So, bottom line, for me… I like Adam and think he’s very talented. I think there are double standards all over the place. No one said life is fair (that was my mom coming out in me lol). But as I’ve posted before, you can still play the game and not sell out. You can push the envelope and do your thing, but be smart about it. There are lines to cross and lines not to cross. I work for a major network and they take the indecency rules serious enough for employees to take an online refresher course and pass a quiz (and get certified) at least once a year. Networks and their affilliates don’t want fines, and those fines come when the masses start complaining to the FCC. Unfair that some acts get complaints while others don’t, but it’s the world in which we live. I hope Adam does the damage control (he can do better with this than he’s doing right now, IMO) and this passes. But it’s a rough way to start out in a VERY competitive business… not just music but entertainment in general. Where you need friends. Where you need to generate good will.

A reporter who saw the rehearsals said the bj was in the rehearsal. It was the kiss that was not.

Like I believe a reporter.

Maybe if he had taken the “high road” to begin with and concentrated on his singing instead of his “pushing the envelope” he wouldn’t have this contraversy. Simulating a BJ does not belong on network TV. I don’t care who it is gay, straight, lesbian, whatever. It has become very apparent to me that he thrives on contraversy and it really isn’t about the music. JMO

The only apples to apples comparison is the Justin-Janet incident. Not the cable incidents with Madonna/Britney and not what is shown in taped, primetime tv shows (where editing keeps them safe from FCC fines). And I dare say Janet-Justin was a heterosexual incident that was even more infamous than anything Adam has dreamed up to stir controversy. If people don’t fall for his smokescreen, the excuses fall away pretty quickly.

I am not surprised by anything anymore but that simulated bj was so inappropriate. It was porn let’s face it. That was not the venue to do that. He admitted that he didn’t plan it ‘“ it just happened.

A reporter who saw the rehearsals said the bj was in the rehearsal. It was the kiss that was not.

What was edited out (and what a lot of people are pissed about) was the simulated blowjob and Adam flipping off the audience. They edited the same part out when Pink did it at the Billboard Awards, they should edit it out when Adam did it on the AMAs. It doens’t matter what your sexual orientation is; it’s a stupid move to do it on basic cable network.

First of all, the cries of “gay discrimination”. I’m sorry but that just is not the case here. When Adam’s performance was edited for the west coast, the kiss was left in. Obviously whatever problems the public/network had with the performance did not revolve around Adam being gay, or having a male on male kiss. The scene’s censored were the simulated bj. This i feel nullifies the whole “they are giving him a hard time because he is gay” argument imo. And I’m sure you could counter by saying that people are in an uproar ONLY over Adam’s performance, why aren’t they targeting everyone else for their transgressions? Perhaps they are. Perhaps the population is getting tired of all the postulating, grinding, lewd behaviour on stage and Adam was just the icing on the cake so to speak. I personally did not see Shakira’s or Janet’s performance on the AMA’s so I cannot comment on that, however I can say that I have seen several comments that blasted the entire AMA show for being ridiculously over the top and citing Kelly Clarkson as the only good performer of the night.

Next we have the issue of double standards for male pop stars vs women pop stars. Adam has been name dropping ever since his performance. What he fails to mention is that alot of women performers have caught a lot of flack for their performances too. Janet Jackson was thrown under a bus for years after her “wardrobe malfunction”. Madonna has been banned from entire countries for her antics, her videos have been banned from television. Miley Cyrus elicited an enormous amount of flack for her “pole dancing” performance. I could go on and on but I’m sure you get the point. I’m sorry, but this whole double standards defense just does not hold water. I’m sorry, but if equality is what you are looking for, you are getting it.

Then there’s all the “prude/homophobe” labels being tossed around. I have read a great many comments from the gay community, most of them found the performance offensive so obviously the homophobe label can’t apply to them. And you could label all of us prudes, but that doesn’t really apply either. I would be willing to bet that the majority of the people that took offense to this performance are not “virgin pearl clutchers” I’m sure most of them have had sex, given/received bj’s, watched an R rated movie etc. What becomes offensive is the context in which that kind of scene is displayed. I think it is logical to assume that most people that tuned into the AMA’s were expecting a MUSIC show. You know, shows where people sing, dance and win awards. I’m sure most people did not tune in saying “gee I hope we get some good simulated sex”. Not to mention the fact that this was on network television.

