AP gets Britney's obit ready

[JayFarrar]

I post this in journalism for a couple of reasons.
First nothing wrong with having a file obit ready for almost any celebrity, but here's my problem, it seems like the AP wanted this out there. You can prepare a file obit without making calls or if you do, you can tell people it isn't for the obit file.
Seems like a grab at publicity
Plus, Jesse Washington needs to get punched in the face. "One of the biggest stories in a long time," is he/she ****ing serious?

The AP Has Written Britney Spears’ Obituary
The Associated Press began preparing Britney Spears’ obituary within the past month, Usmagazine.com has learned.
“We are not wishing it, but if Britney passed away, it’s easily one of the biggest stories in a long time,” AP entertainment editor Jesse Washington tells Us.
“I think one would agree that Britney seems at risk right now,” Washington adds. “Of course, we would never wish any type of misfortune on anybody and hope that we would never have to use it until 50 years from now…but if something were to happen, we would have to be prepared.”
Following a bizarre night out Wednesday, Spears’ pal Sam Lutfi phoned into Ryan Seacrest’s radio show, claiming, “everything’s fine.”

 

[User 1019]

I guess we know who their top Dead Pool candidate is.

 

[sportschick]

For an entertainment writer, Britney dying would be one of the biggest stories he/she/it has dealt with. I don't see the need for physical violence. It's no different than one of us saying the Patriots are one of the biggest stories in a long time.

Also, AP probably has obits written on almost everyone vaguely important. Makes it easier if somebody dies right on deadline.

 

[Rockbottom]

I, for one, agree with Mr. Washington. Britney literally self-destructing would make Anna Nicole Smith look like a ninth-grade scrum in comparison. And c'mon, he is the entertainment editor!

rb

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

Imagine if someone had Brad Renfro, Britney Spears and Macauley Caulkin all in the same death pool. That's a lot of points.

I can see some outrage in this, like they are planning for her death. I guess it's the same as us sports folk laying out a Super Bowl page in advance.

 

[Double Down]

Brit's death vs. Marilyn Monroe's death.

In terms of cultural impact, not the talent of the individual.

Discuss.

 

[Rockbottom]

Hmmm. Similar, to be honest. Brit's demise would send some of the same shock waves over a generation of kids, for sure. Monroe's fanbase was a wee bit older.

rb

 

[TwoGloves]

Imagine if someone had Brad Renfro, Britney Spears and Macauley Caulkin all in the same death pool. That's a lot of points.

I can see some outrage in this, like they are planning for her death. I guess it's the same as us sports folk laying out a Super Bowl page in advance.

Has MacCauley Caulkin had recent issues I missed?

 

[JayFarrar]

Fascinating question by double down, who I have decided is the Onion's Scott Tobias and if not, it is a little scary to realize two people are as obsessive about The Wire.
Anyway, I need to ponder. A thoughtful questions needs a thoughtful answer.
Point taken on the entertainment angle, but that's not what Washington said. The quote was biggest stories, not biggest entertainment stories. He (I guess this is confirmed?) seemed to imply it would be on par with the death of a president.
Plus, I have never understood the whole Britney obsession.

 

[Walter Burns]

I post this in journalism for a couple of reasons.
First nothing wrong with having a file obit ready for almost any celebrity, but here's my problem, it seems like the AP wanted this out there. You can prepare a file obit without making calls or if you do, you can tell people it isn't for the obit file.
Seems like a grab at publicity
Plus, Jesse Washington needs to get punched in the face. "One of the biggest stories in a long time," is he/she ****ing serious?

The AP Has Written Britney Spears’ Obituary
The Associated Press began preparing Britney Spears’ obituary within the past month, Usmagazine.com has learned.
“We are not wishing it, but if Britney passed away, it’s easily one of the biggest stories in a long time,” AP entertainment editor Jesse Washington tells Us.
“I think one would agree that Britney seems at risk right now,” Washington adds. “Of course, we would never wish any type of misfortune on anybody and hope that we would never have to use it until 50 years from now…but if something were to happen, we would have to be prepared.”
Following a bizarre night out Wednesday, Spears’ pal Sam Lutfi phoned into Ryan Seacrest’s radio show, claiming, “everything’s fine.”

