Adam Lambert – CBS Early Show – Interview and Performance – Video

Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 11:12 AM | American Idol 8
Tags: Adam Lambert, CBS Early Show, Interview, Music Again, Performance, Whataya Want From Me

Adam Lambert was at the CBS Early Show this morning.

During Adam’s interview he gave his now form responses to the questions about the controversial performance on the AMAs:

1. Adam admits that ABC was taken by surprise by his “impromptu” moves which he did not do during rehearsal (simulated oral sex, kissing a guy, etc.)
2. It did not cross his mind that children could be watching
3. He is unapologetic about offending people (he repeated his: “I’m not a baby sitter” comment)
4. He said that because he is a gay male that people have a double standard against him (even as the interviewer smartly pointed out people complained about the “venue” not him being gay)

But what made scratch my head again was when he said: “Sometimes I forget the camera is on.” Really? You are not aware that you are performing in front of millions of people? Very strange.

Here’s the interview video and performances of “Whataya Want From Me” and “Music Again”:

Interview:

Performances:

54 Comments for Adam Lambert – CBS Early Show – Interview and Performance – Video

1

Rickey, why do you hate Adam so much?? Really, give us all a reason….

Traci on November 25, 2009 at 11:18 am
2

yeah rickey why so hostile? i thought you were a fan before. remember the glambert paddles?

jermaine_sheppard on November 25, 2009 at 11:28 am
3

I think he did a awesome job, and still can’t believe that GMA thought that at 8:30 am..he would have had a provocative performance..and even considering the song choices, even at 11pm, his performance would have been the same….
Loved it !!

Kilby on November 25, 2009 at 11:31 am
4

as ive said before rickey is pathetic, he is waiting for adam’s down fall. well, sori u thought it would happen, but sori to burst ur bubble, it did and it wont happen ever…

by the way, 2 days only adam sales 65k already, and thats only two days,hah!!well, i dnt wana compare …hhhmmm

mayang on November 25, 2009 at 11:38 am
5

Adam is sounding pretty arrogant these days. I guess that he thinks that he is a shoo-in as a superstar. Maybe, he is.

Seems that the media coverage of him is going to his head.

This comment is coming from a big, former Adam fan.

Supershopper on November 25, 2009 at 12:03 pm
6

Yes, well Rickey takes things out of context. What he said was that he forgets the camera is one him because he comes from the musical theater. That makes sense… and as for you Rickey, I know you wanted this to kill Adam’s career but that’s not going to happen! He killed it on The Early Show. Interviewing his mom was awesome. And you could not ask for a better song than “What Do You Want From Me?” LOVE YOU ADAM!!

MeLovesAdam on November 25, 2009 at 12:06 pm
7

how is rickey being anti-adam at all? just because he is not defending adam’s obviously innapropriate performance like some of you deluded overly biased fans are does not mean he hates adam, he’s been ridiculously supportive of him with his album and everything.

rachel9isfine on November 25, 2009 at 12:08 pm
8

In defense of Rickey, I just think he’s like a lot of us. We’re waiting to see what happens and don’t think Adam is a long-term winner in show business. Why? Because he’s #2, and #2s dont have a good history of lasting long and going on to fame. However, I will give Adam this much: Being a student of show business he knows management and he’s studied the Madonnas of the world: shock and awe, get headlines and publicity. It peaks the interest.
I think he’s a good singer and he can work the stage. I’m just concerned about the lyrics he’s singing which are hetero….as a woman, I like the song What do you want from me, but I also have to ask myself — who is he singing it to? A man or a woman. And a lot of people will stop to think that way.
But it’s a very good song, probably the best I’ve heard so far.
Now, I want to know this and maybe you guys can answer it for me?
How is it that hetero women are falling over the gay guy? And not the married hetero guy? I don’t get it. Adam has the panties thrown at him, and Kris gets no love from the women.

Explain that to me.

Marie Ruffin on November 25, 2009 at 12:09 pm
9

rachel you obviously haven’t been reading his posts where he’s trying to tell everyone that adam’s album has been reduced to bargain bin status just because amazon was offering a deal for the mp3 download (along with rhianna’s, but rickey failed to mention that little tidbit). you can’t walk into a discussion if you haven’t been following along.

