In case you didn't hear, it came to light today that ABC's Good Morning America has invited convicted felon woman-beater Chris Brown to come on the show to "redeem himself" and perform next week. This, just a few days after the show's knee-jerk dumping of openly gay singer Adam Lambert following his performance on the American Music Awards this past Sunday night on the same network.
Much has been made of the decision. A spokesperson for GMA responded by saying the show wanted to give Brown a chance to come on to "redeem himself" following his felony conviction for beating Rihanna to a bloody, swollen mess at a Grammy party earlier this year. The spokesperson said GMA didn't dump Adam because of his performance on the AMA's the night before per se, but because he "proved himself to be unpredictable on live television."
GMA insists Chris Brown was booked long before the Adam Lambert brouhaha. But how does that really justify GMA's decision to go forward with the booking? Is it because they are certain Brown will not slam Diane Sawyer's face into a wall on the air? And as far as Brown "redeeming" himself, in the spirit of fairness, shouldn't Adam have been given the same opportunity, if that's what had them so upset with him?
CBS snapped up Adam after GMA's abrupt de-booking, and the singer performed live (without controversy) on The Early Show Wednesday morning, and taped David Letterman's show later that afternoon (also without controversy). But the network's promotional videos for Adam's appearances on the two shows featured Adam in the now-infamous same-sex lip lock, which was blurred out; however the promos also featured the Madonna-Britney Spears lip lock at the 2003 MTV VMA's, which was not blurred out. That prompted outraged calls of "double standard" from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), bloggers, and print journalists.
Adam on "The Early Show" (Photo: CBS)
A piece by Dave Itzkoff in the New York Times laid out all the sordid details:
Jarrett Barrios of GLAAD said that CBS had been unfair in its treatment of gay performers. "I would have hoped CBS would provide the same treatment for images of gay and lesbian people and not create an unfair double standard that treats our community differently." he said. "CBS regularly shows kisses throughout its daytime programming. The [AMA] kiss was not blurred on ABC nor in news coverage on other networks.”
Jeremy Kinser of The Advocate said CBS's decision to blur one kiss but not the other “makes them look kind of silly. That’s what’s so ironic. They decided to put him on after Good Morning America canceled him, and they seem really hypocritical to blur the moment that has everybody talking.”
But here's the best part - Itzkoff says a representative for CBS told the pop culture show Extra:
.... the image of Madonna kissing Ms. Spears is very familiar and has appeared countless times, including many times on morning television. The Adam Lambert image is a subject of great current controversy, has not been nearly as widely disseminated, and for all we know, may still lead to legal consequences.”
That statement, my friends, is why America needs Adam Lambert.
The Madonna-Britney moment was a "subject of great controversy" 6 years ago. Now, it's just another part of pop culture. When most people saw it for the first time, they were shocked, aghast, turned off, or turned on. After it ran several times through the news cycles, the effect wore off. The idea had sunken in, everyone's brain had learned something new, and seeing it again and again barely registered any response at all, if any. This is a phenomenon that neurolobiologists call habituation. It's like when you try on a new perfume - you're distinctly aware of it for a minute or two, but after that, not so much. But you still like the perfume and want to wear it again and again.
Enter Adam. Female performers pushing sexual boundaries like him have been hip to habituation for years now. Madonna was a hard pill to swallow at first, but she MADE us want to see more of her. She is the biggest star to use it to her advantage, always pushing the envelope a little further with every video and TV performance, weaving herself further into the fabric of pop culture each time. In fact, she changed pop culture (and societal norms) in the process. Madonna may have pushed a bit too much and probably wishes something she did these days would get blurred on network TV!
The point here is that America deserves a chance to become accustomed to the real post-American Idol Adam, kissing, crotch-grabbing, and all. He intentionally pulled out all the stops on the AMA's. Look at us all still talking about the "fallout" nearly a week later. That performance will make an annual appearance on one of those VH1 "100 Greatest/Most Shocking Moments" shows for years to come.
But it was only a start. Mainstream America should give Adam Lambert a chance. Aside from the sexual stuff, he's very lovable, charming, and humble. And he got his fans to donate $200K to public schools this past summer. Aren't those virtuous American values?
