Is there anything to be done with my sad, sad bromeliad?? :( 2or3 part ??

Question

The poor thing was looking swell. Beautiful flower emerging and I don't know if I over watererd or under-watered, but now it's just sad. The long center flower stalk is brown and dry. No pups ever came. The edges of some leaves are brown (with a hint of yellow at the base of the line). I've seem some answers about removing the center flower area, but not sure how best to handle this.
Here (finally!!) are my quetions:
If it should be removed -what is best way to clear out the center flower? Cut it off or pull the leaves out?
And...
Is there any hope for the poor thing? Will it at least try to bloom again or did I have one shot since no pups came??
Please and thank you!

Answer 1

Dump out the pot and take a good look at the roots. My guess is they've rotted from overwatering. Wash the roots under running water and repot in fresh, well drained soil in a pot with good drainage. Water carefully.

Answer 2

It's the life cycle of all bromeliads to produce a flower then begin to decline. Pups will form around the base of the mother plant. Give them time.

For aesthetic reasons cut the spent flower. Water in the funnel created by the leaves, that's the way they grow in the wild. They don't like wet feet, but do tolerate water in the funel.