Britney lackluster in Vegas
10:27 AM PT, May 7 2007
Philosophically, I am very interested in Nevada's journalism shield
law. But as an entertainment reporter, I really don't invoke it that often
(ever). I was curious though how the journalism shield law would apply when a
manager at the House of Blues last night was screaming in my face that I could
either give the camera to him or Metro Police would come take the camera from
me. Can that happen? Was he bluffing? I lied. I denied having a camera. I tried
to surreptitiously slip the camera into another pocket while looking the
manager direct in the eye like a magician once taught me. Nothing
worked, and
the Britney Spears show was plodding on in front of me. I was missing the
show. I had no picture, and clearly was not going to get one. So, I decided on
the practical route. I gave him the camera. Any guy who manages a music venue
deserved better than I was treating him, but if ever there was a concert more
about a picture than the music...Handing the camera over symbolized failure. I failed.
worked, and
the Britney Spears show was plodding on in front of me. I was missing the
show. I had no picture, and clearly was not going to get one. So, I decided on
the practical route. I gave him the camera. Any guy who manages a music venue
deserved better than I was treating him, but if ever there was a concert more
about a picture than the music...Handing the camera over symbolized failure. I failed.Some effort had gone into the process of smuggling the tiny camera into
the House of Blues. They required every last cell phone or camera to be checked
at the door for this concert. I was prepared. I had a decoy camera that I willingly gave up at
the entrance. All part of the plan. Meanwhile, I had a spy and myself observe
the entrance protocol and found the security guard who was laziest with his wand
and most perfunctory in his checks. So, after some consideration, I placed the
camera in my sock and picked the line with the security guard who had the work
ethic I wanted. The plan worked; I got to my seat at the M&M's concert
with a tiny key chain camera. I wasn't the only one. I ran into Robin Leach who
gave up two cameras on his way into House of Blues while still managing to
smuggle a third into the show. His date also got a cell phone camera inside. The woman sitting
next to me had a cell phone camera she smuggled in her bra. And, the entire
time Britney was on stage, fans on the floor were holding up cell phones and
cameras to take pictures. So, check the Internet and I am sure you will find
plenty of photos of Britney in Vegas at House of Blues. Sadly, none from
me.
This was actually my first attempt to smuggle a camera into a show
in the history of my life in Vegas. Usually concerts are about what you
hear. But Britney Spears is no longer a musical phenomenon in any way,
shape or form. No one in the line to get into the concert was wondering
what songs she would perform, if she would premiere new material, or
even offer a fresh musical direction? When I suggested she might use
the intimate venue to offer an unplugged set, there was general
snickering. In fact, the entire waiting line was discussing questions
about her appearance, her weight and, of course, her hair. The story
was the picture. What will Britney look like? The answer: she looked
good. She shook and danced and revealed her not fat belly. Her back-up
dancers were smoother with the moves, but the star held her own.
The show happened in a flash. After over an hour of a bland DJ, what Las
Vegas got was identical to what has been reported in other cities throughout
these distinctly odd shows; Britney Spears with backup dancers moved her
lips to canned music and stale choreography. She rushed through a few
abbreviated hits (with some minor technical glitches) and all of this
happened quicker than a Jesus and Mary Chain concert.
Still, on the way out, audience members did not act or sound
cheated or dissatisfied. The Internet had given fair warning what to
expect. A couple people were even emotional at having seen Britney in
person. There were tears of excitement. This was the loyal of the
loyal. It reminded me of the emotion Michael Jackson generates among
his most dedicated fans. Britney has developed that loyalty level from
her core fans, and her travails have only enhanced their all embracing
and obviously, non-judgmental, love. But, as in the case of Michael
Jackson, that audience is not enough to stay at the top as a pop star.
A very short time ago, Britney Spears was seen as the heir to Madonna
and, it is worth noting, that despite the M&M's veneer, the word
was out that Britney Spears was performing this night and still this
show was nowhere near sold out at the tiny House of Blues. At the same
resort, Britney Spears' onetime peer Christina Aguilera, on March 3
packed the many times larger Mandalay Bay Events Center. So, the
lackluster attendance and minimal performance of Spears at House of
Blues only underlines how far her career has fallen of late. Hardly,
the start of a comeback.
Of course, Britney remains a very famous celebrity. She certainly can
still pack them into nightclubs like Pure or Tao, where 15 minute
honorary frolicking, like the recycled tripe she offered last night at House
of Blues, is customary. Paris Hilton does something similar at nightclubs. It is
all about being seen and adding to the party when you show up at a nightclub. But that is not why
people at House of Blues go to a concert, and that is why you would not expect
to see Paris perform at House of Blues.
I admit, Britney Spears is only one hit away from being
back on top. But moments like last night show a star far from ready for that
day. Last night she appeared on stage again, yes, but without anything to offer her fast fading
fan base other than nostalgia (and very few minutes of that), a sad reality for someone still in her twenties.
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"One hit from being back on top"...Richard, puh-leeze. The tide is turning...Mark my words, from American Idol to Britney Spears, cheese music is going out for a few years. The biggest news on AI was some idiot with weird hair. Taylor Who? Even Clay Gayken has disappeared. Kelly Clarkson? One hit wonder. Remember the Boy Bands? No one else does either. I can't wait for the Spice Girls to fall flat on their faces.
Enough of the You Tube generation are growing up and demanding real talent. Of course, I have no proof for this...just an eternal 'glass is half full' outlook that says commercial music can't possibly stay this sh*tty forever.
On a more important note...the story within the story has nothing to do with Britney Spears; it has to do with why you are taking pictures...and I noticed the optically focused Sarah Gerke actually commented on the Josephine Baker blog,. Are we witness to some sort of role reversal here? You with the handy cam and Sarah with digi pen?
Signed,
Conspiracy Karl
Posted by: Big Karl | May 07, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Richard - thanks for sparing us another picture of that overcooked manatee. I prefer the photo you used. Her reps are trying to control the buzz, of course. Please tell me it's not too early for her to retire and move to Fort Lauderdale.
Posted by: Annie E | May 07, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Hi Karl. Thanks as always for reading. No mystery regarding Sarah Gerke. No photographers were allowed into Britney Spears last night, and no review tickets were made available to the press. So, I paid for a ticket, and I took on this adventure alone. As to her comment, Sarah Gerke is free to comment whenever she feels the urge to do so. She has commented a few times on this blog as a person with an opinion sometimes different from mine. As always, she remains the Buffet's photographer of choice. Yrs., Richard
Posted by: Richard Abowitz | May 07, 2007 at 02:49 PM