Headline Of The Week Weak

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"Paparazzo quits in protest at Britney 'hounding'"

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Paparazzo quits in protest at Britney 'hounding'

When paparazzi have a crisis of conscience over the wellbeing of their celebrity prey, events have clearly reached a serious level. So it is with Britney Spears, the troubled pop star and America's favourite tabloid fodder, who was back under psychiatric evaluation in a Los Angeles hospital last night after the latest in a series of highly publicised meltdowns.

As the singer's family and manager bickered over the right to direct her treatment after a court-ordered commitment into mental health care, a British photographer who has quit the chasing media pack warned the hounding could kill her.

Nick Stern has resigned from Splash, a Los Angeles-based, British-owned celebrity picture agency, in protest at the "aggressive" tactics employed in pursuing Spears, and predicted tragedy.
"Directly or indirectly, Britney is going to come to some horrific end, or a member of the public will," he said. "It's not what's being done, it's the way it's being done. As she continues to deteriorate psychologically, I just can't see a positive way out."

The biggest threat, Stern said, came from the high-speed convoy of photographers' cars and motorcycles that follow Spears' every move through Los Angeles. The pursuit reached a new frenzy in the early hours of yesterday when the paparazzi tailed an ambulance and police escort taking the 26-year-old singer to hospital for the second time this month.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the trail of emergency vehicles that took Spears to the UCLA Medical Centre stretched longer than a football field. In an operation conducted with military precision, police and medical crews spoke secretively of "delivering the package", in a failed attempt to throw photographers off the scent.

"The paps are completely out of control," said Stern, 43. "It's not unusual to have 20 or 30 cars pursuing her at any one time. It's become acceptable to drive at 80mph down the wrong side of the street into oncoming traffic. I was horrified at what goes on. It's so aggressive, there are fights and crashes and slashed tyres. I felt I needed to say something."

Spears has exhibited increasingly bizarre behaviour in the past 12 months and has lost visitation rights to her two children, Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one, fathered by her estranged husband, Kevin Federline. The two are engaged in a custody battle.

After the singer's admission to hospital yesterday, a judge at the Los Angeles county superior court signed an order committing her to a mandatory three-day evaluation, after which the stay could be extended to 14 days.

According to sources, Spears' family had planned the intervention for two weeks with the cooperation of the police and hospital but against the wishes of the singer's manager, Sam Lutfi. In recent weeks, friends and family have said they believe she is suffering from bipolar disorder, which is characterised by abrupt mood swings, or other psychiatric problems.

The circus continued in the hospital corridor early yesterday with a heated argument between Lutfi and Lynne and Jamie Spears. According to the celebrity website tmz.com, doctors are now "cooperating fully" with the singer's parents.

In London, meanwhile, the Rambert Dance Company has produced a music and dance interpretation of Spears' troubles, Meltdown, that it intends to perform tonight at the Southbank Centre. The show ends with her carried off by dancers dressed as doctors in white coats.

Posted: Feb 1, 2008 at 12:59 am / Email this »

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535 comments to “Headline Of The Week Weak”

More comments: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 »

MEL says – reply to this

1

1st
annna says – reply to this

2

hope she gets the medical attention she needs, she has to go far, far away from all this
MEL says – reply to this

3

yayyyyyy i really was!! BRITNEY IS SO FUCKED Y DOES SHE NOT CARE BOUT GETTIN BETTER?!?!?
cortney says – reply to this

4

let her be crazy in peace!
perez says – reply to this

5

FIRST
SARAH says – reply to this

6

FIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRST
doug says – reply to this

7

first
Elena says – reply to this

8

I hope someone that Britney trusts/ respects can help her understand the profound effect she has on her millions of fans and supporters who watch her so closely everyday. Perhaps there is a REASON this attention won't go away - maybe this woman is supposed to help spread GOOD in the world, compassion, and light. So instead of turning inward and trying to ignore her high profile position, she should use it to help clean up the emotional imbalance/hapless lives of mixed-up young girls so desperate to justify her selfish behaviour. So, become a humanitarian of some kind, or this fame is such a waste!!!
C J says – reply to this

9

First…. GO Hillary!!!
one says – reply to this

10

#1
natmo30@gmail.com says – reply to this

11

first! get well brit.
SARAH says – reply to this

12

FIRRRST IS ME BNSAIHS
NobodySpecial says – reply to this

13

Gee, Nick Stern is such a fucking humanitarian. I guess he will have to go find a new job flipping burgers or whatever paps are qualified to do. Or perhaps this is a attempt to start his own "caring" pap company. Asshole.
grd says – reply to this

