“Glee” Britney Spears Tribute Slammed By Parents Television Council

Britney Spears helped the cast of Glee trump The Beatles on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, but the pop tart isn’t winning the show any fans on the Parents Television Council.

The watchdog group that has protested every series from Shit My Dad Says to Gossip Girl is now turning its conservatism on the criticially-acclaimed musical-comedy, which it accuses of bestowing praise on a petulant pop queen who doesn’t deserve it.

Last week’s “Britney/Brittany” episode, featured Spears doppleganger Heather Morris and other Gleeks performing songs from the course of Britney’s 11-year career, as well as some short cameos from the singer herself.

The PTC rips the episode as one of the worst this week.

In a post on its website, the Parents Television Council criticised the “pandering tribute to toxic teen role model Britney Spears.” The group, also criticized the “skimpy outfits” featured in some of the performances, added that the episode amounted to an “endorsement of narcotics abuse, public masturbation, and school-sanctioned burlesque.”

“Perhaps most troubling is the deification of a troubled popstar into a symbol of empowerment and self-esteem. Considering her stints in rehab, her very public breakdowns and her questionable parenting skills, there is absolutely no way Spears should be considered a role model. The producers of the show can spare us the old song-and-dance about fallen celebs turning their lives around.”

Despite criticism, Glee’s Spears Tribute was a wild success for the Emmy-nominated series. The episode picked up the show’s highest ratings ever, with approximately 13.3 million American viewers tuning in to watch. Songs from the show have stampeded the charts, helping the Glee cast to surpass the Beatles’ chart record for the most appearances on the Billboard Hot 100 chart by a non-solo act.