MeLovesAdam on November 25, 2009 at 12:13 pm
10

Definitely took everything he said out of context.

2. It did not cross his mind that children could be watching.

***He also points out that it’s 11pm and performers before him did and said things kids should not be listening to and parents should really take the responsibility. Crotch grabs, offensive lyrics, alcohol bottles***

3. He is unapologetic about offending people (he repeated his: “I’m not a baby sitter” comment)

***see comment above***

4. He said that because he is a gay male that people have a double standard against him (even as the interviewer smartly pointed out people complained about the “venue” not him being gay)

***you must be crazy to think that being gay has nothing to do with this. IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO. Are you up on politics? Do you know that hate crime against homosexuality has RISEN in 2008? You really think a mother is calling and complaining about someone performing something like this on AMAs? LMAO. No. He’s getting crap because he’s openly gay and HOMOPHOBIA still exists.***

I use to look up to you as a gay blogger icon, but you’re right up there with perez hilton now.

Migs on November 25, 2009 at 12:13 pm
11

I don’t get it. Ricky is taking flack for what — being honest?

Adam needs a reality check. Last time I checked, the world did not revolve around him.

Beth on November 25, 2009 at 12:15 pm
12

Sorry, meant to say hate crime has risen in 2008 and even more in 2009.

Migs on November 25, 2009 at 12:16 pm
13

Everyone should give Rickey thanks for this blog, whether he includes his opinion or not….a lot of bloggers from MJ to Roger Friedman add their opinions and comments….nothing wrong with it. I wish those of you criticizing Rickey would just back off.
Let’s give Adam 6 months and revisit this site to see how he’s doing. Right now, he’s the first out of the box with a lot of publicity….he definitely wants stardom and he’s willing to fight for it….and that’s what separates him from the other guy.

Marie Ruffin on November 25, 2009 at 12:16 pm
14

Rickey, no comment whatsoever about how he actually sang great and in tune during his performances? You still keep it on the interview and nothing else?
For crap sakes man, one bad performance that happened aroun 10:50pm! Get over it! I thought you were all “Let them all do well!” and “Yay! Let’s all celebrate thier talents!”
I don’t buy your excuse that a bunch of hot-head Glamberts hurt your feelings. Lambert isn’t the first idol with fantards and he won’t be last.
Like you said before after you told people that you heard Kris’s album was filled with Daughtry rejects, you’re just doing it for the hits.
So own up to it. If you act like your the better man, admit it and not play coy about it. At least Top Idol and Mj and Slezak say what they mean, and they still get fantards coming thier way. I expect more from a guy dances with a bra on top of his head.

PM on November 25, 2009 at 12:18 pm
15

Oh and to say being gay has nothing to do with it, when CBS aired the clip of Adam kissing a guy (from far away mind you), they BLURRED it but seconds later showed the kiss between Britney and Madonna and it was a close up, crystal clear…

Migs on November 25, 2009 at 12:19 pm
16

I think Rickey asked a reasonable question regarding forgeting the camera is on. The easy answer is that is how he has done so well from the start. He connects with his audience in front of him. If Rickey was a theatre professional he would know that. Instead Rickey is currently bitter about Kris Allen not selling tons of albums, and that is showing in his jumping to conclusions about Adam.

But Rickey is fiercely loyal and obsessive. Hence the site.

Sean on November 25, 2009 at 12:26 pm
17

Beth, Rickey stirs up Adam’s fans on purpose so really… you can’t complain when they call him out on it. I’m sure it’s a tactical move on his part. Kris’s fans alone could not keep hits coming to this site.

Stir up Glambert = Web Traffic!!!!!!!

MeLovesAdam on November 25, 2009 at 12:29 pm
18

Maybe I am crazy, which I probably am, but I do not see why everyone thinks RIckey hates Adam. A few posts back he admitted he LIKED Adam. I don’t see what is so offensive about Rickey’s opinion. It is just his opinion, on his blog, and he is entitled to it. I have to say, thanks for the posts RIckey, as I had to work and was not able to watch this at home.

