My column on Britney Spears that ran Tuesday morning triggered quite a bit of reaction from readers Two things that surprised me: People really do feel bad about what’s happened to her and, second, people have a very difficult time spelling her name. I’m sharing some e-mails I got (without their names).

Feel free to add your own thoughts: I liked your Britney story. I have been unhealthily obsessed with her. Obsessed. I’m not proud, but that TMZ makes it too juicy. Thank you for your sensitive piece on Britney Spears–it increasingly seems that she is grappling with a mental illness, making her story more personal for the 1 in 5 Americans whose lives are affected by such things.

I look forward to the Star Tribune using her newsmaking escapades as teachable moments. Maybe somebody could interview a HCMC psychiatrist to learn what he/she would advise if your adult child were acting this way? Maybe an article on “steps to take if a loved one has a mental healthcrisis?”

Maybe something on early warning signs of mental illness? Thanks again for your humane treatment of what is looking less like a spectacle and more like a tragedy. Here’s hoping that Britney’s story leads to more people getting the help they need. You are finally someone with sense and truthful about her disease. It’s not funny it’s sad. I can’t understand why she isn’t getting help on a mandatory basis for potential harm to herself. I hope she gets help before it’s too late, and I hope I stop hearing it on our own radio stations as gossip.

Thank you for being bold, Thank you, thank you for today’s column. I was hoping someone somewhere would write what you did. I am beyond being annoyed with Jay Leno and his continuing Spears’ jokes. Mental illness and obesity are probably the last two character types people feel comfortable making fun of.

Maybe it is because people tend to joke about subjects they fear. I am a retired Minneapolis prosecutor who has seen more than enough mental illness in the courtroom, both defendants and crime victims. Oft times the presence of the mental illness is not recognized by the individual who has it, and thus does not receive effective treatment for it.

Several recent news stories here in the Twin Cities strongly suggest undiagnosed mental illness:

1. 19 year-old man pursued by police at speeds exceeding 100 mph, collided with parked police auto on I-494. Why was he speeding so late at night when the trooper first saw him?

2. Maplewood man who left his child in minivan outside Wisconsin strip club when he told wife he was going to grocery store. Days later he admitted to having trouble with alcohol and had relapsed in its abuse. That is likely only a small part of the story. What are the underlying reasons he first started to abuse alcohol?

3. The college students who drink themselves to death. This is much more than binge drinking. Most binge drinkers are in the library the next morning, studying. Yet, a sad few are still partying and drinking still the next morning. Add? ADHD? Bipolar disease?

Some of the questions that immediately come to mind. These stories are probably beyond your news beat. Please forward these ideas to an editor or to a journalist willing to dig and tell us the underlying story. K