Finally, there is Adam himself. He has routinely claimed he wants to “push the envelope” and “take risks”. And he has. As such, he should be willing to accept the controversy associated with taking those risks. All of the other “trailblazers” that Adam has been name dropping had to deal with it, so, if this is the course he has chosen to take, then own up to it. This whole attitude of Adam’s of “it’s just art, get over it” just isn’t going to work. So what, because Adam claims it’s fine, then the world should just accept it? Who is he to dictate what I or anyone else is comfortable with? So if someone gets on stage and starts having live sex and claims its “art” then I should just accept that? I’m sorry, the “art” blanket does not cover everything and give you carte blanche to do whatever you please. It is up to each individual to decide what they deem is acceptable to them. And obviously the majority of the population does not seem to think that simulated sex, s&m and bondage is acceptable in the setting it was presented in.

ABC had every justification in not allowing Adam to perform live. At this point, he is a wild card that is just not worth the risk of fines and backlash from the FCC.

And, no, right now I don’t believe I’m overreacting. I cannot put it into words, but something is amiss. Someone (who I believe harbors hate in his/her heart… yeah, I said it) in a position to do so is using some big time power to get this canceled this way, at this time, at this speed. He/She will get his/hers. Karma’s a bitch.

Good for Adam for taking the high road. And good for/congrats to CBS!! (CBS broadcasts nearly all of the shows I enjoy… so I’m not surprised. )

Rant over (for now) carry on…

Just popping my head in to give my 2 cents.

Vocals were meh. Performance was pure AMA’s. [laughs] Over half of the performances that night were all about the sexy. Honestly, IMO, Adam didn’t take it that much further than anyone else. Heck, he was wearing *significantly* more than Carrie! What was *with* those gold hot pants??? But…I digress.

I wasn’t shocked by anything but the sound mix. Glad Adam didn’t get badly hurt by the fall.

Now, can the rest of you PLEASE give some much deserved props and kudos to Kelly and Carrie for awesome performances?!!! They totally deserve some attention! Geez, I’ll even wave my usual “whateves” for Daughtrey. They were decently solid.

[waves]

They were even trying to give away tickets at Hot Topic just yesterday. Maybe the venue wasn’t sold out, not even close,

Wrong.

This was to be a free concert, no sales, no distribution of any tickets ahead of time. You had to be in line at 6AM.

Have spent all day trying to figure out what was the upside of this for ABC.

Can’t find any.

It’s November sweeps. Where the ratings are measured for networks to set their ad prices. They’re losing the ratings bump the AMA publicity would have gotten them. And donating a day of out of the ordinary ratings to the otherwise trailing Early Show. Not to mention setting up Letterman for a nice lift.

Never seen any protest by any alleged morality group get action in 24 hours. And they usual like to draw out their actions for the PR. And there haven’t been any highly visible protests over Adam appearing on GMA. 1500 calls about the AMA did not make this happen.

Someone had to decide this. And then get it cleared high up the ladder. And ABC knew they risked backlash, and appearing anti-gay.

Advertisers? Can’t imagine a company who could even get all the necessary emails and approvals finished by end of biz Monday. And why? He’s a rock star. Nothing new happening here. Except he’s gay. So they’d be weighing that same anti-gay risk as well. And what advertisers were getting pressure from whom to do something about this specific show? Where’s the visible protest against specific sponsors to make them pull the plug? And it would be cheaper for ABC to just offer discounts and freebies on the fill-ins, run the concert, and take the good ratings.

Other than the earlier speculation of 1 powerful person threatening 1 powerful thing, can’t figure out ABC’s upside.

Maybe it was payback to Adam? Maybe they said “no blow job”. And he said fine. But did it anyway? They pimped his rehearsals all over their website. So they knew what was coming.

They also knew exactly where to bleep the rappers. Can’t believe they were broadcasting AMA’s without a delay built-in.

Anyway, still haven’t found a reason for ABC to do this. Where are they benefitting?

