Scandal at the American Music Awards
Did Adam Lambert push the envelope too far? Will he be needing installment loans after his career inevitably derails? (Photo: Wikipedia.org)
I’m sure you’ve heard of installment loans. You wouldn’t be here for any other reason, right? And I’m sure many of you have heard about the scandal that went down on ABC. Adam Lambert, the former American Idol contestant, is getting tons of pressure for his performance at the 2009 American Music Awards. Rolling Stone quotes Lambert as saying, “Female performers have been doing this for years — pushing the envelope about sexuality — and the minute a man does it, everybody freaks out.”
Tell me, what do you think about this?
About 1,500 complaints were promptly phoned into ABC’s offices when The Parents Television Council insisted that viewers complain. Lambert’s performance on Good Morning America was later canceled.
Why are we complaining now? Popular media has been coming more sexually permissive for a while. Apparently somebody is actually admitting (not under their breath) that sex sells. This is also the foundation that our society seems to be built on, a sex-sells notion advertised in subliminal messages springing up everywhere and getting bolder every day.
I completely understand that sex has been sold as art, and I’m not trying to be a prude. However, I ask you: Is sex been cheapened when it is used as a constant tool to do things like sell movies, albums, products or services?
Future Generations Brainwashed
Take a stroll through the little girls’ sections of department stores and tell me what you see. Back in the day, had I saw that clothing I would have labeled it as very inappropriate. I’m sure you know a disturbingly young girl who has mastered the art of gyrating in this clothing just like their favorite performers (while mothers hang low, watching with silent pride). Now it’s considered normal for women over the age of 35 to want to become cougars, and the media packages “reality TV” that sells just that kind of sex. Some daytime soap operas have turned into soft-core pornography. Lil’ Wayne, Beyonce and Lady Gaga are all contributing to the early sexualization of youth. How many little kids see this and think it’s acceptable?
The line in the sand has been blurred plenty of times. Now popular media equates sex with entertainment and advertisement, as much as the Kardashians, Amber Rose and Mariah Carey’s pregnancy behind combined. Advertising geniuses created lustful lures they hoped we’d bite, as if we’re fish-brained. Sadly, it’s no surprise that they’ve caught millions of us.
Do You Notice a Double Standard?
A lot of arguments have swelled, pointing out that Madonna shared an open mouth kisses with both Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Janet Jackson and Madonna are both suggestive in their dance styles, and so was Michael Jackson. Both Madonna and Janet have had their dancers choreographed in submissive positions. Even during a live performance at the MTV Video Awards, the Russian musical duo t.A.T.u. invited hundreds of young girls in schoolgirl outfits to join them in suggestive dance. Of course there was little clothing and lots of kissing involved.
What about Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” song? That extremely suggestive tune basked in much commercial success, and was even nominated for a Grammy Award. But that isn’t the end. This is what is: It was nominated for favorite song at the 2009 Kid’s Choice Awards! With lyrics that include, “No, I don’t even know your name. It doesn’t matter. You’re my experimental game” and more leaves one to wonder if Adam Lambert were to release an “I Kissed a Boy” track, would it be nominated for any awards, let alone a Kid’s Choice Award? I think not.
Sex Equals Popularity in Modern Media
Lambert’s stunt hasn’t hurt his album’s sales thus far, but boosted his “stock.” Let’s face it, just like Lambert, stunts by Janet, Madonna and Britney helped them barely stay afloat during fizzling times in their careers. Is it manipulation or is it art?
I wasn’t offended by Lambert’s performance as much as I was fed up with the current state of entertainment. Even these music award shows secretly strive to feature some shocking act, so I expected as much, but not exactly what was given. The sad part about the performance is that Lambert’s talent is actually greater than his AMA performance showcased. I believe it hurt his performance, actually. His actions reminded me of a pre-adolescent teen showing off sex for attention. Did his routine remind you of lots of female music videos out now?
What’s Left in His 15-Minute Saga?
Lambert refuses to apologize, in spite of all the controversy surrounding his “staged” show. Do you think he should apologize? With claims that his dance moves were unrehearsed and not planned, did Lambert’s dancers really have no clue that they would be touched as they were? That particular question hasn’t been answered yet. Another question that is left to be answered is: will Adam Lambert or ABC need installment loans to recover from this self-inflicted controversy. Maybe? Maybe not?
Discussion of Who’ll Need Installment Loans after Lambert’s AMA Stunt?