Now for Adam, great interview, great vocals, loved the mom interaction, but the hair? It did not work for Vanilla Ice and I don’t see it working here. I did buy the album for 99 cents (thanks for the info RIckey) and love many of the songs on it. Adam is going to do just fine. He takes risks and is learning as he goes. He’s a smart, extremely talented individual who is not going to disappear any time soon. Keeping it positive the day before Thanksgiving.

lotus on November 25, 2009 at 12:34 pm
19

oh Shut the fuck up Madam…

keith on November 25, 2009 at 12:37 pm
20

is all some of you do is sit around and think about ways to glorify adam?!?! get a life really. the world does not revolve around this freak.

Salley on November 25, 2009 at 12:48 pm
21

we’ve got a president who runs around the world bashing our great nation, who won’t do nothing for this country but dine in fine and you ppl are more worried about what this idiot freak sales. please there are bigger issues ahead and for you not be appaud by this wretch of performance you have issues in your head

Salley on November 25, 2009 at 12:51 pm
22

I think Rickey is a bit miffed with Mr. Lambert because of his seemingly duplicitous nature. While it is certainly Adam’s prerogative not to pander to the gay agenda (e.g., the whole OUT brouhaha), at the same time he can’t turn right around and cry “discrimination because I’m gay”. Adam has made his bed. Now he has to lie in it. He can’t keep traipsing through it all and adjust his behaviour when it is convenient. People see through this, and this is why he is losing a lot of fans.

Thornton Mulchwegger on November 25, 2009 at 12:54 pm
23

Thanks guys for the support!

There are only a couple more weeks left before my coverage of Season 8 will diminish significantly, if it has not already.

Adam Lambert and his fans have been amazing to my blog (as well as the Internet in general), and I will always be thankful for that even if there are some “vocal” fans still stuck in Idol-mania and have a “you either get it or you don’t” attitude about stuff happening around Adam.

I like Adam Lambert, but on this issue, I cannot hide my disappointment in how he is using his “gay card” for personal gain and selfish reasons, specially after going after OUT Magazine for wanting him to talk about gay politics. Getting censored on TV for simulated oral sex is not the same as getting beheaded in Puerto Rico because you are gay. I am not going to go out and protest because I’m offended that West Coast viewers were deprived of seeing simulated oral sex, etc.

The quick defense of “I’m being discriminated against” is really disappointing. There are many gay people who think that what happened at the AMAs was not appropriate.

Again thanks! Remember: Don’t take any of these personally. It’s just a TV show. Adam will be around for a while to entertain you.

Rickey on November 25, 2009 at 1:08 pm
24

Preach it, Rickey.

Thornton Mulchwegger on November 25, 2009 at 1:13 pm
25

Love you, Rickey!!!!!

Chickyrees on November 25, 2009 at 1:17 pm
26

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-vogel/an-open-letter-to-adam-la_b_361733.html

MeLovesAdam on November 25, 2009 at 1:21 pm
27

Hey Adam.
Entitlement is not sexy!

Deb on November 25, 2009 at 1:27 pm
28

Adam was FANTASTIC on The Early Show. They kept him on, teasing us every so often, for the full two hours. I hope CBS’s ratings went through the roof. I noticed an extra amount of commercials. For anyone who missed the show there was a part where Adam interacted with his fans and it was great. He is a sweetheart and he looked gorgeous on my big screen TV. I felt like I was there. I think GMA goofed big time.
As for Adam not apologizing, what is the big deal? I believe him when he said he got carried away. How many of you are performers who know what it feels like to be up there on the stage? I also thought his suggestion that parents TIVO shows like the AMAS and check them out before their kids watch was great. I mean Janet did grab a crotch, and no one seemed to care.

Merle on November 25, 2009 at 1:28 pm
29

I love whataya want from me – great song and he sang it beautifully!!!! I don’t like Sexuals songs I even HATE Lady Gaga!!! She’s weird and so bazarre! People shouldn’t listen to those crappy songs it’s not good for the mind and soul!!! I was a big fan of Adam on Idol and love him then. I love his whataya want from me performance but hated his performance on AMA! Sooo unappropreiate. I love this Whataya want from me are there any other good songs on his album? I’m just not sure to buy it!!!

I’m def. sticking to my Country Roots – - Country music and def. Christian Music as well!!! I love these two genres!!! But I’m expanding my horizens but not the “bad” and weird kinds of lyrics. It has to have meaning!

