Jive is counting on the notion that Spears is still a hitmaker. And considering the overwhelming amount of publicity she receives for her every move, that notion may still be viable. As another source told Friedman, "She's just a hit away from being back. Why drop her now? If you think back to her last record, everyone said she was finished then. The word was that Pink would have the hit album, and that Britney was over. In the U.S., at least, that didn't happen. It was the reverse. Britney had a monster album."

All Britney needs is a polished new look and some friends in high places. If it worked for Courtney Love in the '90s, it can work for Britney in the '00s. Let's just hope Britney doesn't have a Courtney-sized downfall in the '10s.