Most importantly, he has more talent in his black-lacquered pinky finger than most singers in the U.S. today. He proved it on AI and the obligatory summer tour. We've got something special on our hands. Let's not f---k this up. Don't allow the unwritten American "Don't Show, Do Tell" policy sidetrack Adam just because he happens to be gay. When you think about it, that American Idol albatross on Adam's shoulders must have been getting pretty heavy. It's no wonder he was ready to let all that pent-up sexual energy loose.
But the AMA antics were just part of the "getting to know you" phase. This is the beginning of a long career for a uniquely American artist who deserves more respect than a convicted felon woman-beater.
[And hey, Adam, if the mainstream America thing doesn't work out for now, there's always HBO and worldwide concert tours, which is where the real money is these days anyway].
Here's his first video, For Your Entertainment:
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Comments
I thought it was rotten of Good Morning America to do what they did to Adam Lambert. He had been booked to be on there a long time ago, and it was not right for them to cancel him at the last minute. He had performed on Good Morning America twice be for and was very appropriate. He always gave very low key performances on there. I will never watch that show again unless Adam is on there.
Adam is gay. He should not be on Good Morning America. I let my kids watch the show. I applaud GMA for their actions. At least they have standards unlike the other government run media outlets.
amontalb068 - Good luck trying to keep your kids from ever seeing a gay person on TV - that is completely ridiculous.
"amontalb068 says:
Adam is gay. He should not be on Good Morning America. I let my kids watch the show. I applaud GMA for their actions. At least they have standards unlike the other government run media outlets."
Thanks for proving the entire point of the article and Adam's statement of discrimination.
Great article, the actions of ABC and CBS both show how far we still have to go for people to be accepted...I'm so disgusted with all the homophobes and ignorant people that are surfacing over this whole thing...ugh.
Great Article! I love Adam's CD and I can't stop listening to all the songs! Very talented young man.
Adam Lambert is a TRASH!! A shame for the gay community. His interest is nothing but scandals. Why does being gay have to do with sex on stage? What else can he show? He put his middle finger to public, called someone 'dick' in public... He is a male gay whore. Trust me. He will sell nothing but full of himself with arrogance and big ego.
Definitely hypocrisy to have a convicted felon like Chris Brown who actually physically beat a female on GMA, but not Adam Lambert who kissed a man on the AMAs. Shame on your double standards ABC.
john, you underestimate Adam's talent and fan base. His first week sales has exceeded expectations and is already a lock for 225K units and it may go higher because of Black Friday. That is almost 3 times the Idol winner's figure of 80K. His true fans, who have seen him in interviews or in person as very charming, articulate, intelligent, and caring, won't desert him over one performance.
Thank you for the great article!
Adam is talented artist and intelligent man.
His new album is a masterpiece!!!
I watched the AMA's. I thought Adam Lambert's performance was the best interpretation of a song I have ever seen. He is so talented in bringing a lyric to life. He did it so beautifully people are questioning morality and limitations which is exactly what the song is about. He is a genius. The world is beginning to recognize Adam for his unique talent. I don't think anyone will succeed in labeling him or his performance because he will be forever evolving and changing with each song and performance.
I love Adam but hated that performance, mainly cuz it was poorly done and forced and he is so much better than that. But the resulting national outcry is ridiculous and overblown and does expose a double standard. There are same sex kisses on TV all the time now but by straight actors so its like well its ok, its not real they are not enjoying it its ACTING but if its a gay guy well then that might make it REAL and thus sexual and so taboo. The hype over this is just too much, its not like he did anything so horrible as sleeping with little boys (oh wait that's MJ and we LOVE him now)
Every point you make in the article is right on! Bravo!
Thank you to Adam for being himself! BRAVO, ADAM! You have enough talent and courage to change the world, even if all you want is just to entertain.
What a wonderful article!! I love Adam so much and, although I as not fond of the AMA performance, I realize that he is more than that performance! Look at the CBS performance, all his Idol performances, even the Youtube videos of previous songs....he is so ecclectic, such a wonderful personality and talented beyond anyone I have seen of late. It will be sad if America cannot accept him and get over the AMA thing. People need to realize that no matter how "offended" they were by the AMA performance, there were many who loved it and therefore no one has the right to censor it based on only a group of opinions! If ou didnt like it, fine, either get over and and move on to the next performance and understand Adam is not one dimensional or just dont watch/listen to him at all!!!
