Adam Lambert Disappears from ABC... But Why?

By Scott Harris Posted Dec 4th 2009 08:00AM

Word has come down that ABC has canceled two more appearances by Adam Lambert, leading some to question whether the network has a double standard. We've done a little research into the situation and discovered that when it comes to handling gay themes, ABC's policy is like night and day -- where gay themes on soap opera are just fine, but not so much during nighttime music performances.

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Adam Lambert Pics

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2009 file photo, singer Adam Lambert appears on CBS's' "The Early Show" in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file)

SYKEC

Adam Lambert Snapshots

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2009 file photo, singer Adam Lambert appears on CBS's' "The Early Show" in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file)

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 25: Singer Adam Lambert visits the "Early Show" taping at the CBS Studios on November 25, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert

Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 25: Singer Adam Lambert signs autographs for fans outside the "Early Show" taping at the CBS Studios on November 25, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert

Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 25: Singer Adam Lambert (L) has his picture taken with a fan outside the "Early Show" taping at the CBS Studios on November 25, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adam Lambert

Getty Images

Ever since the openly gay Lambert, who seized the attention of the nation with his second place finish on last season's 'American Idol,' appeared in a controversial live performance during this year's 'American Music Awards' ceremony two weeks ago, the singer has been under siege from those offended by a routine that included kissing a male dancer on stage. According to The New York Daily News, ABC, which aired the event, received over 1,500 complaints, leading the network to cancel a scheduled appearance by Lambert on 'Good Morning America.'

Now the singer has announced that ABC has also dropped two more scheduled appearances, including a live performance during their New Year's Eve special and an upcoming guest spot on Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show. While the singer himself seems to be taking it in stride, insisting that fans shouldn't blame ABC because they are feeling "the FCC heat," it should be noted that the FCC does not regulate programming after 10 o'clock, meaning both of these latest cancellations would not have faced any scrutiny from the government regulatory office.

So why is ABC backing away from Lambert? At first glance it would appear to be a case of the network, which is owned by Disney, being uncomfortable with the overt homosexuality portrayed by the singer during his live performance. However, a deeper look at the network's programming suggests that there may be more to the situation than simple uneasiness over Lambert's gay lifestyle, as the network's own long-running daytime drama 'One Life to Live' has been at the forefront of bringing gay characters into mainstream television.

Indeed, the show has been featuring a gay love triangle around characters Kyle, Nick and Oliver for the past several months. And while there has been some backlash about the storyline (including, as TV Guide reported at the time, the departure of one cast member who apparently objected to the way it was unfolding), for the most part critics and fans have been supportive of the show -- as has ABC. Which begs the question, if the network is gay friendly during the afternoon, why is it shying away from Lambert' after hours?

From all appearances, then, the decision appears to the result of a double standard, not between gay and straight so much as between night and day. Afternoon programming, such as 'One Life to Live' and other soap operas, is low profile. Even if fans did object to the storyline, there are so few people watching, relatively speaking, that any controversy will be a small controversy, confined to the insular soap community. In prime time, though, especially on major specials such as the 'AMA''s and Dick Clark's 'New Year's Rockin' Eve,' the spotlight on both the performer and the network is so much brighter that ABC doesn't want to risk their family friendly image on anything that has the slightest hint of scandal.

Which to us sounds a little too much like the old fashioned type of double standard after all. Because as sensitively as 'One Life to Live' has portrayed their gay characters, as long as they are regulated to the afternoon -- and superstar acts like Adam Lambert are blacklisted from prime time -- daytime TV is just another kind of closet for gays to try to come out of.

Now if only the network will let them.

Tags: adam lambert, AdamLambert, American music awards, AmericanMusicAwards, one life to live, OneLifeToLive

Comments

(669)

Friday 04 December

By Lin

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I agree that Adam Lambert did go overboard on the AMA awards show but just a couple of weeks ago I was watching Opra and she had Ellen DeGenerates
on her show with her gay partner and Ellen embraced her and kissed her openly on the mouth so whhere is the difference here? Opra is on middle of the day when alot of young people are watching

By crayola

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I dislike when TV or the news bring gay people like Ellen, what Ellen does is that bring her pervert partner and start crying and talking how happy she is.GAY PEOPLE LIKE ELLEN CRY LIKE SHE WON THE LOTTO...WE the atraight people have partnes, spouses..we do not act like we won the LOTTO...NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR SEX LIFE

Tuesday 08 December

By carrie

Vote down Vote up Report this

HIPOCRITES!!!!!!!

By Lisa

Crayola, Are you trying to tell us that you have someone in your life? Well I would hold on to them like grime death since you must have found someone who can tolerate your back ass, bigoted, homophobic,trailer trash,ignorant,self loathing attitude. I generally find that those that protest the loudest are the ones with the most to hit. Which begs the question.... What are your secret thoughts? I hope the hate you have welled up inside you about a person you do not even know or have any dealings with does not distroy you, your family and your health.

