Oh Adam, Adam, Adam, what are we going to do with you?
After Adam Lambert’s “any-crotch-goes performance” on ABC’s American Music Awards, they said goodbye to his Good Morning America appearance the next morning. And that was just the beginning.
How do you solve the problem of Adam? You don't. Fixing one only creates another. Putting him in a competition gets him scrutinized, putting him in the spotlight offends people, offending people loses him a gig, losing him a gig garners him another, white-washing the coverage sparks new outrage, and if all that were not enough, ABC books convicted felon, woman-beating Chris Brown, even moving him from GMA to prime-time 20/20, after firing Adam for kissing someone.
And now, Disney/ABC is working to revise their contract language (“call it the Lambert clause”) to hold performers accountable for their unrehearsed embellishments during performance. ABC has not (yet) nixed Adam’s scheduled appearance on Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009 special, airing Wed. December 9, 10/9c on ABC, and they’d be screwy to do so, after contributing so heavily to his fascination factor. For all their trouble, at least they'll get to reap the ratings rewards.
George Washington once hand-copied a 16th century French Jesuit text, 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, the 1st being: Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present. The 2nd is: When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered. And the 3rd: Show Nothing to your Friend that may affright him.
Adam didn’t get that memo — or flipped it off. “All hail freedom of expression and artistic integrity,” he tweeted after the AMA show. Hey, who’s not for that? Anybody can do anything flying that flag. But there’s a time and a place and you need to acknowledge the context. I’ll write a porno if I damn well please, but I won’t submit it to Highlights for Children. I know better.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - maria
LOVE HIM.. I would never miss an apearance from ADAM
2 - Kerry
I love Adams music. I was horrified by the AMA performance but the main horrific part of it for me was the horrendous vocal. Adam is one of the most gifted performers I have ever heard. Ifi had never heard him before the AMA I doubt that I would have been interested in hearing any more of his music. To me that's the sad part. He could have won over many new fans. Instead he alienated more than a few including the fans he already had. Such a shame. His performances since reflect his awesome voice and charisma. I hope he is able to make up the ground he lost but the public has a long memory. Dixie chicks anyone?
3 - Janina
I loved AMAs. Your post would be more believable if you were bothered by females sexual antics on that stage BEFORE 22 pm. Sorry. Sometimes US people are so unbelievable prudish and double standards indeed. In europe this "ourage" is getting ABC being mocked as silly hypocrites
4 - sara
Put me in the LOVE HIM category!
5 - Chris
I did not rush out to buy his album after seeing his AMA performance, but I gotta admit, aside Gaga, he's the only one entertaining that night. I was so bored out my fucking mind before that.
I don't know about ladies, buy I think any guys freaked out over his crotch action bunch of hypocrites. Come on, every guy I know has seen and seeked out things much dirtier than that.
6 - Elizabeth
LOOOOOOOOOOOVE HIMMMMMMMMMMMM. Music was so boring before Adam. We are all "Going Down the Rabbit Hole" together.
7 - Lynn
Love this article. It is refreshing. Adam has reflected and realized he went over the top. He is a true talent, with a kind heart. Read some of his interviews. He lent his name to Donors.org and raised over $200,000 for children's programs, while he was on the AI tour. His cd is creative and every song is a winner. It's time for radio airplay.
8 - mary
I love him, who cares if dont like him, he is the number 3 today in the billboard Ja ja jajajaja.
9 - bogie
Sure Fire Winners and Fever KICK ASS!
10 - Andrea
Yes, but what about his music ? What about his TALENT ? That's what should be drawing the media's attention. He is a MAJOR new star with a just-out CD which is a masterpiece. Shouldn't we be focusing on that ?
By the way, the "finger" at the end was not flipping off the audience, but the OUT magazine editor and others that have criticized him unfairly. Should he have done it then when it might be mis-interpreted ? No, he's admitted that. The pressure finally got to him and he made a couple bad judgments. Let's move on.
11 - zcatz
Adams CD is THE BEST to come out in years! He is super talented & a very nice guy. I love him!!!!!!
12 - mariana
LOVE HIM! LOVE HIS MUSIC!
Yes, he is a crazy sweet angel and this is what makes the whole difference between ADAM and the REST!
13 - YR
AWESOME article...exactly spoke my mind! Adam always claimed he is also a "businessman", but I guess he "forgot" that part of him for the AMA, like he "forgot" that was the first TV appearance post-Idol(right). Still love him though and it looks like he'll survive...pending Barbara Walter's grilling.
