Adam Lambert fallout begins

Reuters

TALKING POINT: Adam Lambert performs at the American Music Awards.

Adam Lambert backlash begins

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Singer Adam Lambert was kicked off one morning TV show and snapped up by a rival after his sexually-charged performance on a live music awards show made him one of the most risky and sought-after celebrities in the United States.

Lambert, the gay, glam rocker who finished as runner-up in the TV show American Idol in May, caused a furore at the American Music Awards last Sunday with a sado-masochistic themed rendition of his debut single that included simulating oral sex and kissing a male keyboard player.

The ABC television network, which got more than 1500 complaints after broadcasting the awards show, cancelled Lambert's scheduled Wednesday appearance on its Good Morning America news and talk show.

"Given his controversial American Music Awards performance, we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning," an ABC News spokesperson said.

But CBS rival The Early Show booked Lambert for Wednesday morning. It said the singer would perform live and discuss his AMA appearance, parts of which were cut when the American Music Awards aired later Sunday on the US West Coast.

Lambert, who showed a penchant for shocking viewers on Idol with flamboyant costumes, black eyeliner and a vast vocal range, is promoting his debut album, also called For Your Entertainment, which was released on Monday.

By Tuesday, the album had soared to No. 4 on Apple's iTunes album charts, overtaking the soundtrack to the blockbuster Twilight movie sequel New Moon.

Lambert has defended his American Music Awards performance, saying his goal was not to offend but to "promote freedom of expression and artistic freedom".

He told Rolling Stone magazine that his act was no different from erotically-charged music videos and stage shows by female singers like Madonna and Lady GaGa "but the minute a man does it, everybody freaks out".

Media watchdog the Parents Television Council urged its members to complain to both ABC, the corporate sponsors of the American Music Awards, and the Federal Communications Commission, which can impose fines on network broadcasters for airing indecent, obscene and profane material.

Apart from US states in the central time zone - such as Oklahoma, Iowa and Illinois - Lambert's performance was aired outside the 6 am-10pm period in which the FCC considers children are likely to be watching.

- Reuters