Adam Lambert rocks CBS ‘Early Show.’ (Surprise! No one gets groped!)
There’s really no other way to score it, seeing how Good Morning America lost out on one charming, cheeky interview (read what my colleague Ken Tucker had to say about that) and two bad-ass musical performances from American Idol season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert this morning, handing them all over to its rival Early Show because, um, why exactly? Oh yeah, apparently ABC suits didn’t trust the firebrand singer would understand the inherent difference between a 10:55 p.m. performance at a decidedly racy awards show and an 8:30 a.m. gig at a benign, watch-with-your-cereal-and-coffee news program. [Insert eye-roll here.] This isn’t to say I’ve changed my tune on Lambert’s Sunday-night showing. Some 36 hours later, I stand by my contention that his AMA performance of ‘For Your Entertainment’ was a vocal and aesthetic disappointment. But ABC’s finger-wagging disinvitation ‘†‘Given his controversial American Music Awards performance, we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning’ ‘†seems as disingenuous as it does counter-intuitive. (Really? Why not just put a big bow on top of that ratings gift you’re giving to Harry Smith & Co.?)
Adam Lambert Says ‘I Could Be Role Model or Somebody’s Worst Nightmare’
Even before his ‘American Music Awards’ performance became the most talked about musical TV appearance since a certain singer (cough cough Janet Jackson) flashed America during the Super Bowl, Adam Lambert knew that his brazen style and love of theatrics was going to be polarizing. “If you are in the public eye and you are a certain type of persona, you’re putting certain ideas out there you’re bound to have people look up to them. You’re also bound to have people who completely reject them and hate you for it, ” Lambert told
‘Idol’ runner-up Lambert’s 1st major album out
Coming in second on the last season of “American Idol” did little to dampen Adam Lambert’s pop ambitions. On Tuesday, the 27-year-old San Diego singer released his first major-label album, “For Your Entertainment.” As expected, he has gone all out. From the Glamour Shots-inspired cover picture to the list of top-shelf collaborators in the liner notes, it’s a creatively charged effort designed to launch him into the same stratosphere as the show’s more notable successes like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Lambert spoke to us by phone last week.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Exclusive: Idol Finalist Calls Adam Lambert “a Sham”
But season 3’s Diana DeGarmo says Lambert shouldn’t be shocked at the harsh reaction. (About 1, 500 people called in complaints; ABC’s Good Morning America also canceled Lambert’s Nov. 25 appearance because of his “controversial American Music Awards performance.”)
Says DeGarmo, “When you take a big risk like that, you can’t be surprised when there are repercussions for your actions.” If anything, it should help out his career. “Plus, with all of the buzz around the performance, his sales shouldn’t suffer whatsoever, ” she tells Us.
‘Idol’ Finalists Defend Adam Lambert’s Controversial AMA Performance
Former ‘American Idol’ contestants Blake Lewis and Anoop Desai are coming to Adam Lambert’s defense after his controversial AMA performance, which subsequently got him booted from ABC’s ‘Good Morning America.’ Season 6 runner-up Lewis tells HollywoodLife.com exclusively, “Adam Lambert isn’t too controversial. ‘Good Morning America’ could have had an amazing interview with a talented, humble entertainer and shot him down. Their loss.”
UPDATED: ABC ‘Good Morning America’ Cancels Adam Lambert’s Performance
However, the Parents Television Council (PTC) does not think “GMA” should have canceled Adam’s performance. Dan Isett, Director of Public Policy for the PTC tells Access, “I do think it’s a little bit unfortunate. This is not a personal crusade against Adam Lambert.”
“The idea that he should be scrubbed from TV completely is not where we’re going, ” Isett continued. “It may be a bit of an overreaction on ABC’s part. The important thing is that networks have the easy ability to air on a delay to prevent this sort of thing.”
Adam Lambert’s ‘Good Morning America’ Appearance Canceled Over AMA Controversy
While Lambert did not comment on the matter on his Twitter account, the controversy over the controversy spawned an immediate Twitter meme, with the hashtag #ShameOnYouABC firing up the ranks of trending topics, helped by Lambert fan Perez Hilton’s influence.
With the release on Monday of Lambert’s major-label debut, For Your Entertainment, this week’s sales numbers will be the test of whether all this Madonna-esque controversy will help the glam-loving power vocalist drum up more than headlines.
