Life & Style: Britney's Brave Battle with Mental Illness

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This is going to be a tough week for Life & Style.

Not to be Debbie the downer, but this cover is very depressing.

I can’t think of anybody that wants to read about Britney Spears’ battle with mental illness.

What else doesn’t work with this cover?

The dek doesn’t connect smoothly to the main cover line.

The line “Is it too soon for a comeback?” throws me off.  I would have left that line out and gone straight to the line about her breaking down while she left her kids for her career.  (But seriously, I would have not done this cover at all.)

On another note, who is talking about Britney Spears and her “mental illness” right now.  It’s not what anybody is talking about, so timing on this is bad.

On a positive note, EIC Dan Wakeford serves up a smart inset featuring Barack Obama and how he made his Grandma proud.  Like Us Weekly’s cover, this inset would work even if Barack lost the election.

Bottom Line: Forget about this week’s cover and start planning next week’s cover.

Related:

US: Barack Obama & Michelle Obama’s Amazing Journey

Globe Magazine: Paul Newman’s widdow collapses

National Enquirer: Angelina Jolie Apologizes to Jen Aniston

OK!: A baby brother for Suri Cruise

Life & Style: Britney Spears’ Battle with Mental Illness

In Touch: Angelina Jolie is Pregnant Again!

Star Magazine: Twins for Jen Aniston