"Somewhere Else Over The Ranbow..."

We’re pretty hard up for heroes.

And you’d think that, with the sacrifices that our loved ones are making around the world, heroes would be a bumper crop.

Apparently not.

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Amy Winehouse's first full UK show in seven months has been overshadowed by an incident in which she appeared to throw a punch at a fan in the front row.

The incident occurred during the troubled singer's performance Saturday at the Glastonbury Festival in front of around 80,000 people.

Stepping down into the pit between the outdoor stage and the audience during a rendition of "Rehab," Winehouse seemed to lash out at a member of the crowd before being gently escorted back to the stage by security staff. It was unclear what provoked the altercation.

Winehouse's appearance at the legendary festival had appeared doubtful since she was hospitalized after collapsing at her London home earlier this month.

In newspaper interviews published last weekend, Mitch Winehouse, the singer's father, said his daughter had damaged her lungs and developed early-stage emphysema as a consequence of allegedly smoking crack cocaine and cigarettes.

But the 24-year-old returned to the stage Friday by performing alongside other stars at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration concert in London.

"You don't even know how happy I am to be here tonight," Winehouse told Glastonbury. She also paid tribute to her jailed husband Blake Fielder-Civil, prompting jeers from some in the crowd.

The obvious question that comes screaming out here is why we indulge, even worship, people like Winehouse who, while talented, are squandering their gifts and are obviously just one more overdose away from becoming Breaking News.

Flip side of the coin, maybe?

Yin and yang?

Good and dark side of the force?

Or just the same old shit.

Marilyn Monroe.
Judy Garland.
Britney Spears.

Your guess is as good as mine.

I liked the song “Rehab”.

Catchy. A hit.

Other than that, not a big Winehouse fan.

First, it hasn’t escaped my notice that you never see her and “Janice” from “Friends” together.

Oh, myyy gawwwwwwwd.

Coincidence?

Hmmm.

And second, I don’t think you have to be a certain age to realize that when it comes to heroes, we can do better.

To be fair, though, I’ll say this.

If Amy decides to strap on a flak jacket and patrol the streets of Baghdad, I’ll be the first guy to sign up in support of her struggles with drugs.

Until then, I stand by my original thought.

We’re pretty hard up for heroes.