Adam Lambert: From Closeted ‘Idol’ to AMA Provocateur
The once sexually ambiguous, aspiring “American Idol” made one thing clear with his provocative performance and man-on-man kiss during Sunday’s performance at the “American Music Awards”: He’s gay enough.
“It’s great, he can be himself now, ” gossip columnist Perez Hilton said. “He doesn’t have to play it safe to get votes and, at the end of the day, it’s all working. I applaud him for that performance. It was ballsy. It wasn’t perfect, definitely not his best vocal. But I loved it. I loved it.”
Adam Lambert’s Other Options (Now That ‘GMA’ Is Cancelled)
Adam Lambert fans have had an exhausting 36 hours. First, they had to defend their man’s salacious (and pitchy) display at the American Music Awards Sunday night. Then word spread early this morning that “Good Morning America, ” ABC’s morning show, had pulled the plug on Lambert’s upcoming appearance. (An ABC spokesperson said, “Given his controversial live performance on the AMAs, we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning.”)
Adam Lambert and TV scandal: A match made in rock heaven
Adam Lambert has taken the better part of a year to unfold his shiny wings on national television. He finally took flight Sunday on the American Music Awards — but not in the direction that many, including some devoted fans, had hoped. The singer’s decision to take some exhibitionist risks onstage, starting with the kind of simulated foreplay that Madonna’s been including in her concerts for years and culminating in a libidinous lip-lock with his male keyboard player, apparently has alienated as many observers as it’s impressed. But there’s a third way to view Lambert’s staged provocation: not as a new low for pop’s moral standards, nor as a revolutionary act, but as one of the most traditional things he’s done so far.
Adam Lambert Breaks Through The Glass Ceiling, America Pouts
ABC said more than 1, 500 people phoned in to complain about former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert’s escapades on stage during Sunday night’s performance at the American Music Awards. There were provocative struts with dancers — men — then he simulated a kiss with a guy (and liked it).
The network deemed the response “moderate” but the Parents Television Council reported that it had also heard from upset members.
I’m curious who those members are.
How Adam Lambert Is Hurting Gay Marriage
You told Out magazine that you didn’t make a big deal out of your sexual orientation during American Idol once pictures of you kissing a man had been exposed because:
‘I don’t understand why it has to be about my sexuality. I’m just not going to talk about it one way or another. . . . And then when those pictures came out, I was like, you know what? I thought maybe I’ll just own it and say, ‘Yeah, I’m gay.’ But I didn’t want to label myself.’
That’s interesting, Adam Lambert. When you were worried about winning a contest, you didn’t want to openly attest to being gay. (And, in fact, your people were worried that you would seem ‘too gay’ on Out’s cover.) BUT, when you wanted to make a splash in public, when you wanted to get noticed ‘ suddenly you were all about gay sexuality.
Kris Allen: ‘I Didn’t Try Out For ‘Idol’ To Be #1 On iTunes’
Kris Allen says he doesn’t care about album sales or chart debuts, both of which are good things, considering his self-titled debut shared a release date with John Mayer’s Battle Studies, Leona Lewis’s Echo and 50 Cent’s Before I Self Destruct, to name just a few.
So, clearly, the competition to top the Billboard albums chart is fierce. And though we won’t know the winner until Wednesday morning, when Nielsen Soundscan releases the official numbers, Allen isn’t holding his breath. He’s already pretty sure he’s not going to take the #1 spot ‘†and he’s perfectly fine with that.
Just Like You (2009)
With 11 different producers for 13 tracks, you’d think 17-year-old Allison Iraheta would need a miracle to create a cohesive debut disc with Just Like You. But nope, the muscular, instantly recognizable growl that carried her to a fourth-place finish on American Idol’s eighth season is all she needs to seamlessly wed a collection of first-rate ditties, from the relentlessly propulsive ”Holiday” to the ’80s-influenced ”D Is for Dangerous” to the soaring ”Don’t Waste the Pretty.” Meanwhile, ballads like the understated ”Scars” and the bluesy ”Trouble Is” separate Iraheta from questionably abled Miley/Selena contemporaries. Girl. Can. Sang! A-
Live Music Lives on VH1 on Fridays with New ‘Friday Night Alright’ Series of Concerts from the World’s Leading Rock and Pop Music Artists
he weekly global musical expedition is scheduled to begin on Friday, January 1, 2010 at 11:00 PM*. On that night, Pink’s high-flying “Funhouse” tour kicks off an itinerary packed with A-list performers set to roll out the first quarter of the new year including U2, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Green Day, Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson, Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, The Killers, Coldplay and Katy Perry. Jim Shearer, of VH1’s “Top 20 Video Countdown, ” will present the series.
