Adam Lambert AMA Performance Fallout: "Good Morning America" Cancellation

Was Adam Lambert's performance at the 2009 American Music Awards so shocking and objectionable that he deserved to be pulled from a guest appearance on "Good Morning America"? Apparently so, because the powers that be that are responsible for the concert series on "Good Morning America" have pulled the plug on the provocative Adam Lambert, who has been embroiled in controversy since his sexually charged performance Sunday night. It seems that Adam Lambert, while going for an "edge" to his performance, may have pushed a few people over the edge of tolerance -- especially at ABC, which broadcast the American Music Awards and is home to "Good Morning America."

ABC issued a statement Tuesday to the New York Times that: "Given his controversial live performance on the American Music Awards we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning."

Adam Lambert's performance has certainly been the talk of the internet and celebrity-centric talk shows since his AMA performance. The video, which shows the glam rocker strutting, hip-thrusting, simulating fellatio, and kissing a male keyboardist, has gone viral as well. With the release of his first album, "For Your Entertainment," on Monday, the AMA performance has produced both detractors and defenders. Now, it has produced some fallout.

According to the Associated Press, about 1500 people complained that the ex-American Idol contestant had gone beyond the limits of tasteful entertainment Sunday night. Although ABC representatives stated that the number was rather "moderate" as far as complaints were concerned, the brief statement did not elaborate other than there was "concern" for Adam Lambert appearing and perhaps performing in a like manner on "Good Morning America." This in spite of an Adam Lambert appearance in on "GMA" in August where he performed Muse's "Starlight."

With the help of Perez Hilton, a Twitter account -- #ShameOnYouABC -- has been chronicling those who have an opinion on Adam Lambert's ABC cancellation. IslandGirl1967 wrote, "censorship suck boycott ABC." Shannon_Ahern agreed: "Censorship BAD / ABC feeds stupidity cancelling Lambert's GMA spot." While this writer scanned the entries (a process that took roughly five minutes), the refresher update at the top of the Twitter account informed me that another 511 tweets had been posted).

In his own defense, Adam Lambert said that he was caught up "in the moment." He told CNN: "I do feel like there's a bit of a double standard in the entertainment community, on television, on radio. I feel like women performers have been pushing the envelope, especially, for the past 20 years. And all of the sudden a male does it and everybody goes 'Oh, we can't show that on TV.' For me, that's a form of discrimination and a double standard. And that's too bad."

But those comments came right after the performance of "For Your Entertainment." Before he found out that he'd created a firestorm of controversy. Before he knew about the complaints. Before Elisabeth Hasselback and Barbara Walters gave scolding reviews on "The View."

And it is too bad. It is even worse that ABC would allow themselves to self-censored by what they fear might happen. But was it pre-emptive cancellation? Or was it retaliatory cancellation? Either way, Adam Lambert's "GMA" performance was cancelled.

But if ABC's cancellation of Adam Lambert's appearance on "GMA" Wednesday morning looks as if it will leave the 27-year-old glam rocker with nothing to do in New York, think again. He is also scheduled to appear on CBS' "Early Show" and on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

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By the time this article was posted, there were 1009 tweets at #ShameOnYouABC on Twitter.

Perhaps ABC might want to reconsider their decision...

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Sources:

NYTimes.com
"2009 American Music Awards," ABC Television
Twitter.com
Associated Press
CNN.com