There is a rotten smell wafting through America, one that appears to be emanating directly from the headquarters of ABC, and its parent corporation Disney. After canceling his Good Morning America appearance following the American Music Awards, ABC has now taken a giant leap further in their war against the talented singer by canceling his appearances on both Jimmy Kimmel Live and Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve.
Lambert announced the news himself via his twitter page. "Yes, sadly friends, ABC has cancelled my appearances on Kimmel and NYE. :( don't blame them. It's the FCC heat." While Lambert remains classy as always, it should be noted that the decision to cancel his appearances remains squarely on the cowardly shoulders of ABC and Disney. The FCC has the power to fine a performance that has already happened, not make programming decisions. The fact that Lambert is already booked for performances on other networks makes it clear that there is a higher up in ABC or Disney wielding a very glittery and perfectly coiffed voodoo doll.
This whole incident is so suspicious, it borders on the absurd. While his cancellation from GMA wasn't exactly kosher, there are at least not completely ridiculous arguments that ABC could make to support its decision. There is literally no argument that justifies pulling him from two performances, one of which is pre-taped, that would air far past the bedtime of any child that could conceivably catch Lambert's homosexuality.
The more probing question is what exactly did Lambert do to incur such awe inspiring ire from ABC and Disney? The contention that his performance was so spontaneously racy that it shocked the sense out of them holds no weight. Lambert closed the show, a slot which is typically reserved for a flashy performance. His performance was advertised the entire night as "shocking," and one that we would "all be talking about tomorrow." The song he performed contained blatantly sexual lyrics. His dancers were all dressed in bondage gear. And he has stated that his moves were all choreographed to some extent, he simply took them slightly farther. So ABC knew that Adam would insinuate oral sex, he just insinuated it slightly more convincingly. And they knew that he would grab his dancer by the hair, just not that he would kiss him in the process. It was not as if he stripped off his clothes and had sex on the stage. Then, maybe ABC would be justified in their actions. Maybe.
Perhaps the saddest part of this whole saga is the blatant and extreme double standard involved. Lambert himself alluded to it directly after the incident, during his appearance on The Early Show, which ironically personified the double standard by blurring out Lambert's same sex kiss while leaving Britney Spears' uncensored. "Lady Gaga smashed whiskey bottles on stage, Janet Jackson grabbed a male dancer's crotch, and Eminem talked about how Slim Shady has 17 rapes under his belt,' " he recalled of the other performances that evening. It should be noted that all of them occurred earlier in the evening than Lambert's. Not one of them has received any complaints or backlash.
Anyone who has a problem with the kiss with the male dancer is simply being homophobic. No need to sugarcoat it. People kiss on television all the time. As for that infamous clothed fellatio? The one that has made Lambert a pariah in a country where he already has less rights than the other artists he shared the stage with that night? Take a look at the video below at the 1:35 mark. What you see is the singer Pink performing literally the EXACT same move on one of her male dancers. This aired on Fox, a broadcast television network, on the 2004 Billboard Music Awards, another popular awards show. Don't remember it? That's because there was no outrage. No FCC fines. No artists being banned from entire television stations at the outside of their career. None of that. Simply because she is a woman, and the dancer is a man. Yeah, something sure stinks.
Comments
Thank you for exposing this injustice and ridiculous double-standard.
Wonderful, insightful piece. Thank you.
A++++
A wonderful and rational article pointing out that the smell from ABC and Disney is indeed rank.
What maggots are in their brains?
Blacklisted Adam = Blacklisted ABC.
ABC has behaved outrageously, and perpetrated a grievous injustice. It's blatantly discriminatory and blatantly homophobic. ABC needs to apologize and fix this terrible injustice. As for ABC's parent company, Disney, if they have such a problem with Adam's performance, maybe they should look at their teen princess' pole dance - yeah, great role model for her target market. Hypocrites.
God is his 15 minutes up yet? Who really cares!
You can earn a degree in Criminal Justice through online and work in Criminal Justice system. check www.bit.ly/69blcQ
Great article I love it! Nicely said alyssa! Adam is being thrown under teh bus and ABC is worried about covering their own butts but god knows from who since it seems that even the crazy parents that lost themselves over it have since stopped complaining. Censorship is back and the blacklist is back ... just what I wanted a trip back to 1950's America... thanks ABC
@jim - if you don't care why are you wasting your time reading and commenting. Luckily ABC won't swoop in and censor your comment.