14

yay
stef says – reply to this

15

1st
sally says – reply to this

16

FIRST
pauperbabe says – reply to this

17

i love britney spears!!!!
C J says – reply to this

18

How SAD For Her….
miranda says – reply to this

19

yeah i'm # 1!!!!!
Natalie says – reply to this

20

get well brit brit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FIRST
LilLil says – reply to this

21

Wow…
mona says – reply to this

22

wish the others would follow suit
amy says – reply to this

23

first? what a shame.
stephanie says – reply to this

24

FIRST!!!
doug says – reply to this

25

First biatchess!!!
Perez, answer my email suggestions ho!!
lilly says – reply to this

26

poor thing……
eat my ass says – reply to this

27

enough with britney. no one fucking cares anymore.
ENRIQUE says – reply to this

28

YAY!!
cristina says – reply to this

29

i think she will die this year….im serious :[
Can you say new law needed says – reply to this

30

Pap dude, good for you.
Now take it a step further and get a lawmaker on it.
H
E
R
O
MDM says – reply to this

31

first?!?!?
NANSEE says – reply to this

32

FIRST!!!
Bry says – reply to this

33

first
dr. phil says – reply to this

34

FUCK SHES 1 WACK JOB
Andreax says – reply to this

35

In da first placesssss
Hemroid says – reply to this

36

Perez, go wax your testies you hairy sonna bitch.
lola says – reply to this

37

LOOK! EHHHH! DUHHHHHH!!!!

STUPID FUCKS! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU EXPECT? SHE IS SICK AND YOU ALL WANT TO FUCKIN MAKE MONEY OFF OF IT. I KNEW THIS FOR THREE YEARS + AND SO DID SO MANY OTHERS BUT YOU ALL JUST HOUNDED THE FUCK OUTTA HER! IDIOTS!
desiree says – reply to this

38

Its about time one of these assholes stepped up. They're helping to kill the poor girl.
Doug says – reply to this

39

Oh, and I just ran into Pink tonight in Atlanta. She was smoking so much weed in the kitchen of this trashy bar down the road that I love.
1st says – reply to this

40

1st
jamilla says – reply to this

41

1st
Chris says – reply to this

42

It's about time someone speak up about how out of control the media is that follows Brit around. The situation needs to be corrected, and quickly too! Hopefully she'll get the help she needs.
Wooot!! says – reply to this

43

Good On You Mate! Great decision! leave poor britney to recover and come back and wow her fans!
Ash says – reply to this

44

Hmmmm
hghkg says – reply to this

45

BOUT FREAKIN TIME… VERY BIG OF THIS GUY TO DO THIS!
Phenyx says – reply to this

46

Finally, a flash of ethics from among the vultures. Refreshing.
Luis says – reply to this

47

Hope she gets better!
Arriba Mexico
2nd says – reply to this

48

2nd
dr. phil says – reply to this

49

BOTTLED WATER IS NOT REGULATED..U COULD BE DRINKING WATER FROM THE TOILET AND YOU'D NEVER KNOW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JK says – reply to this

50

Hope Brit gets well!
dr. phil says – reply to this

51

BOTTLED WATER IS NOT REGULATED..U COULD BE DRINKING WATER FROM THE TOILET AND YOU'D NEVER KNOW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Julie Anne says – reply to this

52

Thankfully, someone with some sense!
dr. phil says – reply to this

53

BOTTLED WATER IS NOT REGULATED..U COULD BE DRINKING WATER FROM THE TOILET AND YOU'D NEVER KNOW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Martine says – reply to this

54

good. they are so mean
me says – reply to this

55

first
sarah says – reply to this

56

first
myword says – reply to this

57

I agree. Britney's spiral is a coming together of so many variables, a huge one of which is the Papparazzi. Thank God this man had the decency to speak up, I hope many more follow him.
KY in PDX says – reply to this

58

Good, finally some morals being shown!!
omg says – reply to this

59

for real?
Anonymous says – reply to this

60

Thats just too precious for words
Fuzzwekk says – reply to this

61

First post!
b says – reply to this

62

mmmmmmm crazyy brit!
but wow, good for this guy if only they would all follow suit.
ELLE says – reply to this

63

:(
ashiashh says – reply to this

64

Yiiiikessss.
SINISTER says – reply to this

65

THAT MUSLIM BITCH OSAMA LUFTI SHOULD BE ARRESTED AND DEPORTED TO A PIG FARM.
Lynne says – reply to this

66

I'd like to ask one of the photographers this question: When you were a young photographer, was it your dream to one day spend your days and nights following a troubled young girl around LA? Your parents must be so proud.
cc says – reply to this

67

Finally !! A pap with a sense os decency! It was going to be Princess Di all over again…good for you Mr. Stern!
~Islandgrl~ says – reply to this

68

They need to leave that poor girl alone…………they paporazzo are going to end up killing her !!!!!!! I hate Brit-Brit, but I also have what they are putting her thought….It's just NOT right!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Liz says – reply to this

