The Britney Spears/Matt Lauer interview

by Karen Walrond (Subscribe to Karen Walrond's posts) Jun 17th 2006 4:02PM

Categories: Bump Watch, Life & Style, Rumors, Media, That's Entertainment

Several of you have asked us to comment on the Britney Spears/Matt Lauer interview which aired recently on NBC television. Ordinarily, I would be one of the least qualified staff writers to do this -- despite my frequent celebrity coverage here on Blogging Baby, the truth is, I don't watch television, we don't have cable, and as a general rule, I don't read gossip magazines. In fact, my knowledge of celebrity life is limited to what I write here, and not a bit more.

As serendipity would have it, however, my family and I just returned from a quick trip to Tobago, and while we were there, we stayed in a hotel that did have cable. So, as I was catching up on CNN coverage and flipping through the channels, I happened to come across the Britney Spears/Matt Lauer interview, and morbid curiosity moved me to watch about half of it. After all, half was all I needed to watch to come up with my general conclusion about the whole thing:

I don't get it.

It's not that I don't get whether or not she's a good mother, or whether her marriage is on the rocks -- frankly, who knows the answer to either of those questions. Perhaps she's a great mother in a wonderful marriage, and the media are on a mission to make her look bad. Or maybe she's the world's worst mother, in the world's worst marriage, and the media are just reporting the cold facts. Seriously, who knows? And in the grand scheme of things, does it really matter?

What I really DON'T get, however, is why she didn't even attempt to redeem herself in the interview. Ostensibly, the conversation with Matt Lauer was scheduled to "set the record straight" -- to convince the public that she IS a good mother, and she IS in a great marriage -- a goal which, I presume, Spears knew was going to be a challenge to meet. And yet, with as earnestly as she spoke to Lauer, why didn't she try to convince us with her actions? Did she not realize that doing the interview with messy hair, clumpy mascara, all the while smacking on chewing gum was going to leave an impression on the viewers? Did it not occur to her that wearing an impossibly short skirt and equally improbably-plunging neckline while in the full bloom of pregnancy might be viewed less than favourably by those who tuned in? I found myself wondering where her stylist and PR people were before she sat down with Lauer -- shouldn't someone have made her understand that this interview was a golden opportunity to help restore her tarnished image to its previous gleam?

While watching Spears chomp on her gum and wipe her tears with her chipped-nail-polished hands, I couldn't help but think about another star who has an equally bizarre background, yet seems to be sailing on a publicity high right now: Angelina Jolie. I mean seriously: remember the marriage to Billy Bob Thornton? Vials of blood? Kissing her brother on the mouth before accepting the Oscar? And all this before we even get to the question of whether she has a pattern of breaking up relationships -- yet, let's face it, in motherhood, Jolie's image is practically beyond reproach. Consider the grace with which she handles adoption and childbirth, the elegance with which she carries herself among dignitaries and politicians, and her calm demeanor in front of the tireless glare of the paparazzi. And, while we're being frank, let's just say it openly: Jolie always looks beautiful -- whether she's at a black tie event, or holding the hands of refugee children, or, goodness, just walking in the desert with her children -- she looks fresh, and happy, and impeccably put-together. I've heard several people comment, "I want to hate Angelina Jolie, but I just can't" -- and I must admit, I agree. Jolie, for all her eccentricities, handles herself admirably.

So I couldn't help but wonder why Spears didn't tear a page out of Jolie's Manual for Self-Deportment. Had she taken the time to have a stylist help choose her clothing, her makeup and her hair, and had she managed to calmly respond to Matt's questions (and choose not to answer those which bordered on invasive or, frankly, not worth the trouble of response), hell, had she spit her gum out before opening her mouth, I might have felt differently about her. Instead, the portion of the interview I saw left me believing that the paparazzi and the gossip rags were far more credible than she was -- not because of what she said, but because of how she carried herself. And, inexplicably, this left me feeling a bit sad for her.

What did you think?

Comments (39)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Ethel 6-17-2006 @ 4:20PM

I totally agree, although Brittany having bitten nails (nail biters unite!) puts her in the ranks of Elijah Wood, Samuel Delaney, Luke Wilson, and a lot of others that are an interesting bunch. To me the nail biting kind of redeems her other affectations as someone, well, who is redeemable.

LS 6-17-2006 @ 4:51PM

She reminded me of my 16-year-old babysitter. When you ask her about her boyfriend (who is a stand-up guy), she gets all dreamy-eyed, and says, "awwww" a lot. Britney did the same thing, except she was being asked about her husband's transgressions. "Awww, don't kick the cute puppy" was her naive attitude. This is not the attitude of a woman trying to save her marriage. If my husband was being wrongly accused of being a dirtbag, I'd be fighting mad, not all wishy-washy and teary.

This kid needs some growing up time and some serious adult intervention. I'm not saying she's a bad mom - I'm sure she loves her son, and her unborn baby. She just needs to get out of the public eye and grow up. And she needs to sit and watch that video about a hundred times, and then be given an Ann Taylor catalog so she can find some appropriate clothes.

