reminded me she might still pull a surprise out of the hat one day. We can't wait for another Work ***** moment. We have to enjoy everything, even the messed up singles.

[Steel Magnolia]

12 minutes ago, MoodRing said:

 

And that is fine but you can't be disappointed every time, it's been nine years and if anything it was only Work ***** that reminded me she might still pull a surprise out of the hat one day. We can't wait for another Work ***** moment. We have to enjoy everything, even the messed up singles.

It was the Circus era that set fan expectations so high.

Some of her best videos came out of that era - Womanizer, Circus, If U Seek Amy...Radar (  )

Some of her best concert staging, choreography and costumes came out of that era. Also some of her best photoshoots.

I'm not sure it's fair to say that the conservatorship and/or Britney was the problem...at the start. It hasn't been nine years since she delivered quality work. It's only been more like five.

I tend to think the biggest problem right now is the budgets. They can no longer afford to hire "the best," so they're working with what mid-level professionals are offering them.