69

Wow…. a paparazzo with a conscience thats new…
Jay says – reply to this

70

Wow this has been a very tragic story for Britney. She obviously is very ill, and when someone is ill mentally, they deserve treatment and respect. I mean, you wouldn't want to make fun of a mentally retarded child, right? I hope she gets well and the public should respect that.
Sad but true says – reply to this

71

Re: MEL – She has a mental illness…a serious one. It is sad.
johnny says – reply to this

72

great for him…if it wasnt for the constant paparazzi taking pics of britney …SHE WOULDNT BE ANYONE …they should leave her alone in order to get the help she needs!!! i am rooting for her but i cant say that i would be any better than she is with the craziness that surrounds her life!
kypre says – reply to this

73

good for him.

i wish others would follow suit, but somehow i doubt they will. at least, not until the law demands it, which it should. paparazzi have become such immoral parasites, that i really do believe most of them will stop at nothing to get that one shot of britney crying her eyes out. so sad. i would love to see these assholes get arrested and prosecuted when they step over the line, and they have been doing with her.
tired of it says – reply to this

74

I think they should all give her a break…we really don't care if we see her in her car anymore going to the grocery store or getting lost while driving…if that's news…what the heck is going on here…shouldn't we focus on something a little more worth while…like what brad pitt is doing for new orleans…or hey…my favorite…avril
Diane says – reply to this

75

i first want to say tht i love you perez!!!!
and i want to say that britney is amazing and i love her. i think if she gets herself together i think she can make a comeback. When we hear about her lashing out on paparazzi and "getting fat" which is a joke, i think its because of the paparazzi and peoples perseption of fat is hilarious. she looks amazing i dont care what people say. its horrible that she lost custody of her children but yelling at her, calling her names, saying shes going down isnt helping at all and she doesnt deserve it. it think it just drives her to do other things and shes just trying to live. ithink that society drives britney and these people really need to stop and stop putting her down shes just trying to live.
lulu says – reply to this

76

;
;
;
;
;
;
I wonder which one it was. The one she invited into the bathroom? The ones she partied with? Or was it the ones she drove around in her car?

Stupid bitch. Get a fucken clue.

SHE IS NOT A VICTIM!

;
;
;
;
;
;
Stephen says – reply to this

77

I hope Britney gets well. Even if she never does music again I hope she makes herself better. Both for her and her family.
All the best,
S
jessica says – reply to this

78

does anyone else think she looks like the guy from Korn…?
chantal says – reply to this

79

All I have to say is I hope she realize she has the power. I don't think she is Bi-polar. I think honestly she was trying to stand on her. She is worth so much money and who wouldn't be distrusting and who the hell wouldn't feel paranoid or on edge when you are followed every where. She can't step outside with out us calling her names or saying she's trying to get attention all because she went to starbucks or got gas? She is a distraction from our every day life. She makes event his blog more popular. I think any one of us would have a panic attack. She lives in a cage and all these "caring parents and managers and lawyers all make money off her. It's disgusting, disturbing that there trying to lock her up? Why so they can conserver her and control her money. Kevin used her, her mom lives like a queen and in a house Brit bought her. Her manager. Every mag and rag has a cover pic of her. I'd start suing and firing and getting restraining order. I think she is stronger then we give her credit and I hope and believe she will come out the winner and on top.
glad says – reply to this

80

good for him! I hope that more follow in his footsteps! that would probably be the best thing for her…so she doesn't feel like she has to put on a show for everyone and she can get better in peace!!
lulu says – reply to this

81

Re: jessica –

OMG. I thought I was the only one that thought that! Hilarious!
Tiffany says – reply to this

82

That sh*t is fucking ridiculous. If I was Britney's personal assistant or friend, I'd be all over people's asses dude. Seriously, give her a fucking break. Jesus.
what says – reply to this

83

Re: Elena – are you serious, she now needs to be a role model why cuz she is famous? I think we need to be the role model and stop buy and reading this crap
Riana says – reply to this

84

where is madonna? I bet britney will listen to her…
press_snapper says – reply to this

85

reply to #13 grd.
It not about being a humanitarian, it about having morals and being a good journalist. Journalist should be impartial observers. The story has shifted from Britney to the media madness. Not journalism by any stretch of the imagination. I guess a photographer with Sterns attitude and morals will gain respect and have no problem finding work with quality news organization. I doubt flipping burgers will be an option.