And Washington said "passed away."
ARRGH

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

Imagine if someone had Brad Renfro, Britney Spears and Macauley Caulkin all in the same death pool. That's a lot of points.

I can see some outrage in this, like they are planning for her death. I guess it's the same as us sports folk laying out a Super Bowl page in advance.

Has MacCauley Caulkin had recent issues I missed?

Just his early drug use that I think will come back very soon to haunt him like other previous teen movie stars. Either that, or Michael Jackson will go deranged. Pick one or the other.

 

[sportschick]

Fascinating question by double down, who I have decided is the Onion's Scott Tobias and if not, it is a little scary to realize two people are as obsessive about The Wire.
Anyway, I need to ponder. A thoughtful questions needs a thoughtful answer.
Point taken on the entertainment angle, but that's not what Washington said. The quote was biggest stories, not biggest entertainment stories. He (I guess this is confirmed?) seemed to imply it would be on par with the death of a president.
Plus, I have never understood the whole Britney obsession.

In his mind though, it probably is one of the biggest stories ever, because that's what he deals with on a daily basis. That's what he cares about.

Whether you like or get Britney or not, her dying would be a huge story. And saying it's one of the biggest stories in a long time is hardly saying it's bigger than the death of a president.

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

Brit's death vs. Marilyn Monroe's death.

In terms of cultural impact, not the talent of the individual.

Discuss.

Both were seen as sex symbols in their prime, but Marilyn's will have more impact simply because of the lasting images of her beauty.

With Britney, you go from this...

to

Monroe will always be known for her lasting beauty. It still reverberates today as many people compare current stars to her.

On the other hand, Britney will always be known as the teen-pop star who saw it all go downhill (career, family and looks wise).

For the late-teens to 20-something generation, Britney's death may have the same feel as Monroe's, but the everlasting appeal makes it a landslide in Marilyn's favor.

 

[finishthehat]

A blog called x17online is now proudly displaying pictures taken last night of Britney getting out of a car. You can see the blood stains on her white panties, thus proving, the blog says, that she's not pregnant. (They helpfully provide an ultra-close-up.)

This whole thing can't get much weirder.

 

[broadway joe]

A blog called x17online is now proudly displaying pictures taken last night of Britney getting out of a car. You can see the blood stains on her white panties, thus proving, the blog says, that she's not pregnant. (They helpfully provide an ultra-close-up.)

This whole thing can't get much weirder.

OK, between Britney's blood-stained panties and the reference to Peter King licking Brett Favre's anus on another thread, I've had my stomach turned twice today on this board. I think I'll go finish vomiting now.

 

[shotglass]

I can see some outrage in this, like they are planning for her death. I guess it's the same as us sports folk laying out a Super Bowl page in advance.

In some of the larger news-gathering institutions, this is one person's job -- writing obituaries for people who aren't dead yet. And a good newspaper should have something tucked away for their most newsworthy individuals.

 

[imjustagirl2]

We had to write an advance obit in my junior-year journalism class. My group chose Cal Ripken Jr. Doesn't mean we wanted him dead.

We all joke about her descent on here. Now, the AP is trying to prepare (god forbid she kick and papers not get an obit within 10 minutes...they'd be screaming bloody murder) and we give them **** for that too?

 

[Tom Petty]

A blog called x17online is now proudly displaying pictures taken last night of Britney getting out of a car. You can see the blood stains on her white panties, thus proving, the blog says, that she's not pregnant. (They helpfully provide an ultra-close-up.)

This whole thing can't get much weirder.

went there; didn't see it.

 

[deskslave]

A blog called x17online is now proudly displaying pictures taken last night of Britney getting out of a car. You can see the blood stains on her white panties, thus proving, the blog says, that she's not pregnant. (They helpfully provide an ultra-close-up.)

This whole thing can't get much weirder.

went there; didn't see it.

Maybe your brain anticipated it and shut down the feed to your eyes.

 

[Mr. Homer]

RIP