14 - ScorpioBSB
LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!
15 - Sherry
I absolutely LOVE this man! His voice is truly amazing, which you NEVER get in pop music anymore, and he didn't do anything worse than any of the female performers did. I have seen videos of his performances with The Zodiac Show, which are amazing, and sat with my mom thru 2 hours or straight boredom waiting for him to grace the stage during the AI tour this past summer for 20 minutes. And that was the best 20 minutes of my 26 year long life! I can't wait to see him on tour and I hope this incident doesn't cause him to tone down those performances. The vocals were HORRIBLE on the AMAs but I thought the performace was HOT. Adam has rocked my world (thank god I GET IT) and keep being YOU ADAM!!! DONT CONFORM!!!! I have been thoroughly entertained....
16 - adamaniac85
Adam is super amazing. Although I would have loved to hear his incredable vocals that night FYE is more of an intertainment song than one to show off vocals. For anyone who doubts his vocal talent I say buy the cd and you will be blown away. Soaked, Aftermath, Pick You Up totally show off how perfect he can sing. Love Love Love him.
17 - scrabblequeenbe
Thanks for the information on the shows that Adam will be on. Now, I know what not to watch. Has anyone ever heard of Sodom and Gomorrah? Can this world of ungodly people be far behind? I don't think so.
18 - cacatua
We only watched the AMA's to see Adam, which of course ended up being the whole show. It was like torture - the whole show stunk, more or less. Then there was Adam's performance - hmmmmmmm. One friend thought his performance was a hoot simply because when Adam rolled he could hear the mike going clun-clunk-clunk, which proved that he was actually singing live. A comedy of errors, I guess. The best thing I can say about his singing was that it was not autotuned, like on the CD version. I have enjoyed him singing WWFM in his appearances since the AMA debacle much more, and I thought your article was a good one!
19 - carla
Thanks for this write-up. I love Adam's CD. I pray that he will be big in the US so he can also be big in the world. He is now making headlines in some part of Europe,Asia and NZ. The guy has talent, charisma and is so adorable. As far as i am concern, he has nothing to apologize to.
@ Adam - your fans love so. We will always support you.
20 - Katelynn
Adam can at least back up his button pushing with some talent. Vocally he is stellar, although not at the AMAs. He should do well if his label can find a hit off his album and there are quite a few possibilities. As for those who were offended by the AMA performance, people have short memories and tend to be forgiving. I'm sure there are some who have crossed him off their list permanently but they probably wouldn't have liked him under any circumstances.
21 - Rosie
Hey Ax - nice job as always. ;o)
I'm with you - I can't get enough and a couple of rookie mistakes aren't going to make me send him down to the farm team. Talent like his is rare indeed.
I'll take "adore him" please.
22 - littleblackdress
What a pleasure to read such a thoughtful piece on this challenging, uber-talented new artist -- you didn't sugar-coat, but were honest and respectful. Thank you!!
(p.s. I love his new album and the official FYE video [a much different tone than the AMA interpretation], and can't wait to see him live many times in the future.)
23 - murly
I think it's interesting that you said this: "But there’s a time and a place and you need to acknowledge the context. I’ll write a porno if I damn well please, but I won’t submit it to Highlights for Children. I know better." Adam performed on the AMAs, not Sesame Street. Anyone who didn't notice the adult content on that show (Janet's crotch grab, Lady Gaga's whiskey bottles, Rihanna's rifles, Eminem's rape mentions) shouldn't be complaining if they stayed tune for Adam.
24 - :Lysette
The article may be a bit more credible if the author had bothered to do their research and would have therefore known that the finger, and indeed the whole reason for the "embellishments" to the performance, was aimed at the Editor of Out magazine who had spent the best part of the previous week criticising Adam around the net, culminating in an open letter accusing him of not being "gay enough" and being a "record company puppet".
25 - StarLight
Adam is the best singer and entertainer in decades, I even got an iPod just to be able to listen to him whenever I want. He is magic and he is such a sweet,beautiful soul. Yes,let's move on, he has been grilled enough, admited he made a bad choice , it's crazy that America can't seem to let go of this bashing,making it so important ,get over it, I have seen way more risque performances and on ABC too,Adam has nothing to apologize for, Rock on Adam, you have so many fans that love you. You are wonderful!!