Rickey, Thanks for the updates! I appreciate it and for the time you put through on this website! Keep up the good work! Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving!

Alyssa - PA on November 25, 2009 at 1:40 pm
30

Rickey, I like what you stated! It was unappropreiate of what adam did! He did take it toooo far. Why couldn’t he just sing noramally and just show off his amazing Mad vocals skills?

Oh well!!! I know he’ll perform better at other shows! Thanks!

Alyssa - PA on November 25, 2009 at 1:44 pm
31

Rickey,
I was counting on seeing your face in the crowd this am. Sad it wasn’t.
As to playing the gay card after resisting Out’s attempt to make him play it….fact is that it was discrimination and I find no fault in calling it what it was. Was he supposed to find some other reason just to avoid calling “a spade a spade”? (pun intended)
Quite frankly I would not have allowed a child to watch this whole show if I thought they would be negatively impacted. I think it has historically been a show that is age specfic (as in older the better as far as kids go). I would have stopped a younger child long before the final act…naked Rhianna, sort of naked Gaga, rape braggin Eminen, breast baring presenters….as it was my 15 year old son watched it and raised an eyebrow once or twice but when asked said “whadaya expect mom, he’s a rock guy and gay”, like it was no big deal (yay there is a more tolerant generation coming!). His only negative comment was that he had heard him sing better. SO rock on Adam!

Madamrocks on November 25, 2009 at 1:46 pm
32

What Jon Peter Lewis said.

Thornton Mulchwegger on November 25, 2009 at 2:02 pm
33

No discrimination Madamrocks. The female actions Adam cited are the reason we now have stricter requirements, which Adam thumbed his nose at. I’m surprised how close ABC was to just cutting to comercial nationaly, it had to be going through the head of the ABC lawyer on site who would have made the call.

chessguy99 on November 25, 2009 at 2:08 pm
34

Im with Ricky on this one and Im gay……this whole episode and the media’s obsession with it is sickening and Adam’s cries of discrimination are even worse. A simple focus on his actual music and you realize just what Adam is all about…..if the music aint gonna make him….he’s gonna make sure the controversary will…Ive always thought Adam was greatly overrated and Sunday Night Adam proved my point……this was Adam’s “gimme More Britney Spears ” moment and I think the album will quickly fade

Fabian on November 25, 2009 at 2:23 pm
35

Okay, Adam was not on key during the AMA’s. Whoever said that his singing was good or even okay, was not listening without bias. And his crude actions were not helpful to his performance. It was just plain bad. Not good. Adam lost instead of gaining fans. He’s new, so he should learn from this. My guess is that he hasn’t and will make more mistakes. Personally I think his head got too big, and he may not have talent to match up with it. Just sayin…it wasn’t good at all.

Shirley on November 25, 2009 at 2:28 pm
36

…and what Rickey said. Ditto!

Shirley on November 25, 2009 at 2:33 pm
37

Adam did a greeeatt job on this show…his vocals are absolutely amazing. And he made me laugh wen he said “if i were to go back i would sing better” and im glad he admits that. And seriously get over the ama’s…he rele has nothing to apologize for so whatever get the f*** overrrrrrr it. And hes not JUST gunna be around “for a while to entertain”, hes more than that, and he’ll be around for a long time. I love his songs, their great =). and hes right…he was showcasing the sexuality in the lyrics…theres ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with that. get over it. move on.

Love you Adam <3

Samantha on November 25, 2009 at 2:39 pm
38

I completely understand what he meant about the camera thing. Of course you are going to perform for the audience that is there to see you that is live. The theater teaches you to perform to the audience at hand. I don’t see why he should have to even think about all the people at home watching because if he did every single thing he does he couldn’t do then because to someone in this world anything will be offensive. People take offense differently and things that don’t seem offinsive to some may be to others. So he doesn’t need to stress about that. Just perform!

Kenny Cable on November 25, 2009 at 2:55 pm
39

He definitely sounded better today. I think the “I’m not a babysitter” comment is a copout, but I have to agree that he wasn’t the only offender in that regard and yet he has taken the most flak for it.

