So as I followed up on an artist that I loved watching and listening to last year on American Idol (Adam Lambert) I was interested and not-at-all surprised that his first, read it again FIRST, television performance caused scandal. Now, to give him the benefit of the doubt, Lambert may have really allowed the "adrenaline to get to him" as he claims in his performance. Also, he complained that there is a double-standard in the entertainment industry as far as sexually suggestive material goes and its relation to gender. Janet Jackson flashing her boob. Madonna and Britany Spears kissing. Lady Gaga, being gross, Lady Gaga, etc.
Now that may all be completely true. But how can he be surprised in any way?! I am not going to go into the moral, should he perform that way, should he not, can we show that on TV, etc. I just want to vent at Lambert's surprise that people got upset. 1- You are performing at 10 in the evening. Kids are up. Kids are watching this program. He is seriously surprised that kids are STILL watching? He said that "I thought kids would be sleeping." What parents make their kids go to bed and decent hours anymore?! C'mon. 2- Look at where you are performing. You are not in the UK, you are not in Netherlands, Denmark or some other European country that tolerates that type of material. You are in a traditionally conservative country whose roots stem from even more conservative roots. A country that came close to impeaching their president due to his personal life. A country that roared and complained for a MONTH about Janet Jackson flashing her privates on national TV. You are performing in a country that embraces pushing the boundaries (rap music, Cable TV, Hollywood) but then shies away from those same issues a moment later. We live in a fickle, confused country that is as back and forth as Jeckel and Hyde.
I guess all of this is to say that if you are going to indeed promote yourself as a "on the edge" performer, don't complain about the backlash that you receive. Do it and be done. And if you are tired of the criticism, move somewhere else, or stop being so damn pornographic on national TV.
