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Adam Lambert upsets everyone by being Adam Lambert
So gender-bending “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert went all Adam Lambert on us and … people are surprised?
As they like to say on SNL’s Weekend Update these days, “really?”
Put aside for a moment that the song, “For Your Entertainment,” was horrible (and is that what you really want to call your tune? You know you’re just begging for the kind of short-retort review “Spinal Tap” got for their fictional “Shark Sandwich” album, right?) and that the vocals were screechy and bad; I think there’s more than a little homophobia involved in the outrage over the performance, including the 1,500 plus complaints ABC received.
Much of the uproar focuses on two segments of the cartoon-goofy, S&M-themed, bad-dinner-theater-ish presentation: Lambert’s open-mouthed kissing of a male backing musician and brief, simulated oral sex with a male dancer.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m not defending the posturing Lambert, who prowled around the stage looking like the love child of young Elvis and old Boy George (while acting like the spawn of David Lee Roth and the Marquis de Sade). But the insinuation that this number was offensive to straight America completely glosses over the point that this performance should have been offensive to everybody.
There were a number of half-naked, hyper-sexualized women pawing Lambert throughout the number, too. Where’s the outrage over that? One scantily-clad, orgasmically-writhing dancer was working two, count ‘em, two stripper poles — Miley Cyrus, were you watching? I think you just got served.
Call me a prude: I’m glad my kids weren’t watching … but not because of the “gay” stuff. None of the overtly sexual aspects of last night’s American Music Awards was appropriate for an ABC show to which most viewers probably tuned in order to see Taylor Swift make an acceptance speech or three without being interrupted by Kanye West.
The true shame of the whole debacle is that Lambert, who more or less wholesomely and playfully batted at sexual identity issues during his “American Idol” run (occasionally pulling off some tasteful and impressive vocal gymnastics and igniting many thoughtful discussions about gender), probably turned off a lot of his own fans last night. At the very least, I’m certain he alienated any fence-sitters he was beginning to win over. Because his song — filled with lyrical challenges to conventionality and promises/threats of shocking behavior (Lambert seems about as threatening as a kitten) — just seemed so calculated and … desperate.
I guess the real question is how many CDs it helps him to sell.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment Categories: Entertainment, Random thoughts
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By shirley young
December 7, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this
Adam was wrong with his show on AMA but he is young and has a lot to learn. I don't think they should have cancelled his shows. He is talented and has alot to offer to the music business..and to his fan. I am not gay but will buy his C.D.I was his fan on Idiol and will stand behind him now.I can forgive him for one wrong mistake and not turn my back on him.I love his music and think he will go far...Give him a break
By latisse
November 24, 2009 7:48 PM | Link to this
nice
By Lisa Ide
November 24, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
@nunya Yes, she will see it no doubt BUT I didn't give the nets the ratings for it. Which is the primary way they sell advertising (and in turn the primary way they pay for things like this). So in the end, I voted with my dollar and will continue to vote with my dollar in the future by NOT buying albums, etc.
By nunya
November 24, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
The performance was horrible. But, how is it any different than what Madonna has been doing for years? That said, it is a marketing gimmick. He is now appearing on all sorts of talk shows. And Lisa, your daughter will see it, it's all over the web. You can babysit her on the computer all you want, but one of her friends will show her the video on their mobile phone at school.
By Lucas
November 24, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this
I enjoyed Adam on American Idol, but his performance was awful on the AMA's. He seemed to have spent more time getting down the timing of this theatrics rather than his vocals. His singing ended up being more shocking than the softcore porn on stage...
By Jill
November 23, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this
What Lambert did was disgusting and NOT “artistic”, it was filth. Shame on ABC for airing it. Take that trash to your bedroom Adam! I will NEVER buy his music. Americans should have higher standards! Rhianas noise (not music!) gave me a headache, so did Lady GagMe! Alicia Keys and Carrie Underwood- wonderful- they showed true CLASSY entertainment and REAL music talent.
By Dale Roe
November 23, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this
Hi, Lisa! There's been a lot of chatter that this performance was so over-the-top because Lambert wanted to respond to those claims about his management and the "Out" mag issue. I guess I'm a cynic, but I see it all as a marketing ploy. If you whip up a controversy and then address it, you get twice the publicity. There's a reason it's called show "business," right?
By Lisa Ide
November 23, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
My teenage daughters wanted to watch for Taylor Swift but we got busy at the last minute and missed it--and I'm so glad. My 13 yo liked him on American Idol and I'm glad she didn't see it. And it will definitely play into whether or not I'm going to let her buy his music (I'm not).
I do find the whole thing a bit ironic though considering this the same guy recently interviewed for "Out" whose management didn't want him to appear "too gay". *sigh* http://www.afterelton.com/people/2009/11/adam-lambert-aaron-hicklin