Chart Beat Tuesday: Neil Diamond, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks
CLARKSON CLIMBS TO NO. 1: Kelly Clarkson collects her second No. 1 on Adult Pop Songs, as “Already Gone” ascends 2-1. Clarkson spent five weeks at the summit with “Behind These Hazel Eyes” in 2005.
DON’T STOP THE ‘MUSIC’: 26 years ago this week, Shannon’s classic jam “Let the Music Play” spent its sixth and final week at No. 1 on the Dance/Club Play Songs chart. This week, Jordin Sparks’ interpolation of the track, “S.O.S. (Let the Music Play), ” rises 2-1 on the survey. Sparks’ sole prior entry on the chart, “No Air, ” peaked at No. 41.
Jordin Sparks, Celtic Woman, Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau to Join National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 3rd
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation announced that Jordin Sparks, Celtic Woman, Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau will perform at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 2009. They will join previously announced entertainers Sheryl Crow, Common and Ray LaMontagne for the annual holiday event, which will be streamed live at www.thenationaltree.org on Dec. 3rd at 5:00pm EST/2:00pm PST, and will be broadcast nationwide beginning Dec. 4th, on public broadcasting stations in partnership with WETA Washington, D.C., the flagship public broadcasting station in the nation’s capital (check local listings).
David Archuleta talks up ‘Christmas From the Heart’
Relaxing after recently taping an appearance on the Spanish-language TV channel Univision, “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta [ tickets ] is giggly.
“It was my first Spanish network performance, so it’s cool, ” Archuleta said between giggles during an interview with LiveDaily. “It was really fun. It was at a school in Harlem [NY]. So I had a bunch of kids as the audience.”
Kids will be packing theaters this month and next when Archuleta embarks on a holiday tour in support of his debut Christmas album, “Christmas From the Heart.”
American Idol alum David Archuleta shows growth during holiday concert
Regardless of David Archuleta’s performance Tuesday night at Abravanel Hall, the tweens and teenagers in the audience would still have shrieked and squealed in delight every time the 18-year-old pop singer from Murray sang a note.
Luckily for the rest of us, Archuleta launched his holiday tour in his home state with a rousing, accomplished performance that further illustrated how far he has come since he finished second in the 2008 season of “American Idol.”
Archuleta, who turns 19 in December, ably balanced a show that showcased his pop talent as well as a strong display of covering other’s material — most notably a collection of Christmas standards that closed the show.
PHOTOS: Katharine McPhee Looks Bold and Beautiful in Black
Katharine McPhee dressed in Marchesa attends the 37th International Emmy Awards gala at the New York Hilton and Towers on Nov. 23 in NYC.
America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade showcases Detroit traditions, tons of reality TV stars
Thousands of people will line up on Woodward Ave. early Thursday morning to watch one of the country’s oldest Thanksgiving Day parade traditions — America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Last season’s “American Idol” third place winner Danny Gokey will be there, possibly crooning to the crowd.
“Idol” alum and Westland native Josh Gracin will be in attendance as well.
Tree Lighting Ceremony This Friday, 11/27
No, no. Did you really think you were getting a day off from having the holiday season shoved down your throat? That you would get a day of rest come Friday? Well, think again. Because Macy’s is putting on the city’s 20th annual tree lighting ceremony that night.
On Friday, 11/27, the Giant’s other pitcher, Barry Zito will host a night that includes American Idol contestant Anoop Desai, Glide Ensemble and the San Francisco Boys Chorus, a sneak peak of Cirque de Soleil’s new show, OVO, and a man dressed as Santa Claus leading “thousands of holiday revelers in a spirited countdown to light the tree.”
Thanksgiving Day parade preps
November 24, 2009 (WPVI) — Things are constantly moving behind the scenes to keep the parade on course for Thursday.