Stephanie 6-17-2006 @ 6:00PM

When I compare Angelina and Britney in my mind, Angelina seems about two decades older than Britney. I know Angelina is a few (maybe 7) years older than Britney, but she comes across as so much more mature. Something has changed her in the last several years and I'd guess it's all the work she has done across the world.

Still, I don't get why Britney can't have someone help her with her clothes and make-up.

Tiffany 6-17-2006 @ 6:07PM

I didn't see the interview, but based on this account, I would say that she sounded like many of my friends, busy with her kids, her pregnancy, and her career, who doesn't have time to fix her chipped nail polish. As to wearing a short skirt and a plunging neckline, so what? She's in her early 20's and has a career being a sex symbol - why do we as women want to limit other women's right to wear sexy clothing when they are pregnant. Doesn't that buy into society's view that pregnancy isn't sexy? So now we should all cover up like nuns for the duration? I don't this point of view. I have no investment in Britney whatsoever; I'm just so tired of everyone assuming they know this woman when all they know is what the media says about her.

Angelinaluna 6-17-2006 @ 6:39PM

One thing I do know is she didn't paint the picture she was hoping for. She went on that show with a purpose and that was to prove to the world that she was better than the tabloids have made her out to be. Unfortunately, she missed by a mile.

No one has a problem with sexy. Sexy moms are all over Hollywood (again, llok at Angelina). The problem was that her outfit, hair, and demeanor in general was white trash.

I could understand the misconception if someone hasn't seen the interview, but take it from someone who has, IT WAS A TRAINWRECK!!

Kristen 6-17-2006 @ 7:07PM

I've said it before, as many folks have said as well, she needs a better publicist. No self-loving publicist would have let her do that interview looking like that. It's called get a makeover, get some coaching on the questions, and hide ALL the gum.

I do think she went on there as a plea for folks to leave her alone, however, I think she may have made things worse. Not only does she still like an idiot, but she sounds like one too.

Kira 6-17-2006 @ 7:32PM

She looked depressed to me. Like she wanted to respond to all the negative press, but just didn't have the internal reserves to put up a fight.
I agree, the whole thing just left me sad.

thordora 6-17-2006 @ 8:13PM

She has enough money to pay people to protect her from herself. So why wouldn't she? Who on earth would want to go on television looking like that? I sure wouldn't if I could afford not to.

She has my sympathies insofar as the media is concerned, but otherwise, as someone else said awhile back, she really needs her mommy.

daisy 6-17-2006 @ 8:16PM

I don't think the comparison to Angelina Jolie is fair. Angelina, for all her quirks as a young woman (and I'm certainly glad my early 20s self is not recorded on TV), grew up in a priveleged world as the child of wealthy, accomplished actors. Britney is "country" as she herself said. I just don't think it's fair to compare someone who grew up in rich society with an up and comer.

karrie 6-17-2006 @ 8:25PM

I also rarely watch tv, and missed the interview, save a snippet on YouTube a few minutes ago.

My impression from the short clip I watched is that Kira is correct. Britney seems depressed.

I do think Britney's not very bright, and seems to lack both maturity and judgement, yet the image portrayed in the clip was just so sad and pathetic that I feel cruel admitting that Spears strikes me as ignorant and trashy. Maybe that is the effect she was going for?

IMO, Spears doesn't need a better publicist or a stylist. She needs some kind of "mama mentor" and/or parenting classes and a good therapist to help her deal with everything she is going through publicly and in private.

Shanee 6-17-2006 @ 8:26PM

The part that made me really put off with her, was when she was commenting on Kevin saying," Well he is wanting to take care of our kids. He is wanting to be responsible for them." etc. Um okay. What about his other 2 kids? He only needs to change noe for the ones you and him are having?

Yeah that pissed me off, and I loved me some Britney. But not anymore. I didn't feel sad for her. I felt disgust for her.

Eva 6-17-2006 @ 9:01PM

I just don't think it's fair to compare someone who grew up in rich society with an up and comer.
-------------------------------------------
It's absolutely irrelevant to me that she's "country." She gets a pass at acting like a spoilt child simply because she wasn't raised with money? Somehow, Angelina's childhood is responsible for her eloquent speech and her ability to stay poised? No. I wish someone would count all the "likes" and "you know's" that continually peppered her speech as well as her incredibly bizarre use of air quotes just pushed home her inability to be able to form a coherent, grammatically correct sentence. She failed to truly answer a single question. She contradicted herself many times and ultimately she said she was happy and wouldn't change anything about her life why? Because she believes that "everything happens for a reason," but more importantly because she "likes money." Period. She made herself heard that's for sure. And I for one am disgusted.

LB 6-17-2006 @ 9:06PM

I don't see any comparison to Jolie at all. Jolie has always portrayed her sexuality as her own. Even when she was running around in her 20s, all whacked with BillyBob, she was very exotic and very much her own person. Even as male fantasy, Lara Croft, she had the upper hand.

