I call bullshit that ABC didn't know what Adam was going to do. AP reporter Derrik J. Lang came out with an article about Adam's rehearsals BEFORE the AMAs were broadcast and wrote about the crotch grab. As for the kissing - impromptu kissing between women has become so common as to be cliched, and impromptu hetero kissing is, of course de rigueur. Awards shows live for unscripted moments - as long as they're hetero or between women (which hetero men love).
Note that Adam's performance came on the heels of the OUT magazine controversy where editor Aaron Hicklin (and many, many others) accused Adam of not being gay enough, which made international news.
Derrik J. Lang - quoted from his AP article on ADAM'S REHEARSAL PERFORMANCE:
"When he begins performing "For Your Entertainment," the first single and title track from his album out Monday, Lambert's domination turns outrageous.
At one point, he thrusts a leather-clad male backup dancer's face toward his crotch, and later flashes a knowing smile as he strokes the same dancer's cheek after plowing through a door that swings both ways.
This is not your typical award show routine.
"There are a lot of double standards as far as that goes," the openly gay singer says backstage, a few days before his Sunday performance. "We've seen female pop and rock performers do that for the last 10 years. They've been very provocative, owning their power and sexuality. You just don't see men doing it very often. And I'm hoping to break down that double standard with this number."
The press were paying attention to Adam's rehearsals - where was ABC? Oh, that's right, telling everyone how provocative Adam's performance would be. Then after the fact some homophobe(s) in power got pissed/scared and weren't going to allow that sort of equality malarky. Adam has allowed all the blame to fall on his shoulders, repeating ad nauseam that he got carried away and doesn't blame ABC, his CD promo tour becoming an exercise in self-flagellation.
ABC's decision to cancel Adam on the GMAs and then continue the emasculation by canceling Jimmy Kimmel and New Year's Rockin' Eve is homophobic hypocrisy. And now GLAAD has supported them.
Adam is the current whipping boy of choice from BOTH sides of the argument - he's either too gay or not gay enough. Why don't we just make Adam wear a big red G on his chest and be done with it? How dare he be out and proud of it.
eta: more nearly, how dare he be out, proud and seeking or expecting equality. Off with his head!
@bodegacat: Totally agree. I think what we see in GLAAD's floating position is a display of competeing agendas. There are plenty of gays who want to mainstream homosexuality by removing any context or action that might be offensive to the straight community. That has always been true. They want to convince straight America that we're just like them, that we all have 9-5 jobs, wear suits and ties, go to church, want to buy a house in the 'burbs, get married and have our 2.5 kids and a dog. They're convinced that's the way to attaining civil rights equality. In the meantime, anything that reminds straights we're not like them is to be shoved back in the closet.
@ngonzogo: very true. That, and homophobes prefer their gays served cold, groveling, ashamed and self-loathing. And many are willing to oblige.
I think Adam is most threatening because he's been upbeat, positive and proud. It feels like ABC has been beating him into submission and it really ticks me off, not least because it reminds me of things I heard when visiting certain areas of this country as a child - about minorities needing to "know their place." Which reminds me of bigots who say they don't mind gays, they just don't want it "shoved in their faces." In other words - they should "know their place." Like a closet.
As for GLAAD? Any delusions I had about their integrity are gone.
Here's your chance, gay entrepreneur! Create a "We're about to kiss" t-shirt. Then the heterosexual public can't complain when you engage in public relations. Brilliant...what else do I have?
Wait. I just read Billy Ray's twitter page and there was a lot of spirituality and God mentioned, but nothing about his young daughter's new tattoo. This must be a mistake.
Yeah... The "they hate gays" thing sort of goes out the window, when you consider that "Kevin" and "Scotty" on Brothers & Sisters often kiss, they're married and are headed into the whole surrogacy thing.
Not to mention that they're part of Disney, which the Baptists used to boycott for being nice to gay people.
@Magister: also home to modern family... and grey's anatomy. both featuring big old gay leads. interesting... and James Franco on General Hosptial! Wow, that's a whole lotta gay!
Saying that ABC banned Lambert for "kissing" is just a bit misleading, no? It was the simulated fellatio that caused all the ruckus. If all he had done was kissed the guy, we would not be having this discussion right now.
@Fuzzy Dunlop: Agreed. I'm pretty sure if Adrian Brody had gone ahead with an unscripted MOT (thank you, Gawker blind items!) there would have been a very different discussion afterward. Also, I would have gouged out my eyes with a cocktail toothpick.
@Fuzzy Dunlop: Absolutely correct. If it had been Madonna or Lady Gaga faking a sex act on stage during a live prime time broadcast, it would be a big deal too. Likewise if it were a straight male performer as well. I mean Jesus, look at the kerfuffle that erupted over Janet Jackson's nipple. For once, I really don't think the sexual orientation of the performer had anything to do with the controversy.
@easternsike: And which part of going off-script do you think got them more upset, the kiss or rubbing the guy's face in his crotch? Not all ad-libs are created equal.
12/04/09
Note that Adam's performance came on the heels of the OUT magazine controversy where editor Aaron Hicklin (and many, many others) accused Adam of not being gay enough, which made international news.
Derrik J. Lang - quoted from his AP article on ADAM'S REHEARSAL PERFORMANCE:
"When he begins performing "For Your Entertainment," the first single and title track from his album out Monday, Lambert's domination turns outrageous.
At one point, he thrusts a leather-clad male backup dancer's face toward his crotch, and later flashes a knowing smile as he strokes the same dancer's cheek after plowing through a door that swings both ways.
This is not your typical award show routine.
"There are a lot of double standards as far as that goes," the openly gay singer says backstage, a few days before his Sunday performance. "We've seen female pop and rock performers do that for the last 10 years. They've been very provocative, owning their power and sexuality. You just don't see men doing it very often. And I'm hoping to break down that double standard with this number."
The press were paying attention to Adam's rehearsals - where was ABC? Oh, that's right, telling everyone how provocative Adam's performance would be. Then after the fact some homophobe(s) in power got pissed/scared and weren't going to allow that sort of equality malarky. Adam has allowed all the blame to fall on his shoulders, repeating ad nauseam that he got carried away and doesn't blame ABC, his CD promo tour becoming an exercise in self-flagellation.
ABC's decision to cancel Adam on the GMAs and then continue the emasculation by canceling Jimmy Kimmel and New Year's Rockin' Eve is homophobic hypocrisy. And now GLAAD has supported them.
Adam is the current whipping boy of choice from BOTH sides of the argument - he's either too gay or not gay enough. Why don't we just make Adam wear a big red G on his chest and be done with it? How dare he be out and proud of it.
eta: more nearly, how dare he be out, proud and seeking or expecting equality. Off with his head!
12/04/09
12/04/09
I think Adam is most threatening because he's been upbeat, positive and proud. It feels like ABC has been beating him into submission and it really ticks me off, not least because it reminds me of things I heard when visiting certain areas of this country as a child - about minorities needing to "know their place." Which reminds me of bigots who say they don't mind gays, they just don't want it "shoved in their faces." In other words - they should "know their place." Like a closet.
As for GLAAD? Any delusions I had about their integrity are gone.
12/04/09
No consent = bad touch. Tell mom! Stop, drop, and roll!
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
one big Transformers-like monster of indiscernible mom-nightmare.
Hire a lawyer and sue me.
12/04/09
Not to mention that they're part of Disney, which the Baptists used to boycott for being nice to gay people.
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
12/04/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."
Really? Because I make a kickass bacon cheeseburger.
11/20/09
11/20/09
Well, yeah, if you use them as a speedbag.
11/20/09
11/20/09