Saturday 05 December

By Ann

One of my favorite shows is True Blood and is very sexual. However my children are in bed. I found his performance sexually overcharged especially since many of the viewers are children. If the network was aware of the content, they could warn the audiences. He needs to be a little more considerate of the audience that got him were he is at now. My children love American Idol. I am not saying he has to loose his sexualty, just behave when appropriate...this pertains to Homosexuals and Heterosexuals alike.

By Susan

What is this site? Some kind of a Neanderthal, homophobe spam off? Wow, I've seen some pathetic hate spamming as regards to Adam, but wow, this takes the cake. Isn't there trash to be picked up on the highway or something?

Grow the hell up, people. If you can't deal with a little moderate sexuality turn the damn channel and watch the 700 Club. (They only do their depraved sex behind doors and blame their neighbor – or "The Devil" for it – LOL!).

The haters' obsession with Adam only proves his power. Thanks for that, haters! *waves* We knew it from the first. Too bad your evolutionary progress is impeded. If you study (or just open your mind) perhaps you'll catch up. If not, who cares? Those not progressing are doomed to extinction. So, um ... bye!

By Percheronluvr

Kissing is one thing, getting ready for a sexual act is another.

By Angelica

Adam is disgusting. What did he expect. Gay is one thing but simulation sex on TV yuk

By LOR

I AM YOUNG AND LOVE MUSIC AND I LOVED ADAM BUT HE HAS GONE EVEN TO FAR FOR ME. HIS GESTURES WHERE WAY TO FAR WHETHER THEY ARE GAY OR STRAIGHT. A FACE PUSHED IN YOUR PRIVATE AREA IS MORE THAN CROSSING THE LINE. I WAS WITH ABOUT 20 TEENS AND EVERYONE WAS GROSSED OUT. AGAIN I'M NOT TALKING GAY I'M TALKING GROSS. SORRY I WOULD TURN HIM OFF I DONT EVEN LIKE HIS VOICE ANYMORE -- TURN OFF!!

By Hank

Adam should be banded he went way overboard in a very early starting career. he has a very good voice but makes very bad choices, as far as ellen shes a freak show and should be banded also.

By Beth

Yes, but Ellen didn't start grinding her partner's face in her crotch. Who cares who he kissed it was all the sex slaves and crotch action that offended me.

By THINK!

a character being gay or a person being Gay is not the same as a
Person who is disrepectful and Overboarding his ACT! I though he was
a singer! NO NO NO HE IS A CLOWN who happens to be GAY! You want
respect Be respectful! And just because some might think (and maybe
true) others have gotten away with over acting their so called talent
doesn't make it "RIGHT NOW!" Own up to it ADAM! Its not because your
GAY...Look at all the people we know that are gay on TV.Most known
ELLEN. People love her.WHY...because She has CLASS!Not because of
what she prefers in or out of her bedroom!

By John

ABC at least did half of what a responsible network
should do, and that is to get this repulsive theme OFF tv period. I would not pay one cent for any of Adam's work, would not even watch Ellen on anything, and as for Oprah, thanks for promoting a degenerate lifestyle for the American viewing public, especially our young people.

By Roxanne

Adam had a man's head near his penis on stage.. a far cry from kissing...let's get real here..I have many gay friends but I don't want to see what they do in private in my face...or children that may be watching...

By donna

i agree,,sort of,,,adam's performance was out and out porn,,with his clothes on,,,ellen didn't put her face in between her partners legs,,,like adam did or grab her crouch ..like adam did,,,he didn't entertain,,he was disgusting,,,i don't care how late the show goes on,,,i don't want to watch that stuff,,,i enjoy the awards show,,so i should be entertained,, not forced to watch adam do whatever to other men,,,

By Paul Hardy

I am so tried of having gays jam down my throat who do they think are....Its just getting old I dont want there way of life jammed down my throat.Paul

By kww328

Well we all know God made all people and people make their own decisions whether good or bad, evil or not. God did not make anyone be a murderer, a child molester, a rapist, or a gay person. But we all know God frowns upon all the above before mentioned. We all know there is a heaven and a hell. There is satan and there is Jesus. I CHOOSE JESUS AND HEAVEN OVER BEING GAY AND GOING TO HELL WITH THE MURDERERS, THIEVES, CHILD MOLESTERS. i KNOW I HAVE MADE A GOOD CHOICE, WHAT ABOUT YOU???

By Dianne

"O" kissed a girl
And she liked it...
Poor Stedman

By shirl Mc

Oprah and Ellen didn't get into each others crotches...

By Evelyn

I don't think there is ANYTHING wrong with homosexuality. Who someone else loves is THEIR business. The ONLY sex life I care about is MINE. But, ABC is owned by Disney. And even though Walt Disney was a racist, they are known to cater to children. Adam Lambert, who is a talented artist and singer, went too far. He grabbed a woman's crotch, had the S&M themed guys on leashes AND ground his crotch into some guy's face. One of those things you could overlook - all three - too much. If they want to make sure it doesn't happen again, they don't allow him on their network. Personally, I think they are black-balling him, but if he wants to perform on channels run by right-wing conservatives, in the daytime, or networks that cater to children, he'll have to play by their rules.

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