Keep sharing your craft with us! Rather than hound the crisis-bound performer, the media could use her story to educate others on mental illness. Again, thank you so much for your compassionate column today. It is obvious that Ms. Spears’s mental health is not good and her hospitalization -involuntary - simply supports the view that she most likely has a mental illness. I cannot imagine that the hounding is at helpful to her on her road to recovery. When Owen Wilson attempted suicide, the media left him alone and gave him time to heal. At the very least this opportunity should be given to Brittany. The subtitle of your article in this morning’s paper captures it all. Britney Spears is the bleeding body in a river of piranha. It’s hard to believe that her saga will have a happy outcome: Where can she go that she’d be safe and properly cared for? I hope your article is distributed widely and, better yet, heeded. Thank you for the piece regarding Britany Spears in this morning’s paper. I have been increasingly sickened by the coverage of her unfolding crisis. One angle of coverage that could be a public service, in addition to educating about mental illness and addiction, is to consider what happens to children (especially babies and toddlers) when a parent is mentally ill, addicted. The system seems to have operated reasonably well for her children - it’s not always the case. Thanks again. I hope (and assume) you are sincere in your concern for Britney Spears. The fact that you find it necessary to mention her “terrible” parenting and lack of what you consider talent does sound a bit political, as in talking out of both sides of your mouth, but the suggestion that we lose our obsession for her and others in similar situations, and that we say a prayer for her, gives me hope that your sincerity is perhaps intact after all, and I want to think that is the case. I will never say I have not been guilty of criticizing her or others such as Paris Hilton and the “gang”, but I agree it is time to stop. It also may be time for the bigger lesson of laying off the REST of the celebrities, and in making confused children such as her and her younger sister into “role models”, then slamming them when they “let us down”. Perhaps it does make some of us feel better about ourselves to see famous folks “screwing it up”, but that makes it all the more tragic, doesn’t it? Maybe we just all need to pray more, not just for Britney, but for ourselves. Take care.Very timely article (and I agree with you on all points) — this renews my very wavering faith the American journalistic system (one that I feel the tabloids have utterly abused). Thanks again. I’m not a celeb follower, but I feel genuinely bad for Britney. It’s a sad statement on society. I can’t agree with you more, I get the impression that we’re all standing around watching her death throws but unwilling to do anything. If this ends in tragedy, we will have to look at our collective selves in the mirror and be ashamed that we did not pull together to save this girl from the wolves that are the Hollywood element. We should be stepping up to save one of our own, and I mean that in the human being sense. The only thing she knows is that everybody wants a piece, even the people who seemingly want to help her (Dr. Phil). She needs to leave Hollywood and go somewhere private to get her life together. However, I get the impression she thinks she can beat the critics by being rebellious. Her actions have young woman rebellion written all over, however, the circumstances are extreme. Anyways, It’s nice to see you stepped up and said something. I hope this trend continues and average people embrace her as one of their own and circle the wagons. I just read your article about Britney Spears, published in the StarTribune. If the public would stop pestering Britney, let her alone for a while, let her get the help she so desperately needs, she might just survive this. If not, I see her meeting a tragic demise. Those little boys will never know what kind of mom they had. She’s been driven to this, between the paparazzi and the fame. I don’t know how anyone can deal with the constant camera flashes, the people hounding them for a word, a look. I am so glad I’m just a “nobody”, living in my little house, way out in the toolies. You have hit the cord. She is definetly has a mental disorder which must be treated. How? I don’t know but your article will alert people as to her problem and seek to help the young girl. Great column. I’m 62, and don’t really understand a lot of the pop culture stuff. But, you are right. This is way more than the typical who’s sleeping with who, who got arrested for DWI, who’s wearing underwear drivel. Hopefully, your industry colleagues (and your readers) will treat this as serious business. Where is her help? Where is her support? Thanks.Thank you for the words you shared in your article. Please be assured that for those of us who are aware of the pain associated with mental illness , there are many prayers going out for Britney Spears already. I hope readers will take to heart what you have said. Thanks for using journalism in such a good way.As the parent of a 33 year old man with schizophrenia, I’d like to thank you for your very accurate article aboaut Britney Spears in this morning’s paper. This is certainly someone spiraling out of control and it is tragic that she is not receiving the help she so badly needs. Thank you again for stressing the mental health aspect of her situation. Perhaps this will open a much needed dialogue about mental illness. Hello - I’d virtually just read your article about Britney Spears, reading that her obituary has already been written “just in case.” Moments later I saw Heath Ledger, age 26, had died. Last night I watched “My Own Private Idaho” for thi first time( most deceptively written story synopsis in recorded history, except the” Hotel New Hampshire’s billing as a warm family comedy”) and was realizing that River Phoenix died of overdoses so young..and 24 hours later, another is dead. Neal, I don’t think I have a point. Britney looks like she will be the “next Anna Nicole Smith.”, is such a tragic and public manner. One image from Spears’ being removed from her home and put into the ambulance was that of vampire photogs holding cameras and video cams up to the window of the ambulance as it was starting to drive away. That goes beyond the bounds of any decency, and one would hope (and be wrong, obviously) well beyond the public need to know and the photog’s paycheck. As with Princess Diana’s being hunted to death, Spears’ life may end this way, too. Thanks for listening. I am a big fan of your writing and I almost always agree with you (except for Greys Anatomy - what is that all about?). I also figure that you must have good taste because I have seen you at a couple of concerts over the years (Josh Ritter, Joe Henry). Great article today on Britney. I was someone who found her ‘antics’ funny at first, but as she has gone off the deep end I have gained a lot of sympathy for her, and I really wish someone would just help that girl - someone other than Dr Phil. Who would have thought that we would be talking about K-Fed as the responsible parent. As a parent, I feel for her kids - I really do. I hope someone steps up to help them. Don’t even get me started on the mother - and to think, she was going to write a book about parenting - what a joke. In other sad news - which I have yet to see on your website - Heath Ledger was found dead today in an apparent suicide. We like to think that these young folks with lots of money have it all - but it is obvious that they don’t. Too bad. Anyway - keep up the great work! I always enjoy reading your articles.I very much agreed with your article today, and what timing (yes, I know, unplanned) to have it appear the day Heath Ledger died “surrounded by pills.”I have just completed reading your article about Britney Spears and I must say I am so happy to see someone in the media finally seeing that this girl is going through hell and all we are doing is pointing and laughing. I hope to see more articles like this but I fear that US Weekly and People just don’t give a damn.

