I admire the way my colleague Michael Slezak has analyzed the shortcomings of Adam Lambert’s AMA performance. Read the full post.
Nov 23
2009
10:44 AM ET
In defense of Adam Lambert: As a TV event, he was splendid
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My 10 year old doesn’t like him anymore after last night’s show.
Its 2009 folks. You can’t be that naive. Lambert is playing it smart after watching all the Gosslins, Spears, Hiltons, Jacksons and Beckhams perfect the art of staying in the public eye. Talent is not enough any more. And if you don’t like his wares he is peddling yet he has got you talking about him, then he wins.
Go Adam!
Everyone was talking about Britney Spears’ VMA flop “comeback” performance as well, and not for good reasons. Being over-the-top and offensive just to get people talking is not necessarily the way to endear yourself to a broad audience, so I suppose that’s not what Adam was trying to do. I’m dissapointed — I so loved Adam’s voice on AI and respected his way of handling everything with dignity and class while also having extreme sex-appeal. It doesn’t have to be so overt, in-your-face… Too bad
I’m still confused…what does Britney have to do with Adam Lambert?
I agree with you…just because everyone is talking about you the next day doesn’t mean it’s all good. Especially if the performance could potentially kill your career (which I fear will happen here.)
Oh get a LIFE! Adam is so OVER American Idol! The bondage theme fit perfectly with the lyrics of the song, and the song is wonderful. The sound on the show wasn’t – not Adam’s fault. So you didn’t like the choreography. Next time he’ll get a better choreographer. Did you REALLY expect him to just stand there and sing? Didn’t you see what all the other performers were doing? Or was it just the “gay guy” you didn’t like seeing do those same things? THINK ABOUT IT!
the lyrics sucked so maybe the stimulated bj fit more perfectly???
listen to that same song on his album – it rocks!
I totally agree with this. Slezak’s review was still in the idol mindset where “pitchiness” is key. In the real world, it’s about making a name for yourself. And Adam entertained, pushed boundaries, and I have never been prouder to call myself a fan.
Yeah for you Ken Tucker. I agree with every word.
Thank you, Ken, for saying that. It would be nice to read more of that perspective. Adam fans need that right now.
Thank you for your terrific commentary. With all the awful things one sees on television, including the “joy” of news telecasts, it is amazing how small-minded people can be. Adam’s performance may not have been his best vocally, but still darn impressive, considering the pressure he was under in this venue. I just downloaded my pre-ordered album of “For Your Entertainment” and it is phenomenal!
so, a person is “small-minded” if they don’t want to see a guy give another guy head on television? okay, then…
Wow, what show were you watching? Seems like you’ve seen too many gay porn movies.
You get that it was simulated – it wasn’t real. It was faked, much like most of the sex on tv where they pretend and moan and move up and down on one another – and in prime time. It’s all fake.
“head on tv”? must have missed that. Lambert needed to stand out in such heady (no pun intended) company and he did! Good show, Adam.
lol – yes, I know it was simulated.
j – if you really understood that it was a half-second of simulation – what’s your gripe? That it wasn’t 2 girls?
Mike – have you watched any daytime soaps lately? Dang, Adam’s performance was TAME in comparison!
rory – good pun
and yup – he stood out! He seems to be all that anyone remembers of the show – gotta love him for that!
Well, if you are a style over substance kind of person, than I see your point. I much prefer the Adam who shines the spotlight on his incredible voice. Anyone who doesn’t think this performance was a disaster vocally and otherwise, is just hell-bent on making sure Lambert succeeds at all costs. Unfortunately for the public, that cost seems to be his awesome voice.
Well-said. I completely agree.
Nothing new here. Like previously stated, Madonna was doing this back in the 90s. Only difference here is Adam might have different genitalia.
Yep. And every naysaying, disparaging comment about Lambert so far was hurled at Madonna in the 80s, 90s, 2000s, last week…*yawn*
Barbara Walters shouldn’t throw stones at anyone. From a woman who “confesses” she had an affair with a married man in her book. To me that is way more “morally wrong” than anything Adam Lambert did at the AMAs. What a hypocrite. The End
Good point.
I finally got to see a clip from the view and did not see where Barbara Walters in any way “slammed” Adam Lambert’s performance. Her only comment that came close was a remark she made while Sheri Sheppard was describing Adam’s performance. Maybe there is another clip but in the one I saw no “slamming” was there.
Totally agree with Ken Tucker. It was brash, rude , over-the-top, trashy and amazing all at once. The only performance worth talking about.
True. And the only performance anyone IS talking about. All the rest (except Gaga and Whitney) were B-O-R-I-N-G!
Ken Tucker = massive tool.
LENI= Massive douche
I don’t know if I would call AL’s performance “racy”! Depends on your definition….all I do know is that I was really looking forward to buying his album when it came out today, but after seeing his performance last night, I think perhaps his “genre” of music is not for me. I understand freedom of expression, but I also understand freedom to spend my money on what I like….and I didn’t like that. I feel kinda sad for him….I think he lost a lot of faithful fans who really believed in him and his incredible talent, but that talent was lost amid this vulgar display of what some seem to think is “dancing”. Maybe in a strip club! As for his fall on the scaffolding….well he recovered from that quite well,but I’m not too sure his career is going to.
Anything that sets off Hasselbeck is a good thing in my book.
I second that opinion.
Amen to that!
He made a total and complete a** of himself on national prime time TV. This was something that might be acceptable in the right venue but Prime time TV with kids watching was not it. His album just went off my Christmas list and I canceled my order for the 3 I was going to give as presents.
he was immature and digusting. I hope to hell there are fines against this network for allowing such trash.
I hear David Archuleta has a Christmas album coming out. Might be more your speed.
Hey MartyM…perhaps you should take your whine with a Susan Boyle CD. Get over yourself.
Hey Kay, Thats exactly what I intend to do…LOL…have you taken a good look at any of the charts today? She is kicking his a** all over the place in sales.
Kids should have been in bed. They need the sleep so that they don’t fall asleep in school.
Most kids are off school all this week because of the holiday, so many were allowed to stay up later than usual to watch what should have been a fairly safe show on network tv. I’m a big Adam fan, but a real artistic performer can do more with less, not the other way around.
your statement is totally weak. 17 and 18 yo Jrs and Srs in high school are usually not in bed and asleep by 11pm. this was nothing anyone would want to have watched with their teenagers. if so, then I would seriously question their parenting ability and morals.
Calling people bad parents because teens might have been awake and watching a PRIME time program on a national station is just silly.
You thought THAT was too risque for a 17 or 18 year old? LOL. I didn’t think the Amish watched television.