Editor’s Note: This story contains references to objectionable adult material.
A legal organization that often represents family interests in the culture war has notified the Federal Communications Commission it wants an investigation – and a fine – for ABC for Adam Lambert’s American Music Awards stunts that featured simulated sex and a provocative man-on-man kiss.
“The performance by Adam Lambert clearly crossed the line,” said Anita Staver, president of Florida-based Liberty Counsel.
 Adam Lambert kissing his male keyboard player on the American Music Awards program on ABC (ABC) |
“ABC should be held accountable for airing this indecent and offensive performance. ABC promoted Lambert’s performance to boost its ratings. Now ABC should have to pay a hefty penalty to the FCC for assaulting its viewers with a debased performance by Adam Lambert,” she said today.
As WND reported, the openly homosexual Lambert, who previously appeared on “American Idol,” shocked the American Music Awards audience Sunday night by shoving a dance team member’s face into his crotch and delivering a passionate on-stage kiss to his male keyboard player.
The performance of his new song, “For Your Entertainment,” marked his first public appearance since his “American Idol” competition loss to Kris Allen.
AdAge reported the Disney-owned ABC received 1,500 complaints from people upset with the performance.
And in a written statement, Dick Clark Productions, which is responsible for the show, said, “Due to the live nature of the show, we did not expect the impromptu moment in question.”
But Liberty Counsel said show producers could have prevented it from being aired.
“Prior to going on-air, Lambert explained that his motive went beyond performing,” the organization said. “According to the Associated Press, Lambert ‘wanted to break down a double standard that existed where female performers are often sexually provocative while men don’t do it that often.’
“ABC’s reaction was to promote Lambert’s indecent acts,” the legal organization said. “While the network edited portions of another performer’s number for the West Coast’s viewing, only one small portion of Lambert’s performance was removed. ABC actually teased and touted the rest of his actions as ‘what everyone will be talking about tomorrow.’
“This shows that it was Lambert’s obscene sexual conduct, not his vocal performance, that ABC used to promote its show,” the group said.
Other fallout included a decision by ABC’s “Good Morning America” to drop a scheduled appearance by Lambert.
According to TVNewser, there was concern “about airing a similar concert so early in the morning.”
The Parents Television Council, a media watchdog organization, also suggested to its constituency that they contact not only ABC and Dick Clark Productions, but the show’s advertisers, too.
The Clark company also prevented people from further reviewing Lambert’s actual stage stunts by placing a “copyright claim” on a YouTube video of the performance that included the lyrics “Hold on until it’s over. Can you handle what I’m about to do. It’s about to get rough with you.”
Afterwards, Lambert was defiant about his performance, but viewers were not necessarily sympathetic. One observer described the performance as a “modern Sodom.” On an immediate New York Daily News poll asking, “Do you think Adam went too far with his performance?” two out of three respondents agreed.
Sixty-four percent said, “It was unnecessary and inappropriate for television.” Only 24 percent said, “He took a risk and did something different that was worth watching.” Another 12 percent said the show would have been more appropriate for cable television.
Lambert’s provocative performance began with him dragging a leather-and-fishnet-clad dancer across the stage.
Wearing eye makeup and a pompadour, he then grabbed the head of a male dancer and pulled him into his crotch.
He broke off his gyrations long enough for a long kiss with his male keyboard player and finished with a high-pitched howl he’s known to deliver.
Lambert told Rolling Stone he didn’t do anything female performers haven’t done on television already – and that if ABC censored any part of his performance for the West Coast rebroadcast, it would amount to “discrimination.”
“It’s a shame because I think that there’s a double standard going on in the entertainment community right now,” Lambert told Rolling Stone backstage after the show at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre. “Female performers have been doing this for years – pushing the envelope about sexuality – and the minute a man does it, everybody freaks out. We’re in 2009; it’s time to take risks, be a little more brave, time to open people’s eyes and if it offends them, then maybe I’m not for them. My goal was not to piss people off, it was to promote freedom of expression and artistic freedom.”
Ironically, Sunday’s awards were opened by Janet Jackson, who was embroiled in controversy following her infamous “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. Pop star Justin Timberlake ripped off a portion of Jackson’s costume, exposing her breast to millions of viewers. The incident was investigated by the FCC, and CBS was fined.
Lambert had been defeated on “American Idol” by Kris Allen, a professing Christian described as a “dark horse.”
The outcome of the vote stunned many who thought Lambert would be the victor.
“Huge upset,” said WFLX-TV news anchor Eric Roby, who said he and co-anchor Suzanne Boyd were shocked as they watched the program from their West Palm Beach, Fla., studio. “We were both screaming in the make-up room. Couldn’t believe it.”
Lambert had been dubbed a “rock god” by “Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi, a songwriter herself.
Simon Cowell, the judge known for his put-downs of less-than-stellar competitors, had predicted Lambert would win the contest and that he likely would become a worldwide star.
Liberty Counsel said those who are concerned can contact ABC at ABC, Inc., 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, Calif., 91521, or 818-460-7477 or online at the company’s Audience Relations Department.
Don’t miss ‘Reagan’
Jerry Newcombe