I fell out of love with AMC a few years back when they started running commercials in the middle of their films and began considering such fare as “Fletch Lives” as a “classic.” But I’m head over heels all over again, thanks to a one-two punch in their original programming department. First, there was “Mad Men.” I’ll  admit I’m not as goo goo ga ga about it as others and I certainly wouldn’t have graced it with a Golden Globe for best drama. But, gosh darn it, it such is purty. And it’s got style. I feel cooler just watching it.

Now there’s “Breaking Bad.” I’ve got a full review in Sunday’s A&E section. I’ll tell you right here that it’s the best drama pilot I’ve seen since “Damages” got started - and you know how good that turned out. I’ve got high hopes for it.

AMC still isn’t HBO’s class - but then neither is HBO. It may still be the premier destination for great TV, but Showtime and FX are catching up fast. Is anyone else keeping up with them? USA is too hit and miss. Thoughts? I’m especially interested to know if you love “Breaking Bad” as much as I do…

The Hollywood writers’ strike has had ramifications in film, TV, music and awards shows. It may also have effected the presidential race.

I’m convinced that the results in New Hampshire, especially the “upset” win for Hillary Clinton, showed that voters are not ready for this election to be over. It’s too early, too important and - dare I say it? - too much fun. As high drama goes, this is heck of a lot more interesting than “The Biggest Loser.”

As for those who believe Hillary Clinton staged those tears…I just don’t buy it. She’s not nearly the actor her husband is. Knowing a little about the candidates’ schedules, it’s not hard for me to believe that someone with that much pressure and that much exposure would get choked up. As for its ramifications on the turnout for her: I still think it had more to do with people not ready to anoint Obama yet rather than falling in love with Miss Vulnerability.

The thing that puzzles me about all the coverage is that I think a lot of the media is missing the point. My curiousity isn’t in the answer. It’s in the question. The woman who triggered Clinton’s response asked: “How do you get out of the door everyday?…Who does your hair?…How do you keep upbeat and so wonderful?”

Think for a minute: Would a MALE candidate ever get that kind of softball question?

Golden Globe “action” Sunday night - and I use the word “action” liberally. This annual awards show is pretty silly in one sense, since the winners are decided by 100 foreign journalists, most of which don’t work for highly respected newspapers. But the event itself has always been a hoot, primarily because all the celebs are liquored up. Jack Nicholson is even funnier with a few belts in him.

This year, of course, there was no party, just entertainment journalists doing the honors, reading off teleprompters and giving their thoughts on the winners and loser. Love ya, Nancy O’Dell, but don’t really care that you were rooting for “30 Rock.”

The biggest loser of the night had to be Matt Lauer. I know the “Today” show anchors have to take some rough assignments, but hosting a two-hour “Dateline” special on the Golden Globes Sunday night had to feel lower than a decade worth of parade coverage. I’m still shocked by Meredith Vieira’s choice to kiss Mayor Bloomberg on the cheek a couple weeks ago when he appeared on the show. These two need to reevaluate their roles in the journalism world.

From a TV standpoint, it was a huge night for cable. Of the 11 major categories, only one network person was a winner, and that was Tina Fey for her acting. I love “30 Rock” and Fey, but is she really the finest thespian on TV? Hmmmmm….

