Adam Lambert Does ‘The Early Show’
Yesterday we learned that ABC decided to cancel Adam Lambert’s scheduled performance on their morning show Good Morning America today due to the controversy brought on by his “shocking” performance at the 2009 American Music Awards on Sunday night. Shortly thereafter, we learned that CBS decided to book Lambert to appear on their morning show The Early Show in place of his GMA appearance … and he did appear on The Early Show earlier today. Adam talked about the controversy stemming from his AMAs performance and even performed a song off his new album … but then CBS did something that not even ABC did — they censored Adam’s same-sex kiss with his keyboardist and then, in comparison, DID NOT censor video of Madonna kissing Britney Spears from the MTV VMAs during their interview piece. I mean … WTF??? Here are a few photos from Adam’s appearance on The Early Show this morning:
Adam Lambert says the firestorm following his sexually-charged performance on Sunday’s American Music Awards show took him aback. He told “Early Show” co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez Wednesday he had “no clue. No clue at all,” his appearance would prove as controversial as it has. “I was really looking forward to it. I worked really hard with my dancers and my band for about two weeks putting that together. And, I admit I did get carried away, but I don’t see anything wrong with it. I do see how people got offended, and that was not my intention. My intention was just to interpret the lyrics of my song and have a good time up there.” His performance on the AMAs of “For Your Entertainment” was an elaborate and had an S&M theme. He fondled a dancer, led another around on a leash, kissed a man, and had a dancer briefly stick his head in Lambert’s crotch. After it aired unedited on the East Coast, right-wing groups such as the Liberty Counsel filed formal complaints with the Federal Communications Commission, demanding ABC be held responsible for airing the overtly sexual performance during primetime. Lambert told Rodriguez he didn’t plan to be so provocative, saying, “Those kind of came from more of an impromptu place. No, those were not rehearsed. So I think ABC was taken a little by surprise. That wasn’t my intention. I wasn’t being sneaky. It got the most of me, I guess.” He also said he’s “not a babysitter, I’m a performer” when asked if he wanted to apologize to parents of any kids who might have been watching. “I think it’s up to the parents to discern what their child’s watching on television,” Lambert said at one point. Later he observed, “I think it’s up to a parent to watch the television. It was almost 11:00 at night. If they’re concerned with certain material maybe Tivo it and preview it before your small child is watching it.” He added he thinks the reaction to his performance stems from a double-standard against gay males, asserting that, “If it had been a female pop performer … I don’t think there’d be nearly as much of an outrage at all.”
I totally agree … if it had been two women, like say Madonna and Britney Spears, there would not be this crazy hoopla. If you consider that even CBS decided to censor Lambert’s same sex kiss …
… and then had no problem showing uncensored video of Madonna and Britney kissing at little later on The Early Show this morning, well, it’s very obvs a double standard. After the jump, watch video of Lambert’s Early Show interview and watch him perform the songs Whataya Want From Me and Music Again …
The Interview:
Whataya Want From Me:
Music Again:
I do give CBS props for letting Adam tell his side of the story on morning TV, I just wish they wouldn’t have felt the need to censor something as simple as a kiss … people do it every single day — morning, noon and night. I give Lambert props for realizing that his performance on Sunday night wasn’t “his best ever” … I think we all agree that his singing was terrible — that was the real offensive part of his performance for me. I think he handled himself very well on The Early Show today. If he keeps his head in the game, focuses on his singing rather than his shenanigans, he just may be alright. What did y’all think of his appearance this morning … good?
[Photo credit: David M. Russell/CBS; Source]
Tags: 'Music Again', 'The Early Show', 'Whataya Want From Me', Adam Lambert
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November 25th, 2009 at 9:45 am
wow. networks need to take a genuine look at themselves and realize how homophobic and sexist they are.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:47 am
OK, so CBS kind of indirectly showed their support for Adam by grabbing him for their show after ABC dumped him, right? That’s certainly what it seems like to me. Kind of like they’re saying “Hey, WE didn’t think his AMA performance was so bad. We’ll have him on OUR show.” Fair enough, for sure. But then CBS actually goes and censors the same-sex kiss themselves, after ABC didn’t even do it??? That’s a huge “WTF” from me!
That being said, I thought Adam’s performance on The Early Show was great! Yeah, maybe he got a little carried away with showing off at the AMA show, and didn’t focus quite enough on his singing. But he proved this morning that he DOES have an amazing voice. I heart Adam :D
November 25th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Hi Trent…wow I just wanted to say that I find CBS early morning show or whatever was really wrong for censoring that. I mean give me a break….people should be more accepting by now. Plus even if they think that girls kissing is hot…it’s really not that hot…
This makes me mad because I have alot of gay friends and I love them to pieces…but whats the different between two girls and two guys?….The one thing I can think of..is two girls kissing can become a very sluty and sexual thing fast and be accepted…but guys one kiss is apparently bad….WTF?
