At this point in the Taylor Swift game, it’s safe to say that the extent of any backlash directed toward her has stemmed only from her tendency to make every song she’s ever written about a breakup. Nothing was said when she laughably became the Tourism Ambassador of New York City or the fact that her parents were instrumental to the purchase of her career (her financial adviser father bought a three percent stake in Big Machine Records, the first label she was signed to).
So why would the media comment in anything other than a positive fashion as Swift continues to use the shtick of bringing on every musician (and now, fake musician) under the sun as her 1989 World Tour graces most cities with its presence? Yeah, it’s “fun” sometimes to bring another celebrity into the mix, but something about it smacks of an attempt at maintaining interest and generating headlines.
From singing “You Oughta Know” with Alanis Morissette to belting out “Mirrors” with Justin Timberlake, there is no end to the celebrity parade on Swift’s tour. The most absurd and nonsensical appearance thus far, however, has been Lisa Kudrow a.k.a. Phoebe Buffay singing “Smelly Cat” with her. Considering it’s unlikely that Swift was able to watch Friends while it was on in its prime (she was too young/too busy trying to get famous in Nashville), there is little significance to the cameo other than the fact that it’s prompted internet excitement.
While it’s clear that Swift is shrewd in her constant need to drag another artist on stage–it’s what keeps people interested in the tour–it would be nice if she, at this point in her storied career, was comfortable enough to go it alone for one show.
