Matatouille - Thought, Opinion, Nonsense, Etc.

That Poor girl." That's what I always think these days when I hear Britney's name. Think about it. This girl started working when she was like 8 years old. I don't even see how that's legal. Really. How is it legal for a child to work? A little girl can't get a job at McDonald's, or in the coal mines. Wasn't that the rallying cry back in the day? We've got to help these poor kids in the coal mines. Well, Britney may not have Black Lung, but she may have a problem just as bad.

Trust me, when the tabloids start to take bets on when you're going to croak, you've really got problems. And it seems obvious that a lot of her problems stem from being a child star. How is it illegal for a kid to flip burgers but not to be on the Mickey Mouse Club? The principle is the same, isn't it?

In any event, obviously between being a child star, and... let's say her parental shortcomings, it appears that this once pretty, sweet young girl has now just about... lost... her... mind. Sigh...

Is it her fault? I don't see how it can be. Sure, she's been a little wild, but what do you think you'd be like if you were a huge star at 15, and a millionaire? I shudder to think what I would have done with that kind of money and access as a kid. Frankly, I was an idiot at that age. I probably would have drowned in a pool of groupies.

I worked for a former child star once. I wouldn't want to say his name. He's not a bad person.... In fact, he's a nice guy.... But he has problems.

He was a semi-regular on a TV series during most of his teen years, and worked semi-regularly in lower level entertainment for most of his twenties. You know, B movies, the washed up celebrity circuit, mall openings, that sort of thing. He's probably been on one of those dumb reality shows by now. Anyway, he bought himself a little house with the last of his money, so he was able to keep going on residual checks and the occasional job. So, he didn't have to get a regular job, a 9 to 5 thing.

If you've worked a normal job most of your life, and you've never known someone who could afford to laze around most of the time, trust me when I tell you it's really not good for your mental health. It's really not. You have no idea how lucky you are that you have to get up in the morning and go someplace. It's especially bad for a man in his 20's or 30's. These people generally become drug addicts or alcoholics, never get married; just get stoned all day, watch Maury Povitch and order takeout. It's not a pretty sight.

Anyway, this guy was really messed up. He got high most days before noon, and he always had someone working for him; fetching stuff, answering phones, that sort of thing. Me, for 4 months. Most pathetic job of my life.

So, I really feel for Britney. This is not really a situation she's created. It was kind of thrust upon her. Would you have said no to international stardom at 15? I don't think so. So, next time you see an unflattering picture of Britney in OK! magazine, or watch her sad tale unfold on Access Hollywood, have a little sympathy. But for the grace of God, this could have been you.

Matt Lipeles