Such a great article. Well thought out and balanced. U reveal the ugly truth of homophobia. Something must change. Adam does not deserve this.
Kudos. Excellent commentary.
Great article! Thank you for writing about the truth. Hypocrisy is running rampant at ABC.
ABC Sucks!!!! Everyone go to their website and issue a complaint, lets beat 1,500!!! Tweet #AdamBringsChange it's trending now.
Who knew the Examiner could speak truth to power and so eloquently? double standard indeed. Which sponsor or sponsors support ABC's censorship? Maybe it's time to look into that and apply some economic pressure to remind ABC this is 2009 in the USA.
I hope ABC & Disney are ready for a lawsuit regarding their blatant discrimination and double standard. I just want to hear and see Adam sing. Homophobic America is becoming a laughing stock over this and rightfully so. Thank you Examiner for telling it like it really is. And a sidenote to "Jim" .... apparently you care or you wouldn't have read this article.
Great article illustrating the double standards being applied to Adam Lambert. Cancelling him due to back-lash?? What?? 1500 complaints from a show watched by MILLIONS hardly seems like backlash to me.
Beautiful article. Actually, all you needed to do was show Pink doing the same move, back in 2004, on FOX. As you say, we don't remember it because there was no outrage. And there was no outrage because the people involved were faking a hetero act. Thank you.
Great article, but wrong date on the video. Pink's performance was at the 2003 Billboard Music Awards.
Thank you examiner. Great article and I hope ABC gets exposed for what they really are...a bunch of homophobic a**holes.
great article ,maybe showbiz tonight and msnbc need too see this article ,maybe ABCs vendetta against Adam will stop! Kudos to you for doing this story,we need more unbaised reporters like you!
Hey I liked Adam on AI, but I did not like his performance on the AMA's. I don't care who else has done this kind of display, was it really necessary for him to do it? I had high hopes for him but just because others do it, doesn't make it right. For once I agree with ABC taking a stand. Maybe this will make other performers think twice about what they display on primetime TV. I want to hear a good performance, not see a visual of their sexual fantacies, it was never good with Madonna, Britney or whomever and it wasn't good for Adam either.
Sorry..this is just my opinion and I KNOW you won't agree.
You're article was precise and spot on.
Someone things are hard to change such as gay discrimination.
Thank-you for pointing it out.
Thank you, Alyssa for your great article. Adam Lambert is an amazingly talented artist who does not deserve this ostracism.
I, for one, will no longer be tuning in to ABC!
Everyone go to Oprah.com and request Adam as a guest. He'd be a great interview for her. I complained to ABC and told them that until Adam is put back on Kimmel and the New Years show, that ABC is no longer wanted on my tv. Tell ABC that you are boycotting them!!!!!! Great article - Thanks!!!!
Of course I respect your opinion and obviously not everyone liked Adam's performance. That isn't my problem with the situation. It is the blatant censorship and hypocrisy being exhibited by ABC. It is a taste issue. It is okay to not like it. It is unfair, in my opinion, to call his performance "obscene" and damage his career by canceling his appearances. I'd like to know if Pink has ever performed on ABC? And obviously they don't have a problem with Chris Brown. Anyway- I respect everyone's opinion. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my article. :)
Excellent article- spot on! Thank you.
So well said!!!! has everyone forgotten the ABC promo videos on their website AMA page where Adam auditions his dancers, the costume guy shows the outfits, rehersal footage with guys on their knees, and dancers on poles? ABC knew they were milking Adams performance as something to be talked about - he just added a little more glitta.
Great article! ABC has gone too far
Fantastic article! Thank you for the Pink video link! Now let these grandstanding outraged screamers tell us all there is NO double standard. Bring it on posers!!!!!!!!!!! Show your faces!!!!!!!!
As of today I'm done with ABC. Their channel simply doesn't exist for me anymore.
Great Article and so true. ABC knew what his performance was all about. They owe Adam an apology.
How much more obvious can the double standard be?! Pink's performance from the beginning was much more sexual than anything Adam did and this is the first time anyone has really looked twice at it. Thanks for your excellent article. I hope it gets picked up by the mainstream media.
