“And this woman really knows how to die…”

OK, once again, in the "Jessica Simpson should not be pilloried" defense (and let me tell you, I really can’t believe I’m spending so much time defending her), let’s take a look at another "consummate professional": Placido Domingo.

Can we agree he is, arguably, one of the most experienced and talented performers of this or any age? And yet he was booed, no less, at the Met, for his insensitive conducting of La Boheme with special guest Anna Netrebko performing for one night only as Mimi.

"…Mr. Domingo trudged along inattentively at metronomic speed, running noticeably ahead of his diva. As a singer himself, Mr. Domingo should be especially sensitive to poetic and expressive license, but he certainly was deaf to it this night. Ms. Netrebko, however, refused to bend, continuing to fashion her complex and beautifully spun web of gold until Mr. Domingo finally seemed to awaken and allow his orchestra to follow her. By the end of the aria, it was clear the profound leadership was coming not from the pit but from the stage."

So, sorry. But if even Placido can mess up a canon such as La Boheme, then Jessica Simpson flubbing lyrics in an unusual high-pressure situation should be forgiveable.