Exactly....most accurate assessment of what went down..Hats off to the the writer, I thought Adams performance fit the song..his Video is great. He is extremely talented...I have purchased all of his music so far...and will continue to do so...
ADAM LAMBERT IS GOOD FOR AMERICA -
ADAM LAMBERT IS GOOD FOR ME!!
FYE CD IS EPIC!!
Great article!!! I am disappointed by GMA show for canceling Adam at last minute. In fact, ABC is making it a bigger deal by canceling him. I love his album and his video!!!
What ABC's GMA did was wrong on so many levels. GMA made their announcement public before they even let Adam know. They never asked him if he intended on doing the same performance. They never gave him credit for the fact that he knows the difference between 11:00pm and 6:00am. Still Adam has taken the high road and has said he understands their decision. I don't understand of course. It still amazes me that violence is exceptable
Thank you for a wonderful article. Adam Lambert is a fabulous artist and a very articulate, intriging person. Hopefully we will be seeing Adam for many years to come, not only to see what he comes up with but to hear his beautiful voice.
I think GMA (and ABC) did the right thing in not having Adam Lambert appear on their show. Adam Lambert's story has changed so many times since that failure of a performance. He's ridiculous and certainly one of the furthest things from being "Good for America". Even the other night, he and his mother got their thrills from being p**d on at a Tranny Bar in NYC. It was all over Twitter by someone that was there.
ultragrrrl: Omg! @adamlambert just got p**d on at the Box. He threw a drink on the dude in return. It was performance art.
ultragrrrl: I went to The Box... A tranny that was performing p**d on the front row... Glambert was sitting in front row. He threw drink. Was hilarious.
ultragrrrl: Re the p**ing... it was f***ing hilarious. Everyone was laughing. @adamlambert included.
Real nice guy! All in the name of Freedom of Expression'. I for one don't need to see that expression and obviously GMA doesn't either. Go GMA!!
Lots of double-standards there. If Chris is allowed to perform on GMA I will be seriously pi$$ed. Violence is a million times worse than sex. After Rhianna had her first interview about the beating, Chris responded with "She should have kept it out of public eye". Is this the type of man you want on GMA?
Buy Adam's album, it is great!!!!
Amazing article. Thank you.
Overall I am pleased with the comments here but found one or two haters spewing vile in their comments. Why are they taking their time to comment here anyway. If they are anti-gay? Just another troll trying to bash Adam out of jealousy. I want to thank Kevin for this article. I too saw the AMA's and until Adam's performance I was bored. When Adam did his performance I was pleasantly surprized but not shocked at all. I didn't understand what his intention was until recently.
Adam Lambert is good for America!!! His music is brilliant. The album is incredible. After all it's all about the music.
Thanks Kelvin for writing this, exactly what my feelings are. Adam is good for America!
I wanted to finish my comments. Adam's album is incredible and will be setting a whole new standard in music. It can't be put in any one box. There is something for everyone. I happened to adore every song on the CD and if you buy the collector's edition you get three songs that are unique and amazing. Listen to "Down the Rabbit Hole." OMG what a fun song. Each of Adam's songs have a message and the album tells a story which few albums do today. Buy it and you will discover a whole new music world.
Sorry but your so closed minded its sickening! Go post on an anti-Adam article and leave his fans and him alone! Just because he enjoyed a show like that does not make him a bad person....guess what honey, there are tons of people with better moral compasses involved in things like that, than half of you self-righteous hypocrites are!!! GROW UP!!!
John is trashing Adam and using profanity. Why is this allowed on this site. He's obviviouly jealous of a georgeous gay male and can't handle it. Can't these comments be edited just to keep out words like wh _ _e and "d _ck. Who is the trashy person John(if that is even your name), well I have to say it's you. Clean up your act and calm down.
Thank you for a great, insightful article. I am amazed by some of the "over the top" reactions in the US. I am a Canadian Adam Lambert fan. I didn't love his AMA performance but I was more disappointed that all the activity on stage detracted from his amazing vocal ability. Adam is a unique and wonderful person and an awesome performer. His career shouldn't be defined by one performance. GMA and ABC were totally wrong in their reactions.
