Possibly more than anyone on Earth, Britney Spears' life is constantly documented by the media, which voraciously reports on the singer's every step and misstep. But what's it like to be in her shoes?

With her new album, Circus, set for release in just a few weeks, the singer is ready to show the world her side of the story.

Britney has joined forces with MTV for a 90-minute documentary about her return to the pop-music spotlight. Tentatively titled "For the Record," the special is set to air on November 30 at 10 p.m. on MTV, two days before Circus is released on December 2 (the singer's 27th birthday).

"So much has gone on over the last couple of years and there's a lot that people don't know about me that I want them to know," Spears told MTV News in a statement about the special. "I wanted to make this film because I started to feel like I wasn't being seen in the light that I wanted to be seen in. This is an opportunity to set the record straight and talk about what I've been through and where I'm headed."

The documentary combines personal stories with behind-the-scenes footage of her comeback. Cameras follow her to the recording studio, to rehearsals, to press tours, to the video shoot for her latest single, "Womanizer," and even to her hometown in Louisiana. Backstage footage from her recent triumphant appearance at the Video Music Awards is also featured.

Through it all, we hear Britney talking about the hardships that led up to this comeback. "I've been through a lot, and there's a lot people don't know," she says in the film. "Sometimes it can get lonely 'cause you don't open the gate. I'm stuck in this place, and I just cope every day."

Britney also owns up to the mistakes the world has watched her make, and offers some telling insight into how she feels about it all now. "I sit there and I look back," she says, before asking rhetorically: "I'm a smart person, what the hell was I thinking?"

"For the Record" airs Sunday, November 30 at 10 p.m. ET on MTV.

Good job, Brit! Tell em!

Someone has their ducks in a row this time. As I remember it, Britney's only promotion for "Blackout" was a short phone call to Ryan Seacreast while she had a bunch of people at the house. She seemed really out of it. I would like to see this. I wonder what they'll say about the "Blackout" album. Fans love it, so it's kind of hard to ignore what happened (and didn't happen) with it.

VinnyM27 said:

I was at a party where the host had some CDJ turntables, and I broke out Britney's My Prerogative Greatest Hits compilation to see what dude would choose off of it.

He goes... "this doesn't have Piece Of Me on it!"

Cinnie said:

Wow. Guess that album is bigger than I and most others thought.

VinnyM27 said:

Considering the crap that was going on with her and around her, that album did very well. Bottom line is that she is not going to sell what she used to, her big sales days are over because back then parents were buying it for their kids, now she is too old for that. But she is on a roll, where the likes of other Female icons are on a roll of not so good albums, Britney is on a roll with "in the zone" and "Blackout" and if what im hearing is true "circu" will be some of her best stuff.

Check out the thread I made showing pictures from her album photoshoot!

lastdecember said:

I never thought much of "In The Zone" as a whole (it has some strong tracks including her co-written"Everytime") was and surprised by the praise for it. I think "Britney"is a much stronger album.

VinnyM27 said:

I liked the "Britney" album too, it was her moving away from the teen pop thing, kind if her growing up record. Most teen stars dont stick around 10 years like she has at this point. But the strange thing is that, most people trashed that whole teen generation, and yet are all still around.

lastdecember said:

I guess you're right. I mean, Nsync isn't around but Justin is. Backstreet Boys are still trying, maybe a bit too hard with diminished returns. Christina is doing really good. Pretty interesting.

VinnyM27 said:

Christina's not doing that well. She had her peak with Stripped but she's never had a big hit since then. Her latest greatest hits and new single are doing quite bad actually.

purplesweat said:

Her new single is Top 10 on the Hot 100 and the greatest hits album hasn't been released - what ARE you talking about?

Let's also not forget about Ain't No Other Man (Hot 100 peak: #6).
[Edited 10/11/08 20:05pm]

VoicesCarry said:

I didn't quite get that, either. Christina is definately up there and doing well. Britney didn't get a top ten when she released a hits package.