Britney has been the poster girl of a much more American kind of bubble gum type sex-symbol. She was designed and marketed to please others. She has never had the control Angelina has.

I do feel bad for her, even tho I think she is not thinking at all. She seems so overwhelmed and exhausted but doesn't seem to have the sense to just step back. She seems to think she can change people's minds, when she really shouldn't care. It's sad.

chris 6-17-2006 @ 9:37PM

she just seems to young to be taking all this on...
I watched the show and the thing that bugs me is that she might be 6 or 7 months pregnant and has a 9 month old at home ummmmm that makes me wonder about how far she thought this thru... 2 step kids and 2 kids so close to the same age.......... and she's having a hard enough time already

aleaha 6-18-2006 @ 1:32AM

I think that Brittany is a good mother but when your being stalked by the poperzzi somethings you do are not that safe. And what do we know about that.

Amanda 6-18-2006 @ 1:41AM

I think we should just all worry about ourselves....she's a human and there are so many kind's of us out there and I feel that we should back off her and let her dress and live like she wants to, put yourselves in her shoes.. aside from being rich she is going through a lot, she is only human and who are we to tell her how she should live, love and dress??? If you don't like her then don't read things about her or watch tv...who really cares, Be happy for who you are and what you have...and most importantly just be a good person.

AmStarr777 6-18-2006 @ 7:40AM

I did not see the interview so I cannot comment on the events that occurred there. However, while I am no fan of Britney's I think the press is being too hard on her. I am especially saddened by the way she is constantly harassed about her style of motherhood. Which mother among us has not made dastardly mistakes while raising our children? I think it is unfair to label this young woman as a bad mother based on two incidents and to scrutinize her every move. Let the woman enjoy her youth and family in peace. Last but not least, the biggest crime is to compare one woman to another and to top that is to compare one mother with another. OMIGOSH! Can we womenfolk all just get along? SHEESH!

Theresa 6-18-2006 @ 8:27AM

For comment #4, the person who didn't see the interview, there was NOTHING sexy about her look. She looked like white trash, acted like white trash and did not even come close to accomplishing what she set out to do.

Every time she was asked about Kevin, she had a hard time looking at Matt when she answered, she would start looking everywhere else and squirming in her chair. I have to say having him not participating in the interview and instead seeing her sitting by herself trying to defend the marriage spoke volumes! If things are so great, show us!

Katie 6-18-2006 @ 8:58AM

Brit needs to ditch the gum, wash her greasy looking hair, the stubby fingernails would look much better with clear polish, and oh yes, wear some clothes that fit. Dear God what happened to the pretty, classy girl next door Brittany from 4 yrs ago? She looks cheap and sleezy and like a wife of K Fed would look like. LEAVE him and save what dignity you can for you and your children. He is dragging you down with him. None of us believes for a second he is good at being a husband or father or anything else except for maybe a freeloader who is trying to make a name for himself at your expense. Wake up honey before it is too late and baby # 3 is on the way.
I will be praying for you.

LeAnn 6-18-2006 @ 9:24AM

From someone who has been a Britney fan since the Mouseketeer days let me first say how upset I was to see her in such disaray. I feel awful for her, I know how stressing life can be when your pregnant, especially how emotional your are. It's not anyones place to judge her marriage. Speaking from someone whos child's father had little to nothing to do with them throughout the pregnancy, I know how trying and upsetting everyday life can be.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe she is having a hard time with being pregnant b/c she's gained so much weight? She was little before. I have a really good friend who had the hardest time with the weight part of being pregnant. She too was thin and toned and hated how awful she felt b/c she was so big. Don't get me wrong, she loves her child and would not trade her for the world, but she struggled and still is with trying to lose the weight. I really think that it's a psycho-social thing. Especially with todays society where weight is such an issue.

I'm sure she's a wonderful mother, you can see in her eyes how much she loves her son and her unborn child. She is definitely not a pro, what first time mother is? My son is just a month older then Sean Preston and we have had our share of spills. He fell off the bed a 6 months, fell out of the car seat at 9 months, and he frequently falls while trying to walk, he's learning. He often falls asleep in the carseat and his head flops down just like in the picture. And I too have driven with my son in my lap(even though it is just across the street from my parents house to mine, Not on Pacific Coast Highway), it is hard to let your child scream to the point that they gag. Hey, We're country too!

If everyone of us new mothers were constantly followed by cameras and people watching our every move I'm sure you would see that we are all far from pros and that accidents happen. Wouldn't you be nervous if you knew the whole world was watching you and critiquing your parenting skills? I would be a little shaken.

And for the whole Angelina Jolie comparsion, they are BOTH homewreckers! Don't get me wrong, I am a Brit fan but I was a little upset with the Shar Jackson ordeal. That's just wrong. And no matter how wonderful the paprazzi make Angelina look, she will never be the sweet and innocent Jennifer Aniston, to her she will never compare.

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments

How To Submit Photos:
If you'd like your children (any age will do!) featured on ParentDish, upload photos into the ParentDish Flickr Pool. Be sure to read our main Flickr page for more information.