20 Biggest Pop Culture Disappointments of 2012: Zap2it's Year in Review

(Fox)
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Britney Spears on 'The X Factor'

What we were expecting: A revelatory return of the Britney we fell in love with a decade ago, complete with sharp answers and adorable banter, or an epic crash-and-burn featuring a rivalry with Demi Lovato and several breaks from the show so she could treat her "exhaustion."

What we got instead: More of the same. Britney is neither spectacular nor dismal -- she's just a glazed-over, propped-up, micro-managed harried mom spouting the same canned criticism and praise week-to-week.

-- Carina Adly MacKenzie, Zap2it
Dec. 6, 2012