Asked why the lyric was changed in the song "Diva's Lament," "Spamalot" author Eric Idle said Tuesday in an e-mail: "Because we don't laugh at sad people. Mike Nichols (the show's director) requested it and he's right. We changed the lyrics in London, on tour, on Broadway and in Las Vegas. We think that it's now too sad. Britney Spears is being tortured to death and we don't want to be on that side."
The changes went into the various companies last week.
What the Lady of the Lake (currently played on Broadway by Hannah Waddingham) once sang: "I am sick of my career Always stuck in second gear Up to here with frustration and with fears I've no Grammy no rewards I've no Tony Awards I'm constantly replaced by Britney Spears Britney Spears!"
It's been replaced by: "My love life is a mess I've got constant PMS My career is about as hot as ice They hate me there backstage They say I'm too old for my age They're trying to replace me with Posh Spice With Posh Spice!!"