And that’s why I thought it was unfair he was on AI. He was way more experienced then anyone else on the show and therefore knew more about creating his performances. But why couldn’t RCA just sign him like they do others instead of putting him in AI and making the show into a farce?

But see this draws so much more attention. He was on TV for 3 months, gained fans and attention from media and show biz folks. If they just threw him out there with the other people who are just signed to a label, he would be an unknown. This way people who never even watch Idol know his name. He’s famous before many even know his music.

Also, I received an email from AO so that I could d/l another bonus track. Down the Rabbit Hole

I wish people would get off the BS about the kiss. ABC didn’t cut the kiss, and the kiss is not a big deal. It’s about the simulated fellatio, and the finger bang, and the S&M.

I’m not so sure. Wasn’t there a quote upthread, from ABC, that specifically cited the kiss? Or is that the BS you’re referring to (ie, is that a bogus quote?)
In any case, surely the S&M theme was clear from the rehearsals, so I’d imagine that part was OK’d by ABC, and personally, I wouldn’t call the 3 second head-to-crotch moment “simulated” fellatio. Suggested, perhaps, but not simulated. As others have said, other primetime shows have come much closer to simulating sex acts: actors appearing to be undressed, motions suggesting what’s coming next, etc. To my middle-aged, middle class, middle American eyes, that didn’t look anymore suggestive that DWTS on latin night. (and I didn’t see the finger bang, so can’t comment on that – I’m assuming “simulated” is supposed to apply to that, too)

Obviously other people saw things differently, and I’m not surprised there’s controversy (there was even controversy over the planned and rehearsed Britney-Madonna kiss), but I also think that if he were female, with the exact same performance, there would be controversy at a much lower level, and no cancellation.

No matter. It’s not going to make or break his career. He’s still got all the music work to do.

Just throwing this out there, but what if the cancellation is because they couldn’t give away enough tickets and they were given the gift of Adam’s vapidity to allow them to cancel?

They were even trying to give away tickets at Hot Topic just yesterday. Maybe the venue wasn’t sold out, not even close, and GMA thanking whatever deity they choose that this landed in their lap?

CBS dosent seem to have that problem.

http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/salescht.cgi

At least much better than Leona Lewis.

And that’s why I thought it was unfair he was on AI. He was way more experienced then anyone else on the show and therefore knew more about creating his performances. But why couldn’t RCA just sign him like they do others instead of putting him in AI and making the show into a farce?

It was the best American Idol that I had seen in years and that was because of Adam Lambert.

Just saw a clip about Adams brew-ha-ha on Inside Edition. Talked about ABC canceling his show and a clip from the AMAs with a big black strip across the fake BJ. Showed the kiss though.

They did show a little clip of him singing on David Letterman. I am beginning to believe that he was cast on AI to create his launch. He’s way more seasoned than any performer they have ever had, and no, they couldn’t let him win. American Idol’s are rated G-to PG. Adam is an rated R performer. This thing is getting bigger and bigger. Like the perfect storm.

I wouldn’t be surprised. Man this is some brouhaha!! It’s reaching epic levels. It’s so big I’m actually going to watch this CBS Early Show and I never watch morning television.

It is disturbing to watch people slip into the oblivious.

But it’s true, the platinum sellers (those mediocre Idols of the past) have their own audiences. How they succeed in the future has to do with their own albums, singles, and tours. Just as Adam’s long-term audience depends on those.

They were even trying to give away tickets at Hot Topic just yesterday. Maybe the venue wasn’t sold out, not even close, and GMA thanking whatever deity they choose that this landed in their lap?

They did show a little clip of him singing on David Letterman. I am beginning to believe that he was cast on AI to create his launch. He’s way more seasoned than any performer they have ever had, and no, they couldn’t let him win. American Idol’s are rated G-to PG. Adam is an rated R performer. This thing is getting bigger and bigger. Like the perfect storm.

And that’s why I thought it was unfair he was on AI. He was way more experienced then anyone else on the show and therefore knew more about creating his performances. But why couldn’t RCA just sign him like they do others instead of putting him in AI and making the show into a farce?