Adam Lambert closed out last night’s American Music Awards show with a performance that may have left viewers wondering if they were watching ABC or the S&M network. (If there is such a thing.)His performance of his song “For Your Entertainment” included feeling up one of the dancers in the … er … crotch, overt S&M references, and a full on male/male kiss. Generally not unusual for today’s rock performers, but …Seriously? On prime time television?As regular readers know I can’t stand watching awards shows. I’d rather clean the litter box. But if this is an example of what I missed last night, I’m glad Murphy has clean litter and I went to bed early.I get that Adam Lambert is a talented singer. And clearly he’s great on stage. Personable, entertaining, engaging. From a talent perspective, sure, I’m a fan.But he – like many other artists from Madonna to Britney – just takes things way too far. It’s not that he’s gay, so save the discrimination accusations. It’s that his performance was totally inappropriate for prime time TV. The FCC has regulations during what is known as the family hours for a reason. Save that performance for his live tour. It’s not a gender/orientation thing. It’s about being … well, polite. But what did you think of Lambert’s performance last night?Got a gospel or Christian music news tip? Send me an email!Click here to subscribe to Gospel Soundcheck by email and have the Gospel Soundcheck headlines delivered daily to your email inbox. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter!
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posted November 23, 2009 at 11:08 am
If this is what ABC thinks is entertainment, then I am no longer watching ABC. It was a pre-recorded segment, so they knew ALL about it. It’s time the FCC did something aside from showing that they are pawns of the industry.
posted November 23, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I think he was kissing a femme, not a guy, actually. (I don’t care, but it all seemed so forced and stupid.)
It was just baaaaad. The costumes were silly, fake shock attempt, stunted choreography. BLECCH.
What a bad song. I’m not sure if what he himself did was any worse than Elvis ever did on TV – i just thought the whole number was tasteless.
I was more “offended” by the Miley Cyrus stripper pole dance on prime-time TV and her Dad standing up and applauding that.
My general feeling about this one was just, BLECCH.
Thanks for posting, Joanne – I’m a fan of Adam, too, but this seemed not worthy of him. On so many levels.
posted November 23, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Lambert was certainly controversial, and might even be a good performer. But as a singer, Joanne, I have to wonder what you mean by talent? His voice is thin, and he doesn’t have fantastic control over it.
Beau – you complain about ABC, but seriously, events like these happen because you and I don’t put our feet down and scream for more arts funding in the schools. Without any knowledge of what music is supposed to sound like, people go for the flash instead – a favorite line amongst my friends is “if you can’t dazzle ‘em with brilliance, baffle ‘em with BS.” Adam Lambert is a whole bunch of BS. And since most viewers of the AMA’s have rarely heard what a singer with fantastic control sounds like, this becomes the thing that ABC has to put on to get people to talk about in the morning.
posted November 23, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Lambert was certainly controversial, and might even be a good performer. But as a singer, Joanne, I have to wonder what you mean by talent? His voice is thin, and he doesn’t have fantastic control over it.
Beau – you complain about ABC, but seriously, events like these happen because you and I don’t put our feet down and scream for more arts funding in the schools. Without any knowledge of what music is supposed to sound like, people go for the flash instead – a favorite line amongst my friends is “if you can’t dazzle ‘em with brilliance, baffle ‘em with BS.” Adam Lambert is a whole bunch of BS. And since most viewers of the AMA’s have rarely heard what a singer with fantastic control sounds like, this becomes the thing that ABC has to put on to get people to talk about in the morning.
posted November 23, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Paul, I can understand why ppl like his voice. It’s definitely not my style of music, but he can sing.
That performance? Good grief! What was ABC thinking???
I talked to a producer once who said that if you want to affect change on TV, don’t write to the network, write to the ADVERTISERS. They actually take those letters from consumers seriously. So send a letter to every advertiser of the show; that’s time better spent than just boycotting ABC.
Joanne
host of the Gospel Soundcheck blog
posted November 23, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I won’t watch Adam Lambert.
Etc., etc..
posted November 24, 2009 at 7:20 am
Dear Trojan condoms company,
I won’t watch the commercials that run where Adam Lambert perfoms because I won’t be watching Adam Lambert.
Etc., etc..
Sincerely,
A guy that supports condom distribution in schools.
P.S. Lambert’s culture looks more bareback anyway.
posted November 24, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I try not to be a music snob anymore, with varying results. But Adam seems like a nice guy.
posted December 10, 2009 at 12:16 pm
If Mr Lambert wants to sing, then he should sing. If he wants to make porn, then he is in the wrong business. That was not intertainment. It was the product of a very unhappy psyche. There is a time and place, and obviously that little boy has not learned the meaning of good taste, maturity, and common sense. He has taken the Pride out of Gay. He has thrown the Gay community back 20 years with that performance. How can the Gay community be taken seriously with that kind of idiotic, distasteful, sorry exhibitionism. If he wants the attention that much, then any street corner will do. I am not Gay, but if I were I would be very angry that people would get the idea that he is what it means to be Gay. Hes gotten it utterly and completely wrong.
posted July 9, 2010 at 11:12 am
If Adam Lambert’s show shouldn’t be shown then lets not show the female singers that run around naked and crawling up some guys leg.
Even though his performance may have been distasteful, look at him now. Great talent and loved by many. Love him and the gay community, and I’m not gay.