List of ABC sponsers
Lunesta-1 800 Lunesta,
Lipitor-1 888 Lipitor
Vytorin-1 877 Vytorin
Good Neighbor Pharmacy-1 888 gnpstor
The Lending Tree-1 800 555 tree
Empire Carpet-800 588 2300
Sofa Express
Meijer
Whirlpool
Healthy Choice
Bayer Aspirin
Aveeno
Smart Balance Margerine
Hewlett Packard
Office Depot
Aleve
All Detergent
BAM Power Cleaner
Best Foods Mayonnaise
Bush’s Baked Beans
Claritin-D
Clorox
Cottonelle Toilet Tissue
Crest Whitening Rinse
Disney
Dove Ice Cream
Excedrin
Head & Shoulders Shampoo
Honey Bunches of Oats
Humira
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
Janome Sewing Machines
Loestrin 24
M&M’s
Marshall’s
Miracle-Gro
Pepto Bismol
Pier 1 Imports
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel
Reach One Ultimate Clean Toothbrush
Scrubbing Bubbles
Sears
Singulair
Stainmaster Carpet
Stanley Steemer
T.J. Maxx
Tide Laundry Detergent
Vaseline Intensive Rescue Body Lotion
Woolite
Zyrtec (Pfizer)
I once told the Adam nation that they would be up against the cruelist of press when they supported him. They laughed at me. Either you stick by him or you move on your way. Those of us who have endured the meanest of article understand your pain for our favorites. If you love him move on...just be there to enjoy. It is going to be a long and winding road.
PERFECT! It is times like this that I wish I was a reporter so I could write exactly what you wrote! Even the ignorant people who bashed Adam are going to have trouble justifying this load of crap!! I have nothing else to add except a HUGE HELL YEAH!!!!!
List of ABC sponsers
Lunesta-1 800 Lunesta,
Lipitor-1 888 Lipitor
Vytorin-1 877 Vytorin
Good Neighbor Pharmacy-1 888 gnpstor
The Lending Tree-1 800 555 tree
Empire Carpet-800 588 2300
Sofa Express
Meijer
Whirlpool
Healthy Choice
Bayer Aspirin
Aveeno
Smart Balance Margerine
Hewlett Packard
Office Depot
Aleve
All Detergent
BAM Power Cleaner
Best Foods Mayonnaise
Bush’s Baked Beans
Claritin-D
Clorox
Cottonelle Toilet Tissue
Crest Whitening Rinse
Disney
Dove Ice Cream
Excedrin
Head & Shoulders Shampoo
Honey Bunches of Oats
Humira
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
Janome Sewing Machines
Loestrin 24
M&M’s
Marshall’s
Miracle-Gro
Pepto Bismol
Pier 1 Imports
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel
Reach One Ultimate Clean Toothbrush
Scrubbing Bubbles
Sears
Singulair
Stainmaster Carpet
Stanley Steemer
T.J. Maxx
Tide Laundry Detergent
Vaseline Intensive Rescue Body Lotion
Woolite
Zyrtec (Pfizer)
PERFECT! It is times like this that I wish I was a reporter so I could write exactly what you wrote! Even the ignorant people who bashed Adam are going to have trouble justifying this load of crap!! I have nothing else to add except a HUGE HELL YEAH!!!!!
Great article. I think the whole issue has really gotten out of hand and ABC has thrown Adam under a bus. ABC needs to take credit for this issue. I understood the possible canceling of the GMAs to prove their point but now it has escalated and Adam must now suffer because of the fear of a gay man showing his sexuality on TV. My 16 year old son just announced to me that he is gay, to me only, and this whole issue scares him to death. He says he doesn't feel that he can ever comfortably come out past his own mother. ABC should be ashamed of themselves. I just went on their website and gave them a piece of my mind. I hope Adam comes out of this okay but he has really suffered this past couple of weeks. How long will they continue to punish him. Thanks for such a great article.
