Editorial: Idol gossip

OPINION: Memo to all those people worried about Adam Lambert's performance: have you not seen any music videos lately?

The runner-up to what's-his-name on American Idol is causing a storm of protest in the United States for his performance on the American Music Awards. While woman have kissed (each other), and legions of rock stars have paraded round with scantily clad women in all kinds of combinations and constructions, Lambert's act has been deemed too rude.

Part of it was censored and removed from broadcast. Some television talk shows have cancelled appearances by Lambert as the criticism increases. It's turning into a big story.

This would obviously have nothing to do with Lambert being gay.

This is the same audience that lapped up the Madonna and Britney Spears' public display of affection.

But the performance has done Lambert's sales no harm, which was probably the point. The man who makes a point of looking like an extra from the Rocky Horror Picture Show has shown those New Moon vampires a thing or two about sales success.

He can sing, and that's always a plus, but show business today is also about putting on a show. In these days of lip synching it's often more important how you look than how you sound.

American audiences can be hard to judge. And what goes down well on the coasts may not play so well in the Mid-West or the South. Just as well the country is big enough to cope with most things.

And speaking of success, in a good news story, congratulations to Stan "The Man" Walker for winning Australian Idol. Australian born, he lived in New Zealand for many years before moving to Coolangatta. He's a Mozzie, a Maori Aussie now, but we'll claim him as a Kiwi.

Hamilton certainly is. Walker was a Year 8 pupil at Fairfield Intermediate in the city when the music teacher first noticed his abundant talent. Helen Mackenzie had never heard a student sing as well at that stage of their lives and has never heard it again.

His performances have been spectacular, his is a great yarn and his choice of material unique. Any man who can cover Beyonce's All the Single Ladies is worth watching.

Walker's story is inspiring as told; a family embroiled in the gang scene in New Zealand has found success in Australia with the help of Christian faith. From all accounts it was the way out of an almost Once Were Warriors existence.

Walker's win makes him the poster boy for taking a few risks, having a go, but moving away from the middle of the road expectations.