Anyways lots of love trent love what you do…oh and has anyone complained about the censoring that you would know of?…Someone offended by their actions and the fact they didn’t censor for Madonna?
November 25th, 2009 at 10:25 am
This performance was amazing. The AMA performance was a disaster vocally IMHO. There is definitely a double standard, but he has opened the door for discussion and for that I applaud his professionalism in handling the situation.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Hey Trent, you got it wrong. The first song is Whataya Want From Me, not For Your Entertainment.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I just feel that our country needs to accept that 2 males kissing is no different from a male kissing a female. If it is unacceptable to show one, it should be unacceptable to show all of it. At the end of the day, it is scary how our country is so terrified by the human body and sexuality, but they welcome extreme violence. I have seen people get their heads blown off in primetime TV, and the stations don’t get 1500 calls in response to that. Shoot, stab, punch, bludgen someone, but just be sure not to kiss them.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Love that they put “Straight Talk” on the runner during his interview… cheeky gits
November 25th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I understand that a lot of people are offended by pretty much his entire performance at the AMA’s, but what makes little sense to me is they seem more bothered by the male on male kiss as opposed to him sticking the dancers head in his crotch.
To me,although I found it a little shocking, it really didn’t bother me..performers are there to perform and entertain an audience. I’ve always felt people tend to take artists and what they do on stage way too seriously; once you stop being shocked is when you can actually sit back and be entertained
November 25th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Are you kidding me? This is RIDICULOUS. Who the hell blurs out someone kissing? Totally a double standard and an unfair one at that. America is retarded.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I think Adam’s right, the double standard is definitely there because he is a gay man. I think the strong reaction he has received has been more out of homophobia than anything else, which is a real shame. The fact that this country is so prude doesn’t seem to help either. I sort of like how unapologetic he is. “I’m an entertainer, not a babysitter” is absolutely right. Parents ultimately have the responsibility to talk to their children about sex. The only people who are outraged by his performance are those who feel that (gay) sex is a taboo subject, and feel as if they were unfairly put into an uncomfortable position. Maybe if we were less ashamed of our bodies and sexual activity (a normal, healthy part of life), we could have a more open dialogue and learn to prevent REAL problems related to sexual health, like HIV, STDs, or teen pregnancy. Making a big deal out of censoring these kinds of things only makes the subject more taboo, which does not do us any good.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I don’t like Adam Lambert…but this is so ridiculous. Why is the media so two faced?
November 25th, 2009 at 11:54 am
He sounds so good here! luv it!
November 25th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
He sounds great and that’s all that matters. The focus should be on his singing!! Who cares who he kisses or whatever. There’s so many homophobic people out there it’s ridiculous. Adam Lambert is incredibly talented and I can’t wait to see what he does in the future!
November 25th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I don’t understand why people compare the whole kiss with Britney and Madonna. I mean, yeah, I get it but they act like they didn’t get any scrutiny. Britney got all the backlash while Madonna didn’t whatsoever…Britney was called an unfit role model, trashy, whore, slut, and everything else, you name it. I know a lot of people accepted it MORE than this whole Adam Lambert thing which is a double standard indeed.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I saw it this morning, he did a great job singing…I might just have to pick up his new album!
November 25th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I think the issues at hand here are 1) Americans are much more comfortable with female homosexuality than male homosexuality, and 2) Adam IS actually gay, whereas Britney/Madonna/Christina aren’t. But yeah, agreed, this is ridiculous.
November 25th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
The difference between the Madonna/Brit kiss and Adam’s kiss, is that Brit and Madge are not gay so it couldn’t really mean anything. Right? Adam is gay and horror of horror’s, we couldn’t watch a true to life guy on guy kiss on cable TV, now could we? I truly believe that these shows are so scared to lose the bible belt viewer, that this is a consideration for them. There is still a long road ahead for acceptance and equality. I remain hopeful though and acts like Adam’s will seem so tame in 10 years, we will wonder what all the fuss is about.
November 25th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Ugggh, I can’t stand how sexist and homophobic people still are.
It’s the 21st century! Jesus Christ, grow up. People kiss. Every. Single. Day.
Adam did a really good job on CBS this morning though! I’m glad he’s focusing on his singing again instead of shock value. I get the point he’s trying to make, he has such a great voice- seems a shame to waste it.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Yeah it doesnt make any sense. Double standard indeed. I understand them censoring the BJ simulation and crotch-grabbing… but there is absolutely nothing wrong or salacious about two men kissing.
People kiss. What’s the big deal? Talk about useless censorship.
On a different note, he sounded great!