DJ on November 25, 2009 at 4:11 pm
40

Rickey, WELL SAID! That is exactly how I’ve been feeling. Like Supershopper, I am a former big Adam fan. I supported him all through AI, and post AI, and even post AMA performance. Not anymore. His lack of decorum and respect for people who don’t agree with his idea of entertainment really turned me off. I am disappointed that he continues to say he’s being discriminated against, that he’s not a babysitter, and not sorry about a thing. And now he sometimes forgets the camera is on? He cannot be serious. He.Is.A.Performer. No way he forgot the camera was on. It’s also lame that he would forgot children could be watching, c’mon….get real. Arrogant Adam he has become, and has lost all credibility with me. And to think I was an ardent supporter of his. Mom was right, he is a creep.

Fe on November 25, 2009 at 5:48 pm
41

OK OK…OK OK…Ill tell the truth why Rickey has a stink regarding Adam? For one 1. Adam & kris are close & Rickey loves Kris & it gets worse, Kris only sold 80.000 cd’s So that’s all it is Folks Hes jealous!!!!

Truth on November 25, 2009 at 5:51 pm
42

With regards to the forgetting the camera comment: have any of you performed on stage in front of a bunch of people? I’ve danced at competitions, packed college/high school auditoriums, half time shows for Pistons games, etc. Some of them were taped and it is something that you completely forget about while performing. You’re only in the moment, working off the music, the other people on stage with you, and the audience in front of you (sometimes they even seem to disappear). It’s difficult to explain if you haven’t experienced it. It’s the most natural high in the world, probably akin to something like skydiving or bungee jumping (haven’t done either, but trying to make a comparison). I don’t know for singers, but as a dancer I have had performances where I have walked off stage and had to ask myself what I just did because muscle memory took over. I can understand how one could get carried away in that type of moment where the adrenaline is pumping and you are so excited.

ballerina on November 25, 2009 at 7:17 pm
43

This is Rickey’s site. He will write whatever he wants.
Coming back to Adam -he sounded great today. Hope he focuses more on his singing than stupid controversies if he wants to gain more fans.

samy on November 25, 2009 at 7:20 pm
44

@Truth this is BS.I’m Gay 100 percent.I WAS adam fan all around season 8 and I bought all adam lambert’s albums.I’m 100% stand by rickey.I follow this blog from season 8 till now.it’s very reasonable for gay man with complex feeling about adam on his personality and on his music talent.over all.rickey is 110% honest and sincere person on my opnion.

Tsai on November 25, 2009 at 7:23 pm
45

Real mature, Truth. If you were paying attention to anything that Rickey has been saying and doing in support of Adam Lambert, you would be able to easily see that he is not jealous of Adam’s success over Kris’. Just stop.

I for one am very much in agreement with what Rickey said. So much so, I clapped. I am so sick and tired of the dismissive attitude that Adam and a lot of his fan base have taken. I am tired of your “get over it” attitude, because to me, you are basically saying you have no moralistic line and you could give a care about the opinions of people who would like to see a performer be a bit more reserved in such a public format. I am an Adam fan, have been from day one, saw the performance Sunday and still bought the album, because to me, it is about his music and not his sexuality. But, all of the support does not excuse the fact that he did go overboard on Sunday on the AMAs. The flip off of the audience RIGHT AT THE CAMERA was not seen by a lot of people, but it was a tip off to what he truly was thinking that night and what he was thinking is that he was going to do on stage whatever he wanted, no matter what others think. Adam is very much aware of his fan base and very much aware of the types of people who support him. He has even acknowledged the fact that he was surprised at the support and acceptance he has received through the Idol journey by those same people (he knows full well that he had many conservative minded people who were in full support of him). And he is just going to crap on that by way of one awards show? To think that everyone would be on board with what he did was naiveté at its best…or a truly very calculating move. His album sales are up and people are still talking about him. So is that the ticket? Sell yourself and what you stand for out like that? Do what you want for the publicity of it all, then cry wolf afterward? I think it’s a cheap shot. And not everyone who watched in offense Sunday have children. Sometimes, people just don’t want to see all of that. And it would only be fair to warn people SO THEY COULD turn off the tv. But, who had warning that that was what they were about to see.

