"ABC disinvites Adam Lambert from Jimmy Kimmel, New Year's Eve. What next? Public shaming as public-

[Metric System]

relations strategy?"

by Michael Slezak

Look, I wasn’t a huge fan of Adam Lambert’s now infamous American Music Awards set — the groping and kissing and simulated fellatio seemed more cynical than sexy to me, and Adam admitted himself (in the video embedded below) that his vocal was “kind of a mess” — but from the subsequent fallout at ABC, you’d think the guy had crushed a trio of baby penguins under the heel of one of his fabulous platform boots. I mean, it seemed a wee overzealous when the network pulled the plug on Adam’s Good Morning America concert a few days after the AMAs, but yesterday’s news that the network has now canceled Lambert’s Dec. 17 Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance, and according to Lambert, a slot on Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve, has advanced the situation to the point of the ridiculous. (“We decided not to move forward with the booking at this time,” a network spokesperson said of the Kimmel cancellation, while declining comment on NYRE, which, incidentally, has yet to announce its lineup.) Let’s keep in mind that ABC is the home of allegedly family-friendly Dancing With the Stars, where popular pro Derek Hough celebrated a win this past season in the “Group Mambo” round by forcibly thrusting partner Joanna Krupa’s head into his nether-regions. (Lambert fans are also dismayed that their man has become a possible FCC pariah despite the fact that Pink and a male dancer executed a similar “please come closer and examine my zipper” dance move — with tongue! — during the 2004 Billboard Music Awards on Fox.)

More at link:
http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/12/03/adam-lambert-jimmy-kimmel-abc-hmph/

From the comments section:

"I am sure glad my kids didn’t see the smut him and all the rest put on stage. A hard, open mouth man-man kiss is enough to turn me away for good. 10-15 years ago this dude would have been lynched for his disgusting performance."

Ah, the good old days!

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. ABC is turning into the most right wing media corporation on the planet

Give 'em two more years and they'll put Murdoch to shame. And at least Rupert saves most of the blatant shilling for his news division (with "24" being the obvious exception) ABC wants to apply their conservative bullshit across the board (see that horrible "V" remake, for instance)

[pansypoo53219]

2. i didn't watch what AL did 1st.

did he fuck somebody on stage?

[roguevalley]

11. just about. it was not good. and he could have done better. it seemed

just cheap and sad to me. He can sing and entertain but he fucked it up. People were really waiting to see him and he just looked vegas lounge.

[orwell]

3. Scarlet Letter?

Public flogging?

The stocks?

Adam will do fine, despite the haters.

[Metric System]

4. More info:

***The "FCC heat" comes from a complaint filed by Liberty Counsel on Nov. 24 against ABC, demanding that the network pay a financial penalty "for airing such an outrageously lewd and filthy performance during a show and time period that is targeted for family audiences."

In the complaint, Liberty contends that Lambert's Nov. 22 performance was both obscene and indecent and urges that the FCC take action against ABC. Liberty Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm that is closely tied to the late Rev. Jerry Falwell's Liberty University and provides legal assistance in defense of "Christian religious liberty, the sanctity of human life and the traditional family."

Although ABC did receive about 1,500 complaints from viewers about Lambert's highly sexualized performance, dozens of Lambert fans have been complaining about ABC's decision to cancel Lambert's "Good Morning America" interview and now the "Kimmel" performance. Many of those critics say Lambert is being targeted because he is a gay male, as Janet Jackson, who opened the American Music Awards, grabbed the crotch of a male dancer and went unscathed by critics.

The director of cultural affairs for Liberty Counsel told The Times today that his firm was not aware of Jackson's performance.

"The issue is not so much about homosexuality, although I believe the preponderance of Americans find public hyper-sexualized acts of homosexuality particularly off-putting," Matt Barber said.***

More at link:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/12/even-though-lambert-was-received-well-last-week-for-his-performances-on-the-early-show-and-the-ellen-degeneres-show-abc-has-o.html

[FreeState]

8. 10:55pm is not a "time period that is targeted for family audiences" good grief... n/t

[LeftyMom]

18. They asked people in the Central or Mountain time zone (I forget which) to complain because it aired

an hour earlier there and thus was technically still a family viewing hour.

[saracat]

5. What people don't get is this is about censorship pure and simple.

SONY, Disney , ABC and RCA are one company really and all product coming out from them, including news is regulated.Adam didn't have a chance with his own record company and management as part of the pool. Now, with fans picking up all the other ahem questionable moments on ABC. Liberty will look around to other networks as well and this will spread like a fikrestorm. And the Christian RW will triumph again.

[Metric System]

6. The involvement of the Falwell disciples sure has me fired up and pissed off.

[Jamastiene]

7. I never thought I would say this, but

Fuck ABC. I'm boycotting them now.

[Fearless]

9. Too bad.

Granted, I think his performance sucked from a vocal standpoint, granted that's neither here nor there.

[Metric System]

10. GLAAD Backs ABC's Decision to Can Lambert

Posted Dec 3rd 2009 5:30PM by TMZ Staff

Adam Lambert's sexual orientation had nothing to do with ABC's decision to can him from two upcoming gigs on their network ... it was all because he can't stick to a script -- at least that's what ABC and GLAAD would like you to believe.

The nation's most outspoken gay rights group just released a statement in support of ABC's decision to boot Lambert from "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and an upcoming New Year's Eve special in the wake of his AMA performance -- the one with the man-on-man kiss.