Love your article! Check out "Adam hits the Trifecta! – Bad, Bans and Boycotts: As Madonna Generation calls for Adam Boycott"
onthemeaningofadamlambert.wordpress.com/welcome-to-juneaus-xenas-salon/adam-hits-the-trifecta-%E2%80%93-bad-bans-and-boycotts/
I can't believe people with irrational points of view are allowed to walk the earth. You make my head hurt and my blood-pressure soar. I can just imagine spending an evening with your mind........boring,ridiculous and 'pull my hair out worthy'! You're in great company with that bone-head Elisabeth Hasselbeck (The View) and all of the other self-righteous stone-throwing idiots! Get some help,please!!!
Thought: Have you ever done anything that you regretted?? If you said no,you're a liar!! No one is perfect and you're going to need forgiveness someday. Hope you remember this!
Great article!! Adam is a gift to this earth. Deal with it!! Hey! What a great idea!! GMA can only redeem themselves by having Adam on. I see it happening....just watch!! Adam is love and love never fails!!!!
Kendra, you must be desperate if you have to quote things from twitter to try to defame Adam. It was all a joke and part of the show. Here is Adam's latest tweet:
"Tranny pee: performer rigged device to make it seem like he was peeing on front row during show. It was a funny trick. We all freaked!"
And what a low life you are to try to make his mother look bad. You owe her and Adam an apology.
Adam is amazing I agree with this writer 100%. Thank you for the fantastic article and the video. I had not seen it yet. The AMA is the first time I have ever heard of Adam Lambert (I must live under a rock). He piqued my curiosity and I am now a big fan. Rock on Adam!
Very disappointed with GMA decision to cancel Adam. Adam too deserved a chance to redeem himself. By cancelling Adam's appearance, ABC increased the attention surrounding the AMA performance exponentially. If not for GMA's cancellation, this might have all died down by now. Adam is an AMAZING singer and performer. If GMA would NOW ask Adam to appear for both interview and performance, I'm certain he would be gracious enough to accept and he's mature enough to provide a time/audience-appropriate performance. GO ADAM!!
Hey Tony, that is great you are a new fan. If you haven't already done so, check out some of his pre-Idol stuff (like Brigadoon, the best vocal performance I ever heard in my life, Is Anybody Listening, The Prayer, Come Home), as well as his idol videos, and tour videos. Also watch his interviews...you'll be amazed at how intelligent, charming, and articulate he is. His official website is adamofficial.com.
To Kelvin Lynch: Excellent well written article, I think it's the best I have read on this subject. Very thoughtful and thought provoking, Thank you. Adam always amazes me in every interview and I'm loving his debut album!
EXCELLENT ARTICLE!!! America needs Adam Lambert, The L Word, Queer as Folk, anything that promotes equality, coexistence, diversity, and tolerance.
spot on artical! Can't wait to have Adam tour worldwide!
The world doesn't need another dated faux-S&M poorly choreographed and sung piece of schlock. Madonna pushed that envelope years ago. There's nothing daring or even interesting about Adam Lambert. The kiss was the least offensive part of that performance. ABC may be hypocritical but the claim of homophobia is just ridiculous. Men kissing men and women kissing women is all over television - including ABC shows and has been for a long time. Lambert's performance was just plain bad and his pseudo angry sexual pantomimes on men and women was just an attempt to create controversy. He succeeded. But rather than focus on that performance just being poorly sung, danced and choreographed - the attention is now on a maligned singer who's artistry was condemned because he's gay. I thought I was watching a bad summer stock performance of Rocky Horror without the humor of the original show. But bravo to Adam for turning a crap performance by a faker into a artist maligned by homophobia.
Adam is good for America? Not in my world. He is both crass and vulgar. I'm glad GMA axed his performance. Obviously the masses don't want to be exposed to his kind of entertainment.
Don't want or need Adam shoved at me and I am just LMAO at the overwrought fans who think he is so special. He sucked on the AMAs and was totally not anything like he was promoted to be. I never saw him before and I thought oh geez...another untalented idiot trying to impress with dramatics. Didn't know much about him either. Who cares if he's gay? That has nothing to do with how bad he performed. Did he win American Idol? I think he lost....a very trite and stupid talent show that produces few real artists. America's tastes are so unbelievably bad. The lack of authenticity in today's entertainers is shameful. Everyone is trying to be as outrageous as possible and really, this guy can't sing. The song was stupid too. Like so much else, Lambert just thinks he is all that when in reality he is far from gifted. Anyone can act outrageous and screeech. That is what I saw.