November 25th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
See, I like Adam. His music might not be my cup of tea, but he seems like a nice guy. As a fellow gay, I want him to do well. I’m just saddened that he chose to go about it this way. Considering all the hoopla regarding OUT magazine and how he said he wanted to be known for his music….to then take his first, major post-Idol performance and fill it all these “tricks” seems a complete contradiction. I wasn’t really offended by the simulated BJ (we’ve seen worse)….and the kiss could’ve been done differently. It just seemed forceful and a bit of overkill. What really offended me was the singing…I’m sorry, but it was terrible.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
I adore Adam to bits, i want him to be successful so bad! He is so talented and looks like the type of celebrity who would give you an autograph or a hug when the cameras weren’t rolling.
As for the controversy…it has people talking about him but i dont know if its good or not. Hopefully this wont destroy him, just give him enough publicity so he doesn’t fade away so fast
November 25th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Adam really handled the interview well, especially where he pointed out some of the other bits in the AMA show that didn’t get a peep of a complaint. He sounded hella good too.
Wtf at CBS though for editing one and not the other. I noticed that at the time. That is just bananas. Kudos to Adam though. I also am glad he refused to apologize to his “kid” fans and their parents. That was just a ridiculous question on the interviewers part.
November 25th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
His singing was great! I’m glad he was focused and had the good sense to admit his AMA performance wasn’t the best, but hey, we all have down days right? I can’t wait to get his album. And PS-the end of the second video where he’s greeting fans is adorable!
November 25th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I don’t think it was the kiss that was the problem with them. . . most likley the rubbing somones face in his crotch and then fingering a girl on stage. I am not sure if all time zones saw that.
And yes he needed to focus more on his sining than trying to shock everyone with his stage show.
November 25th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I don’t get why they would blur the kissing? People just need to get over it – there’s no difference between a man kissing a woman or a woman kissing a woman or a man kissing a man. But shoving the face of someone of either gender into your crotch during a prime time TV performance is just inappropriate.
He can say he was just “acting in the moment,” but I don’t believe him. That was planned out and rehearsed without ABC’s knowledge and now he’s acting like he’s shocked by the controversy when the whole point was to stir up controversy. Sigh. Oh, Adam LAMEbert. When the only thing you’re famous for is finishing second on a reality TV show, you should probably focus a little more on wowing people with your vocal skills.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
OMG!
seriously,know one thought the kiss was SEXI!
ughhhh,i feel sooo crazy!
November 26th, 2009 at 7:40 am
@ jess & erin. you both said exactly what I was thinking! The kiss wasn’t the problem. I don’t care who kisses who…..I can get guy on guy kissy-face action watching Brothers & Sisters. But the crotch-meets-face extravaganza was too much, no matter if the face were male or female.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:18 am
This is insane. Equality is a joke in this world. I am not laughing.
November 26th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I have to say, I’m the most open-minded, “live and let live” person out there, and have been obsessed with and a fan of Adam Lambert from the start, but even I thought this performance was RIDICULOUS. What I’m offended by is AL’s comment that he’s “shocked” he got this reaction. No he’s not. He’s reveling in all the press and controversy. He strives to be Madonna, Gaga – so is simply following their lead – completely unoriginal. And because he was thrashing around the stage in such a ridiculous manner, I couldn’t even hear his vocals very well – the thing I actually TIVO’d the whole damn awards show to hear.
I also take offense in his “double standard” comments. Female pop stars get away with it BECAUSE of being objectified as sex objects for years and years. Don’t FAULT them that and turn it around that it’s not fair. That’s like saying “hey, she was fired for being blonde, I want to be fired too!” Somewhat of an exaggeration – but you get my point.
He lost MAJOR points with me for all of this. Oh, and Trent, while I love you and your blog…are you forgetting that there WAS HOOPLA surrounding Britney/Madonna kiss? Are you kidding me???? Janet/Justin ring a bell either?
Thanks for the opportunity to say my peice!
November 27th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Has anyone seen the news that GMA booked Chris Brown right after cancelling AL? He will appear in a week or so on the show for an interview and performance.
I guess women beaters aren’t as big of a risk.
God, I hope at least 1,500 angry people complain about this. Apparently that is the standard.
November 29th, 2009 at 5:22 am
He gaved good awnsers and showed what he really mean with his performance . And he sounded really good in his songs , so it was a positive appearance , I think (:
People are being ridiculous about his “controversy” performance on AMA’s . If some of that people see the interviews after his show , I think they would all understand better what he did ! And I totally agree when he says that other artists did stuff like that, that he’s not a babysitter and that this all controversy is because he’s a gay male .
C’mon people , you may not like him , but he is amazing (at least is what I think) :D
November 29th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
let’s be serious, he definitely did this for the attention. i have no problem seeing two guys or two girls kissing, and i am a straight female. but if he really wanted to show his talent, he could have done SO much more with the song and the basic theme of it. instead, he did a lot of provocative things on stage, which unless he is an idiot, knew that that’s all that people would talk about.
i agree that the kiss isn’t what threw me off, it was the groping of private parts that really was just tasteless, and bad for a family oriented channel such as ABC. he needs to learn his audience.