ABC sent a statement to GLAAD, explaining how Adam's removal was "not a question of Lambert's sexual orientation" but was instead because his live performance at the AMAs differed "greatly" from rehearsals and "caught the network off guard" -- which is justification for dropping him from other live shows.

Today, GLAAD backed ABC's explanation saying, "It would appear that the kiss between Adam Lambert and his keyboardist did not factor into ABC's decision ... ABC has a history of positive gay and transgender inclusion that includes featuring kisses between gay and lesbian couples on-air."

For the record, neither Adrien Brody nor Halle Berry were banned from appearing on any ABC shows after their "unscripted" make-out session at the 2003 Academy Awards.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/03/glaad-backs-abcs-decision-to-can-lambert/#ixzz0Yg9IarTK

Should somebody inform GLAAD that Jimmy Kimmel Live, despite it's title, is NOT a live show? It's taped earlier in the evening. Something is not adding up here. And could GLAAD be any more spineless, sniveling and pathetic? That dog has not bite.

[Metric System]

12. GLAAD clarifies:

"Since his American Music Awards performance occurred GLAAD has consistently advocated that Adam Lambert and openly gay artists not be held to a double standard. As we have expressed publicly, it is disappointing that ABC will not give Lambert a chance to perform at this time. GLAAD’s discussions with ABC focused on confirming that his sexual orientation was not a factor in their decisions. ABC confirmed this is not about a same-sex kiss or his sexual orientation but about being “caught off guard.” GLAAD asked ABC and calls on them for clarification on 'caught off guard' so that the community knows why Lambert is being denied the opportunity to perform on the network."

Considering GLAAD issued a clarification it must be receiving some heat for the original statement.

[imdjh]

14. SO it's not because he's gay, it's because ABC was caught "off guard" by him being gay.

I is cornfused. The suggestion is what? That if he deviates from the script in this way then it's no time until he blowing Aladdin in the parade at Disney?

[Metric System]

17. GLAAD Issues YET ANOTHER statement. Seriously, lol!

***GLAAD Urges Community to Contact ABC Over Cancellation
of Adam Lambert’s Performances

“We appreciate ABC’s commitment to gay and transgender inclusion in other programming,” said Jarrett Barrios, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “However, let us be clear that GLAAD remains steadfast in our assertion that Adam Lambert is being subjected to a double standard by ABC as an openly gay performer. We do not support ABC cancelling Adam Lambert’s past and future performances. We urge the community to reach out to ABC and express their concerns that Adam Lambert is being subjected to a double standard.”

ABC Contact Information:
Brad Jamison, Vice President of Corporate Communications, [e-mail]

ABC line for viewer concerns: [phone]

This week ABC announced that Adam Lambert’s performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve were cancelled.

Patrick Preblick, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Publicity: [e-mail] / [phone]

Aime Wolfe, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Publicity: [e-mail] / [phone]

http://www.glaad.org/Page.aspx?pid=1137***

This is the THIRD statement GLAAD has released. What is wrong with this organization and why can't it stick to a position? Even worse, many media outlets have already ran with their first statement backing ABC.

[imdjh]

13. The problem is the combination of a really bad show and the anti-gay reaction.

Adam's number at that awards show was dreadful. It was a 20 year old Madonna number in drag gone wrong. Which is why the homophobia is easier to fly on this one. Had that been a knock out number, people would respond to the homophobes "Oh shut up." but instead, they mostly don't care because they won't see it as killing a big talent that needs to go far.

[Metric System]

15. He IS talented. I don't normally watch Idol but even I was intrigued by him. The reviews for his CD

have been good too. Even he has admitted that his vocals weren't good during the AMA performance. In fact, I was more shocked by that than the actual routine. The criticism I would give is that he allowed the spectacle to overshadow his excellent vocal ability. As a matter of fact, his vocals during post-AMA performances have been flawless. So I would argue that he is a big talent that needs to go far. And the fact that he's an openly gay new pop star is icing on the cake. Just my opinion. Although music veterans like Brian May (of Queen) and Rob Halford have also praised him.

[imdjh]

16. He needs a vehicle.

He was made to front Queen, but I don't know if that's an aspiration for such a young person. Surely he wants to make his own mark, but he could do a lot worse than to be known as the guy who revived Queen.


Wanna hear someone else who's amazing?

Stuart Matthew Price

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exvbjczw9ho

[Dreamsoldier76]

19. ABC hypocrits

I guess its too bad that Adam Lambert isnt as morally upstanding as the murderous lying backstabbing Desperate Housewives, or the womanizing man whore on Castle. ABC has tv programs with all kinds of sleazy people doing horrible things to others, and yet somehow Adam Lamberts performance is just too much for them!! I didnt see ABC getting self righteous when Sheri on The View made Trans-bashing statements about younger kids who cross dress or when Elizabeth Hasslebeck implies that Obama is a terrorist.

[sui generis]

20. yes but 10 - 15 years later we will hunt that lynch party down

one by one, so if you god fearing homophobes are longing for the good old days you would have a prettier looking corpse if you flung your self into oncoming rush hour traffic than if you tried that shit.

Good fucking grief - that one probably didn't have an issue with Matthew Shepherd hanging on a fence - you know, give faggots the death penalty for "flaunting" it.

____
And about Adam . . . sometimes less is more kiddo. Cavemen don't require subtlety, but the viewing audience are mostly NOT cavemen, and a lack of subtlety is just not very artistic. Hungary and Slovakia Artistic Impression: 1.2