By NYU Staff

Adam Lambert, February 2009 Source: Aaron Settipane

American Idol alum, Adam Lambert, set off a media frenzy with his raunchy performance at The 2009 American Music Awards on November 22nd.  He immediately came under fire from ABC, which broadcast the awards show.  As a result, Good Morning America canceled his performance the following day.

The Lambert camp wasn’t moved because CBS’ Early Show, NBC’s Today Show, and a slew of late night talk shows clamored to pick up GMA’s slack.

The big deal?  Well, aside from the wet french kiss Lambert landed on a male dancer, his crotch grabbing, and the simulation of oral sex with a woman and a man on stage…it’s regulation.  Though Lambert’s actions would be considered PG for most cable broadcasters, the FCC keeps network television on a tight leash.

Some say he’s being held to a double standard because he is a homosexual.  Certainly, Lambert thinks so.  In interviews following the performance, the Gothic rocker, pinpointed edgy performances by Lady Gaga and other female performers and stated that selling sexuality is something women have done for ages.

Still, the war has begun.  Liberty Counsel, a Christian lobby, has filed a complaint with the FCC against ABC for airing what it deemed “an outrageously lewd and filthy performance” by Lambert during the AMA’s.  Anita L. Staver, President of Liberty Counsel, told the press “the performance by Adam Lambert clearly crossed the line. ABC promoted Lambert’s performance to boost its ratings. Now ABC should have to pay a hefty penalty to the FCC for assaulting its viewers with a debased performance by Adam Lambert.”

But Lambert remains unapologetic, telling CBS’ Early Show that “I’m not a babysitter, I’m a performer.”

Regardless, the flood of requests for Lambert’s presence on competing shows is definitely a sign that networks need the attention…and the money.  This may signal a breaking down of the FCC’s grip on network television, since eyeballs bring ad money and money talks…

Certainly, Adam Lambert brought both to network television on that fateful night.