ABC has bounced Adam Lambert, again, this time from late night’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” a move that appears to have vindictive overtones.
The move comes only one day after actor Rupert Everett, 50, who has been openly gay for 20 years, blasted Hollywood for homophobia. He advised gay performers like Lambert to stay in the closet.
The “American Idol” runner up broke the news himself on his Twitter account. ”Yes, sadly friends, ABC has canceled my appearances on Kimmel and NYE (New Year’s Eve).” He asked fans not to blame the network, but the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which oversees network standards.
ABC annual show ”New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” was originally slated to include Lambert, but the Dick Clark-produced event appears to be off the table at the moment.
The FCC in the past has fined networks for what it considers indecent performances. But the FCC, which aggressively enforced its rules under the Bush administration, has not indicated whether it will take action, which may signal a shift of policy under the Obama administration.
Lambert said he will still be doing the Jay Leno show on NBC. CBS aired his AMA performance on its “Early Show” after ABC cancelled his appearance on “Good Morning America.”
CBS drew almost as much heat after it blurred video footage of the kiss between Lambert and the keyboard player.
‘It’ll all blow over. Let’s focus on being positive! :),” Lambert wrote.
Lambert was booked to perform on Kimmel’s outdoor stage December 17 before his performance at the Nov. 22 American Music Awards.
The openly gay Lambert caused an uproar with a rendition of his debut single, “For Your Entertainment,” that included simulating oral sex and French kissing a male keyboard player. Later Lambert said it was no different than Madonna kissing Britney Spears.
Disney/ABC Television Group president Anne Sweeney recently said the company is reviewing the steps it takes to vet live performances and plans to contractually obligate artists to follow their rehearsals in their stage shows.
The announcement suggests Lambert’s actions were improvised without network knowledge.
“We certainly don’t want to suppress artistry at any level, but we also have to be very cognizant of who our audience is,” Sweeney said.
RELATED POSTS: CHECK OUT THESE TOP STORIES
