It’s been a while since Britney Spears has heard any good newsclose to four years, I believebut this week she finally got some. The producers of Spamalot have decided to stop making fun of America’s most famous trainwreck and are changing the lyrics to one of the show’s songs. Eric Idle sent out an email explaining the reasons for the change:

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.

Very laudable, of course. Although, since in the song in question the Lady of the Lake complains that she’s “constantly replaced by Britney Spears,” you don’t have to be completely cynical to notice that the line is hopelessly dated. Britney hasn’t replaced anybody for a long, long time. In fact, compared to Britney Jessica Simpson is looking like a blazingly successful pop phenomenon. Now the line says, “They’re trying to replace me with Posh Spice,” which really doesn’t add much funny or pop culture hipness to the number. Personally, I would have gone with Rachael Ray or Heidi Montag. Miley Cyrus would also work, if the show’s still playing in 2012.