sanggurl on November 25, 2009 at 9:23 pm
46

The distaste towards the place where Adam went has nothing to do with homophobia and everything to do with respectful decency. I thought most of the show was crappy with a few exceptional performances. I was bothered by much of what I saw, because I thought I was seeing the same, over-indulgent performance from one artist to the next. I thought that there was way too much over-sexed behavior through much of the show. I am not a prude, but I am one who hates the fact that we have gotten so far away from the music nowadays because everyone is trying to out-sex the previous person, they tend to lose the artistry of it all. I like things to be left to the imagination. Is there a double standard? Yes, to an extent. Not many were too offended by the crotch rub from Janet, or the barely there clothing of Rhianna or the gyrations of Shakira or the nude band-aid outfitting of Lady Gaga. These things paled in comparison to the place Lambert went. The degree of expressionism that Adam used on Sunday went far beyond anything any other artist did on that show that night, ON NETWORK TELEVISION. Bottom line, the performance was unnecessary, the vocals forgotten, the song an afterthought and his attitude that he has about people who took some offense is to me offensive. He is not established enough and even if he was there is still a level of decorum that he should consider as all artists should. The performance took so much away from him as an artist. I only hope this is a lesson learned and that he has a better attitude towards those who helped him get where he is now.

Funny thing. His AMAZING video for FYE is NOTHING like what he did on Sunday. Methinks there is major manipulation going on here.

sanggurl on November 25, 2009 at 9:24 pm
47

Thank you, Tsai. I totally agree with you…

sanggurl on November 25, 2009 at 9:27 pm
48

Sang sang!
Thank God I don’t have the air in me that you do, or id be spewing out unrealistic ideas of what an entertainer should or shouldn’t do , you have no knowledge of the bizz what- so- ever & if you think sex doesn’t sell in all forms slap yourself! In reality, Adam owes you and his fans nothing! All you did was vote, lust after him & bought a cd!I think you got your money’s worth. Some food for thought ! Respectful decency ? First off, you voted for a Gay man – & all that comes with that! Don’t play the law giver of whats right & wrong…because who’s law is right? & where did it come from? This path leads to morals. Common sense Tell’s you were it goes btw. just enjoy the show.

Truth on November 25, 2009 at 10:34 pm
49

inspite of everything he did good with his singing of Whatdaya want fr me and Music again. Wished he did both this songs on AMA and sang it plain and simple . I liked his singing on CBS.

May on November 25, 2009 at 10:55 pm
50

Do I actually find myself agreeing with Rickey’s comment here? When the hell did that happen???

jj on November 25, 2009 at 11:03 pm
51

He forgot there were cameras? I’m guessing he has some swamp land to sell us too. Adam, how dumb do you think people are?

zzzz on November 25, 2009 at 11:13 pm
52

at tracy (#1) THANK YOU! theres no reason 2 hate adam. just because he had an awesome performance doesnt mean his album will tank. in fact, his album is doing better than kris allen’s the supposive WINNER haha

becca on November 26, 2009 at 11:54 am
53

@zzzz…You need to read ballerina’s comment #42, then maybe you’ll ‘get it’. Remember, Adam has performed for years on stage without cameras. Do any of you have any idea what Europeans have on their tv’s? What Adam did looks tame compared to what they watch on a daily basis. They think Americans are so uptight about sex and I would have to say they’re right. Perversion is a matter of one’s beliefs and perception. Everyone has their own measure stick of that, and it doesn’t mean one person is right over another. Adam is being true to himself, and some of you are interpreting that to be that he is becoming arrogant or big headed, when he is simply trying to explain his belief system, and his desire to have the freedom to interpret his song on stage. I don’t feel he is just playing “the gay card”.

QuietStorm on November 28, 2009 at 1:59 am
54

I am a 59 year old, wife, mother, grandmother, and commercial model. I consider myself to be mainstream and fairly conservative.
I have followed Adam from his A.I. days. I bought his album the day it came out and love it, love it, love it! Look, the guy has tremendous vocals; a magical stage presence; a great personality; incredible interview skills; and is very well spoken.
Can’t we “like” or “dislike” his music and stage performances without tainting that choice with our own personal views on his sexuality? Until you are in the other persons shoes; lived his life and been down his path, can you really know what it is like to be Adam Lambert?
If you are angry about his AMA performance, keep in mind he is 25 years old,and new to his role. He will make career mistakes, don’t we all?

Carol Quinn on December 2, 2009 at 12:13 am