Adam Lambert is an amazing talent. The best I've heard in years. I will admit that his vocals were off at the AMA's, but does that mean that we don't give people second chances? If you don't like one song by a performer, chances are, you will like a different one. He was nervous. You people need to cut him some slack.
No one gives a rip about "the kiss." Good deflection, though. Adam is not "new", he is a poser and about as fake and manufactured as they come. Cracks me up to read the responses equating him to the second coming or something. Rabid. You know what was offensive? Imagery of sexual violence, simulated (forced) BJ, fingering that woman dancer, flipping off the audience at the end. Crude and disgusting. Doesn't matter if he's gay or straight. ABC could be fined for showing that kind of stuff in Prime Time. If these AMA's showed anything it is how low what passes for pop has sunk since, of course, Adam wasn't the only one doing it. He was just the grossest and he violated Prime Time guidelines in the process. Oh, and he didn't sing well either. As for Chris Brown, he has nothing to do with anything, another red herring to deflect blame from poor widdle Adam. Frankly I wouldn't be one bit surprised if this contrived scandal was part of a pre-written PR plan.
To Brooke, a response:
Adam Lambert may be amazing to you but not me. Adam Lambert violated my sense of decency on prime time. So many do that but he, being new to the scene took a stupid risk that didn't pay off. I prefer the artistry of Bowie and multiple others who came before him and were genuine and edgy. Adam is inauthentic but perhaps, for his generation, he seems real. For many of us, not so much. Don't insult those of us who find him inappropriate and uninteresting. No one is saying you can't enjoy him but please, I saw enough to know I won't be supporting this dude. Not now, not ever. His form of glam and glitter is way too crude for my tsstes and he showed absolutely no true vocal ability. I did go give a listen to his CD and heard samples. I'm still not impressed. The mediocrity that passes for talent today makes me long for a different era, when talent was more important than the theatrics but combined the artists were illuminating...again, like Bowie!
I absolutely love this article. It is spot on and deserves attention. Thank you for you absolute spot on assessment of the 'controversy', for GMA to cancel his performance but allow Chris Brown to perform is utterly digusting.
For the poster below me...why come on here to waste time dissing someone you supposedly donot like? Adam is not a poser. He is a breath of fresh air in a STALE music industry.
Thanks for posting the video to FYE, it's incredibly sexy.
It's funny how people are so disliking of and offended by Adam that they actually waited through an entire show full of pushing-the envelope performances in order to see him. Maybe they're just a little more intrigued with him than they let on. If their so called 'moral' radar was in place,they should have changed the channel during Janet Jackson's 'crotch' grabbing routine. But I guess that didn't bother them,or 'viol because she's a heterosexual woman and crotch grabbing a male is quite acceptable in this case. For those attempting to blame Adam's performance on the vulgarity and NOT the gay factor,let me ask you this? If Adam was a straight male, would this have been such an issue? Maybe a shocker,but not enough to resort to the blatant bashing that he is being subjected to. I say it is YOUR behaviour that is disgusting and deplorable. I never thought in 2009 we would have hypocrital modern day stone-throwers who are content at making mistakes,just not forgiving them!!
Move on!
GREAT ARTICLE!!! I hope EVERYONE reads this. Adam is a great guy and talented and smart. His performances are great, I've seen him in concert and he was amazing, his CD is amazing, and he's going to be (already is) a superstar. His voice is incredible (out of this world range), and any one with any kind of musical sensibility will know that already. Love you Adam!
"It's funny how people are so disliking of and offended by Adam that they actually waited through an entire show full of pushing-the envelope performances in order to see him. Maybe they're just a little more intrigued with him than they let on."
Maybe because some of us watch the AMAs every year and were expecting something spectacular and got Adam Lambert's risque, disgusting version of S&M. Not everyone knew who he was or what he did. Now we know. Curiosity satisfied and time to move on. Some of you fanatics are truly off the wall with this dude.
I adore Adam Lambert. I think the AMA performance was hysterical. His usually perfect voice was messed up by the sound, but man, that was really entertaining. I am still laughing about how ballsy that man is. He is a great way to break up the boring slump our society finds itself in. Great performer shaking up boring people. I think that is great for America.
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