The parade office at 6abc studios in Wynnefield Heights is abuzz with preparations in these days leading up to the annual Thanksgiving Day parade.
It’s time to make sure every detail is in place for the 90th year of the nation’s oldest Thanksgiving Day parade.
Parade producer, Todd Marcocci, showed us staging charts of how he designed the finale, opening production number and the special Ikea production number.
Lighting of the Atlanta Macy’s Tree
Each year after the turkey has been eaten and the pumpkin pie devoured, one of the most popular spots in Atlanta is outside Macy’s at Lenox Mall for the Lighting of the Great Tree. The 70 foot pine weighs around 7 tons. This is one big Christmas tree.
The pre-show begins at 6:15 p.m., and it’s followed by the lighting ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Each year there are great musical performances. This year the show includes country singer Josh Turner, American Idol’s Mandisa, Stephen Norwood, Macy’s All Star Holiday Choir, and SoReal Cru.
American Idol Alum Hits Broadway!
Jennifer Hudson is causing a trend!
Much like the American Idol alum, Season 7’s second runner-up Syesha Mercado has joined the cast of Dreamgirls. But unlike Hudson’s Oscar-winning turn in the 2006 movie adaptation, Mercado is singing and dancing on Broadway!
The show’s co-choreographer, Shane Sparks, talked to Usmagazine.com about Mercado’s theater debut, adding that her turn on American Idol helped prepare her for the stage.
Ex-‘American Idol’ judge Paula Abdul on her talk show: ‘It would be insightful’
Former “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul thinks she’d make a great talk show host. Hmmm.
On Monday, Paula Abdul espoused her various talk-show host qualifications to Extra. Zap2it would like to provide our own commentary about the Paula-speak.
1. “I have really great ideas” and she hopes to do a talk show in the next two to three years.
TV producer starts charity for young dancers
CNN) — Nigel Lythgoe was tired of saying “no” to promising young dancers.
“We see so many rough diamonds that you would love to be able to take under your wing and polish and say, ‘Wow, they look like they can become fabulous dancers, ‘ ” said Lythgoe, the co-creator and executive producer of the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance.” “But we can’t take people that just show promise. So in order to try and do something with that, we thought of the idea.”
Mia Michaels may return to ‘SYTYCD, ‘ doesn’t have cancer
Mia Michaels left the Top 20 dancers very disappointed on the sixth season of “So You Think You Can Dance” because they won’t get the experience of working with her, but she felt she needed to expand herself as an artist.
Obviously the big news this fall was you leaving “So You Think You Can Dance.” Do you have an official reason for leaving? There were so many rumors flying about.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Breaking up is hard to do
There was actual clapping and cheering in my house tonight during the screening of “So You Think You Can Dance”: Season 6 is in effect! Kathryn McCormick and “Legacy” Perez and Ellenore Scott and Ryan Di Lello brought two solid dances per couple. Ellenore and Ryan opened the show with a very fun and energetic Lindy Hop and later on danced a delightfully creepy and charming Broadway routine (I especially love when Ryan can portray an unusual character, despite his hunky and slick exterior). I loved Legacy and Kathryn’s sexy and quirky Sonya Tayeh jazz dance (especially Legacy’s crab walk). They demonstrated wonderful chemistry and, especially in Kathryn’s case, stage presence during their rock ‘n’ roll Viennese waltz, which wasn’t technically perfect but still extremely fun to watch. They remind me of Courtney Galliano and Gev Manoukian from Season 4.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ results: We have a winner!
Maybe it was Adam Carolla’s last-ditch prayer to Michael Flatley that did it: After overcoming long odds, ups and downs, fever dreams, a sparkly leprechaun green jacket, a fumbled tango routine and a dip to the dark side, lifelong showman and avowed professional Donny Osmond beat out fellow competitors Mya and Kelly Osbourne to emerge as Season 9’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’ champion. And true to his Mr. Congeniality roots, the star wasn’t content to hoard the coveted Mirrorball trophy and tell his sister — the reason he came on as a competitor on this show in the first place — to stick it where the sun don’t shine. No, a win for Donny was a win for everybody, and he magnanimously brought up his wife, his large family and his sister Marie out on to the dance floor with him to celebrate.