One thing to be said for incandescent light bulbs ...

[unixronin]

... is that I've never seen one do this.

Update:  I just talked to Sylvania.  In addition to replacing this lamp and the one other failed CFL we have (a 40W unit that flickers), they want to see this one for a failure analysis.  I rather expected they would, and I'm glad they didn't disappoint me.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/crossfire_/]

Good on Sylvania for both replacing the damaged items AND wanting to see the failed bulb for analysis.

We like the spectrum of the CFLs too.