Dispatch from Britain: Susan Boyle's hospitalization spurs reflection, media speculation

This morning, London awoke to a shockingly sunny day along with the sadly unsurprising news that Susan Boyle, the world-famous YouTube sensation who on Saturday night placed second on the hit show "Britain’s Got Talent," had been hospitalized at London’s Priory Clinic for exhaustion. 

This news posits Boyle in disturbingly close ranks with the fragile starlets whose pop culture supremacy Boyle’s stunning initial performance on the talent show seemed to defy. The first news stories of the day neglected to remark on this, though by noon here the think pieces began rolling in.

The Guardian – which on Sunday published a post-show lament about how Twitter was to blame for Boyle’s problems and called for Britons to “shout a little less, and get out a little more” ­(Kinda harsh. It rains a lot here. Also, pub culture is nice.) – this morning published a roundup of the night’s events.

Early this morning, the Scotsman reported that Boyle’s neighbors in the town of Blackburn were devastated by the news. Later in the day, the family weighed in.

Most news stories on Boyle’s hospitalization reported how, on a morning chat show, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he hoped Boyle was OK because “she’s a really, really nice person.” Brown apparently put concerned calls in to judges Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan, the former Daily Mirror journalist who has become somewhat of a spokesman for Boyle. Morgan, in turn, told GMTV that he spoke with the contestant for half an hour Sunday. He also defended Simon Cowell, insisting that Cowell’s main stake in Boyle was caring rather than strictly mercenary. (On the show, the two judges appear to hate each other.)

Meanwhile, the third "Britain's Got Talent" judge, Amanda Holden, took to the American airwaves to share her Boyle scoop. She had announced previously that she'd be guest hosting CBS' "The Early Show" this Monday morning. She made the announcement on Twitter, of course.

-- Alison Pollet, reporting from Cambridge, England

(File photo of Susan Boyle courtesy HO/AFP/Getty Images)

Comments

[Pearl]

Public scrutiny is better known as a Harsh Light. Not everyone has the fortitude to hold up under it. All the best for Boyle in whatever she chooses for her future.

[Choire]

Yes, exactly! Well put.

And CUI BONO indeed, Guardian/Daily Mirror Tabloid Industrial Complex!

[Big Sam]

I thought only the entertainment press was predatory in the U.S.. Apparently, in the U.K. they are a exponentially worse.

[Jane Colby]

I hope she is able to overcome the bump that so many of our stars have encountered from the constant public attention. She has a beautiful clear voice, and I would hate for it to be silenced. Hopefully she will come to realize that for every critic there are many many more who admire her greatly.

[Kathleen]

I am a forever-fan of Susan Boyle. All the best for her. I'm sure she'll be fine. Why does the US media quote the UK tabloids which they don't republish the trash that the US tabloids put out? Susan, you're the best. Take care of yourself. You have millions of admirers and friends.

[Cathy Kent]

Susan Boyle really has talent, it is a complete mystery to me why Diversity won , they were good dancers but there was a pack of them so if any mistakes were made who could tell. Will the young
children in it be able to stay small enough to be flung around in the years to come, in other words how long can they last. Susan has a voice that will last for years , people will buy her albums and listen to her pure as crystal voice, can Diversity do this , no , they are just dancers and will come and go, grow up, marry leave etc.Why can't she still appear in the Royal Variety Performance, surely some aging ancient hackneyed British comedian could make way for her, over the years the Royal Variety has become the last outpost for fading British stars , watching it you become bored , switching over to cable TV with its myriad channels. Will Diversity improve the show, I don't think so, would Susan improve the show , yes definitely it would be watched internationally
and consequently all the acts would have to be better. Susan for the Royal Variety !!! Come on you Brits , recognize talent after all the Queen Mother was Scottish.

[Desiree]

I was so deeply saddened to hear of Miss Susan's hospitalization. I cried. She is a wonderful woman. Susan Boyle is not just a beautiful voice, but also a beautiful person inside and out. Have the nay sayers not heard that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?" I feel so sorry for people who see only with their eyes and not with their heart. I send up prayers for your speedy recovery everyday Miss Susan. My husband and I both miss your sweet angelique smile. You will always be a "SHINING STAR!" Remember Miss Susan; everything happens for a reason. Second place in this case, means you win the race! Keep the faith. God is on your side, which means you cannot be denied. You are going to come thru with flying colors.

Love Your friend from the USA,
DESIREE