Wait Wait LOOK at this:
tube vid =bhVb-Vud3-s
Gay male characters kiss on OLTL - ABC daytime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alyssa Dunn I love your article! You are completely accurate. I wish you'd also attach the video of Brit and Madonna and Christina kissing. That way everyone can see both products. It is complete discrimination against Adam Lambert. I hope more artists like ROD STEWART come forward and back Adam Lambert. I know Anoop Desai did and Blake Lewis. They are champions and I applaud them. I pray for more artist who have integrity and don't want other artists to be put in a box and censored. I'm banning ABC from my house. Until Adam Lambert is treated fairly it will not be a program I will have available on my tv. I am also ashamed of Allison who replaced Adam on Jimmey Kimmel. I am really surprised that Jimmey Kimmel let ABC do that to HIS SHOW. I respect that man a lot and love his show. Or did love his show. I'm 100% for GAY RIGHTS NOW that this has affected someone I can relate to and have connected with. It is funny how much influence Adam Lambert has had on my life.
@jim - if you don't care why are you wasting your time reading and commenting. Luckily ABC won't swoop in and censor your comment.
double standards again....i will no longer watch abc....i do not want someone deciding for me whether i want to watch something or not....sounds like "big brother" to me! boycott abc...
Thanks for writing this! I share your sentiments, as I believe many others do as well. And good job at pointing out that Pink did the exact same thing and no one even raised a voice.
It's been a long time coming, but a change is gonna come. I still believe this with every fiber of my being. It's going to be a slow, painful process for every party involved. But as long as humanity still exists, it's not going away.
@Jim : Well, what do you know, looks like it's not up yet :D Good for him, good for us. If it's not good for you, then that's just too bad. Obviously, you were only spreading hate, because I can't even be bothered to comment on online articles unless I really, really enjoy them :) I feel sorry for your life, dude.
You are my new hero! Thanks so much for this blog/article! Adam rocks! This just makes him look better and better, fans are outraged over his treatment and he will gain even more fans. I know the initial outcry over the AMA's gained him more fans.
I agree with Cindy. I hated that performance because it was all about how much gayness Adam could shove in our faces when it needed to be about Adam's voice. His voice is his greatest asset and he threw that out the window for a sleezy show. Barry Manilow said it best when he said he just wanted to hear Adam sing a great song and blow the roof off the place. Maybe this will open Adam's eyes to see that all he needs is that wonderful voice of his to win us over. Homophobia is at work here but in the long run this situation may be a good lesson for Adam.
Everyone get out and pick up a copy of Adam's CD. If it is for a friend, family member, or another for yourself. Then call ABC or email them and file a complaint. Then ban all shows of ABC in your house. Support Adam Lambert. Show everyone you know the double standards. ABC's AMA video promo does show Adam picking the dancers, the costumes, the dance rehearsal. ABC did hype up his performance the entire night at every commercial. They used Adam Lambert and then they threw him under a bus. His dad had said, "Maybe you should apologize Adam". I don't think he did anything wrong. Not when you look at the other artists who did a lot of adult stuff that whole night before him.
Boycott ABC & let ABC know it in writing!
Boycott their sponsors as listed above by GK & send these sponsors a little note letting them know it's because of ABC actions against Adam Lambert.
JO: You've missed the point.
I just don't get it. I was loving ABC with what I deemed as progressive programming..Modern Family and Brothers & Sisters, Grey's Anatomy that feature gay/lesbian characters in a positive way. So why is Adam being targeted? Perhaps it is reflective of what he said on Ellen...gay male characters are cliche and safe...like it's okay to be gay, we just don't want to think about that "yucky" gay sex.
anyway good article. instead of homophobe, I prefer heterosexist, ie heterosexuality is superior to homosexuality. That is what we are seeing all over the US. How often have you heard.."I don't mind someone being gay, they just can't get married, or work wherever they want, or be out in the military blah blah blah ." or in this case express their sexualtiy on TV in a 4 minute musical performance. its sickening.
Adam fan or not this is a double standard and outrage. More importantly it is UN-AMerican. We stand for freedom of artistic expression. No one pressed charges against against Dancing With The Stars - Mambo Marathon on youtube at minutes 2:20 to 2:24. was longer simulated oral sex than Adam and in early prime time.
Why is it ok for female performers to be scantily clad and overtly sexual or for lyrics to be filled with expletives that need to be bleeped but a fully clothed man can't kiss another man? ABC definitely knew what they were getting into. Now they need to let it go.
Pages
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!