You have hit the nail on the head, most of these paps chasing Britney are completely untrained have no-idea about journalistic values and prepared to take unreasonable risks in order to get pictures.
press_snapper
Perez doesn't have the story says – reply to this

86

Yes the paps are disgusting but she had a hand in it calling them every single day to say where she was going so they could follow her. Furthermore, Britney is NOT mentally ill, she is a METH addict who chose drugs over her kids so there goes my sympathy. Read all about it on idontlikeyouinthatwaydotcom
PEREZ I SAY YOU SUCK says – reply to this

87

YOU KNOW WHAT IS FUNNY, OH THIS GUY NOW FEELS BAD, YEAH RIGHT GIVE ME A BREAK. LOOK AT THE PICTURE OF BRITNEY WITH THIS STORY "GET WELL" WHAT HAPPEN TO TRAINWRECK, CRAZY, AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU CALLED HER. WHAT DID YOU NOT BELIEVE SHE WAS SICK DID IT JUST SINK IN YOUR FAT HEAD. YOU THE SAD THING WHEN BRITNEY GETS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL ALL THE PAPS WILL BE THERE AND PEREZ WILL BE THE BIG FAT ONE WITH THE YELLOW SHIRT ON YELLING HER NAME LIKE HE DID BEFORE. YOU SICK BASTARDS NEED TO LEAVE HER THE HELL ALONE BEFORE SHE IS DEAD. IT BRIT WAS STANDING IN THE STREET AND YOU SEEN A CAR WAS ABOUT TO HIT HER WOULD YOU PUSH HER OUT OF THE WAY OR WOULD YOU SAY OH PHOTO OP. BURN IN HELL PEREZ FOR THE FUCKED UP SHIT YOU DO, YOU ARE A FLAMING FAG AND I HOPE SOMEONE CATCHS YOU ONE DAY WITH A DICK UP YOUR ASS AND POST IT ALL OVER THE WEB. JUST REMEMBER PUSSEZ BRIT MIGHT BE CRAZY RIGHT NOW AND SHE WILL GET BETTER BUT YOU, ARE UGLY AND YOU WILL BE UGLY FOREVER!!!!! TRYING TO KISS BRITS ASS NOW, YOU MAKE ME SICK MISS THANG WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU ANYWAY.
Jamie, kick your daughter's ass says – reply to this

88

Britney does not have a mental illness. She is a METH addict with histrionic personality disorder which means she is sociopathic. This is why she doesn't love her kids. She only had them for more attention as these people constantly need to be the center of attention. She doesn't need anyone's pity she needs her ass kicked….HARD.
Jan says – reply to this

89

I pray the court can appoint a JUDGE to represent Britney as it appears OSAMA needs to be out of the picture and her parents seem too uneducated to handle this. Britney verbally abuses her mother constantly and Lynne is just not capable of handling her.
press_snapper says – reply to this

90

Re: cc –
In answer to your question, my goals were to photograph real issues in the world, famine, war, poverty, injustice, like most 'real' press photographer (not paps). But as a photographer you very quickly realise that front page of LA times = $1000 front page of US Weekly $5000. I know amazing photographers who cant pay their rent. It all boils down to supplying what the market wants. Showbiz photography and reporting is a legitimate activity but as you can read in the Guardian piece it's the level of risk and disregard for everyones safety that must be the consideration.
dmoney says – reply to this

91

Good. They should all realize wtf they're doing to brit n quit! This is all giving me diareah
Perez missed the boat says – reply to this

92

Britney chose drugs over her kids. She's addicted to Meth and has been taking it non-stop since Saturday. The real story is at idontlikeyouinthatwaydotcom
Jan says – reply to this

93

What happened to the new tough sheriff that ordered the tickets to the paps that were speeding and driving recklessly. Why aren't they STILL giving tickets and arresting these drivers? A few more arrests and background checks should get a few off the streets. I think many are illegal aliens.
Naomi says – reply to this

94

The paps should FUCK OFF and get a life/job.
Lorraina says – reply to this

95

I hope she gets better. I feel sorry for her and dislike the people that surround her. They are jus using her!
flowerlady says – reply to this

96

hope she gets well soon
she needs help
and with all these chaotic mess around her and in her life as it is now will only make it worst on her
she needs to be left alone and get her medical attention she needs and with miracle she needs right now she will be back again as a better person, time will only tell…..she just needs a time out from all these influences for her own good. i miss the old britney the little dirty naughty school girl lol
kat says – reply to this

97

Good for him. Seriously. At least one of them realizes when enough is enough. And #13, shut up. If more paps would do this, it would be wonderful. They've gotten away with this kind of crap for far too long. It was time for one of them to step up and realize that it is not okay to stalk celebrities and drive like morons while pursuing them.
amy says – reply to this

98

i really hope she gets better before something happens.
turnittoeleven says – reply to this

99

Finally! A pap with some morals!
Jordan says – reply to this

100

How come the police are not doing anything about the reckless driving? It's all caught on tape.

I guess they are waiting until someone is killed. That's LA for you. Thank goodness I don't live in LA.