David Duchovny for “Californication” was probably the biggest TV surprise of the night, with the possible exception of Billy Bush’s hair…

This week’s Sunday column is on a new eye-popping children’s show called “Animalia,” based on the best-selling picture book and serves as a reminder that children’s television can be a great genre of TV. Unfortunately, it doesn’t often live up to its potential.

That’s particularly true for young people who grew up in in the past couple decades. A few years ago, I was guest speaking at a college campus when one of the students asked me what I thought about the demise of great children’s programming. It triggered a long response from me about how said it was that noone today was creating a new “Sesame Street” and a new “Bugs Bunny.”

“That’s not what I meant,” the would-be brilliant student said. “I mean REAL classics, like ‘Transformers.’

 Ah, youth.

I suppose children of the 80s and 90s can make decent arguments for the strength of more current shows (but not Transformers) but I would challenge any of them to compete with “Sesame Street,” which is still going strong today (with the exception of Elmo. I know Grover. Grover is a friend of mine. Elmo, you’re no Grover).

“SS” is so good, and so important, I often cite it as one of top three shows of all time (”Hill Street Blues” and “Taxi” make up my trifecta, although there are days that I would knock “Taxi” aside to make room for the BBC’s version of “The Office.”)

Other shows that stick out: “3-2-1 Contact,” “HR Pufnstuf” and “Electric Company.” As for more current fare, “SpongeBob” is a treat, although I’m not sure it teaches kids a darn thing.

Your thoughts? 

My column on Iowa Caucus coverage triggered a lot of phone calls and e-mails, in large part because it’s early in the season and the pundits haven’t all weighed in yet. This was really the first big test at how the major players would be covering the race. The biggest complaint: How come I didn’t give notice to MSNBC? The short answer: I ain’t Superman. On a night where copy was due by 10 p.m., there simply wasn’t time to monitor every single broadcast and weigh them all fairly. We also slighted C-Span, NPR and Nick at Nite. What I have done is include some thoughts below from e-mails I got. Feel free to weigh in here: I watched MSNBC and thought they might be worth commenting on given that Tom Brokow (sp) and Tim Russert were there….and then there was Chris Mathews (sp) (we affectionately call him “slobber mouth”) who had great insights but would trend off into his anti-Hillary rant on occasion… Barbara Apparently you didn’t watch MSNBC throughout the day and evening. ..far better than Fox and CNN, the anchor team of Tim Russert, Chris Matthews, Brian Williams, Keith Olbermann, Andrea Mitchell, and crew did a great job covering the caucus. I watched Fox and found their usual lovefest-gabfest nauseating…and although CNN did a credible job, their graphics of pie charts and cardboard did not do their broadcast any justice. regards, Joe Neal, thank you for responding so quickly. Actually I was unable to watch the Iowa Caucus (or most of it because of a previous commitment). But it is my cable news network of choice simply because of Keith Olbermann who is head and shoulders above the guys on the other channels even though he is cockly and I often disagree with him. He is just more talented than the others. Can’t stand Fox for obvious reasons. How anyone can watch a network that is simply an organ of the administration is beyond me. And I would be saying the same thing about a network that mirrored a Democratic administration if they were in power.Enjoy your writing, I only wish there were more of it. Pat Hi..don’t mean to be on your case but..what I liked about MSNBC’s coverage is that it was nonstop coverage with their top commentators such as Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman, Pat Buchanan and others plus field reporters such as David Shuster, Andrea Mitchell, David Gregory (from an actual caucus site), plus expert panelists, and also Bryan Williams, Tim Russert, and Tom Brokaw.If I was only to watch CNN and Fox, I would probably have found it boring as well. I would take MSNBC over Fox any day. Tom I would agree that the CNN coverage of the Iowa Caucuses was not veryinteresting. What was interesting was C-Span’s coverage of one of the Democratic Caucuses in Des Moines. The other C-Span channel covered oneof the Republican gatherings, but the Democratic one was livelier withpeople gathering in groups for their favored candidate. After watchingit I feel motivated to attend my local caucus this year. Pat