Spears' negative criticism undeserved
Celebrity Extra By Cindy Elavsky

Spears

Q: What do you make of the fallout from Britney Spears' appearance on the MTV Video Music Awards? - A Reader, via e-mail

A: While I think it's a shame that Britney's performance wasn't quite up to snuff, I think it's an even bigger shame the way she is being eviscerated in the press. First off, to call her fat, as many "news" outlets are doing, is just plain wrong and irresponsible.

So her stomach isn't a sixpack -- she still looks better than about 97 percent of women today. And if it's true that Britney heard comedian Sarah Silverman's scathing remarks about her, her career and her young children, then I could see why that would wreck her concentration.

Britney came to the show to perform, not to be the subject of an unannounced roast. That kind of brutal humor was not called for during an awards ceremony. It's hard for me to applaud someone who preys on others when they are at a personal low just to get a cheap laugh.

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Q: I just rented "The Painted Veil" and was absolutely stunned, especially by the performance of Edward Norton. What's the next project he's got up his sleeve? -- Janet J., via e-mail

Norton

A: Wasn't he amazing? I absolutely love him and feel he is one of this generation's best actors. Next up, Edward will reunite with his "Fight Club" co-star Brad Pitt in new movie titled "State of Play." The film is an adaptation of the BBC miniseries. Edward is a U.S. congressman facing an investigation over the death of his mistress, and Brad is a journalist following the case. Shooting will begin as soon as Edward finishes filming "The Incredible Hulk."

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Q: I just saw "2010: The Year We Make Contact" with an actress who resembled Helen Mirren. Was it her? -- C.A., via e-mail

A: A few decades before this British beauty won an Oscar portraying a queen, she co-starred with Roy Scheider and John Lithgow in this outer-space sci-fimovie. As I'm sure you know, the 1984 movie was a sequel to "2001: A Space Odyssey." The movie picks up nine years later, where a crew led by Dr. Heywood Floyd must go to Jupiter and reactivate the HAL 9000 computer to understand the meaning of astronaut Dave Bowman's last transmission: "My God, it's full of stars ..."

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Q: I would like to know what happened to Campbell Brown. Why is she no longer on "Weekend Today" on NBC? -- Karen G., via e-mail

A: Campbell announced on June 24 that she and her husband, Dan Senor, were expecting their first child. On July 22 she stated that she would be leaving NBC news after 11 years to spend more time with her family and to prepare for the new addition. The next day, CNN confirmed that Campbell will be filling the spot that Paula Zahn is vacating in November.

Have a question for Cindy? E-mail her at letters@cindyelavsky.com, or write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.