American Music Awards: Keeping it classy!
- November 23, 2009 11:31 AM |
- By Arts Online
Illustration by Jillian Tamaki
No one tuning into the American Music Awards on Sunday night could have been expecting a display of decorum. The AMAs have always been the most dubious of the major music award shows -- crass as hell, with no pretense of rewarding true artistry. Sales is the main determiner of who wins, but there are also bizarre handouts that defy logic altogether.
Last night, Whitney Houston took home the International Award of Excellence, for nothing more, it seems, than releasing a middling album and not collapsing during live performances. Michael Jackson won four trophies because... because... because everyone feels really bad that he died this year.
But the handing out of awards is merely a stop-gap between the performances, which set new standards of debauchery every year. The big talking point today is Adam Lambert's first post-American Idol performance, of his debut single, For Your Entertainment, which featured, among other things, simulated fellatio and what looked like a gay kiss. All I can say is that a guy with this much talent doesn't need to resort ot such tiresome shock tactics.
Never to be outdone, Lady Gaga was on hand to class the place up. She started out in a flesh-coloured unitard, capering around and grabbing her crotch to the strains of her new hit, Bad Romance. Then, switching gears, she approached a large glass box that housed a piano. Using her mic stand, she smashed the case and proceeded to pound out her power ballad Speechless, a poor cousin to Elton John's Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me.
What do you think, folks? Did the American Music Awards set a new standard for debauchery and garishness?
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Comments (8)
Shocking! Thought Adam Lambert was amazing until last night. He made Lady Gaga look tame. He either got some really bad advice (what's up with Paula Abdul's choreography) or he doesn't want to succeed in the music industry. What a turn off! He's got so much talent; no need to pretend he's in a porno in front of millions of viewers (is this a family show)? His parents must have been embarrassed. Good thing Janet Jackson wasn't performing with him, more than her nipple would have found spotlight.
I thought Adam Lamberts performance was amazingly fresh and new,I look forward to hearing & seeing more from him.
His performance had more class & hands above the rest for singing talent, especially over lady ga gag.
Adam Lambert has ba**s of brass for this performance.
I only tuned in to the opening number, with Janet Jackson, because I had heard Nico and Natallie, from So You Think You Can Dance Canada's first season, were in her dance crew. I saw them, I thought that Janet was covered up a lot but nicely, and I switched the channel.
I watched Lambert's performance last night. He is talented there is no getting away from that. Not my cup of tea but I do appreciate talent when I see it. I think his performance was a calculated risk. I also think he did nothing or suggested no more than women have been doing for years especially amongst black artists. Even Lady GaGa pushed the envelope last night. But America has a real hang up about being a male and being gay. Lesbianism has always been more "acceptable". But Lambert's shock performance was bound to rile the masses...especially the bible thumping country music artists and fans and the "I want to thank the Lord first and foremost for this award" participants. I agree with Lambert there is indeed a double standard when it comes to performances of this kind. SO I say suck it up and move on.
I'll probably get my post blocked for this but here goes ahem....Janet Jackson performance was incredible to see the 40 year old pop legend still showed her 80's songs are still relavent. But we only heard a taste of her 90's greatest hits. Whitney performed and made me realize how catchy vocals and over hyped popularity can make you millions for not really doing anything. Eminem performed, the producer might as well should of held the mute button, cmon Emeniem you should be smarter then that. Last but not least the last guy who perfomred first seemed intresting with his artful performance. But then everything turned into a showcase original with crotch grabs and make out kisses which to me at first made me think I was out of touch. But then I realized I'm not a spoiled millionaire and ABC OR NBC should really think twice about what they allow on the air. Cmon there's gota be 8-12 kids wondering where there innocense went. It went down Adam Lambert's pants.
Yes the Adam Lambert performance was like bad broadway, gross - but some of the performances were great. So happy that Taylor Swift won the awards. She is so talented that she does not have to act like a stripper or whatever. Go good to see the awards go to her..
"AMAs have always been the most dubious of the major music award shows -- crass as hell, with no pretense of rewarding true artistry"
YOU NAILED IT!
Wow. Where has t.v. gone to? There are really no limits to what they put on the air. My daughters are 11 and 15. They still watch The Disney Channel and The Nanny reruns and that's fine with me.
I saw Lady Gaga in concert this summer with my sister, niece and my girls. She was a little crazy but nothing too bad. Other acts seem to swear a lot. But then again it's a crap shoot being kids to a concert. You never know what to expect. I had my reservations. But it's a live concert so anything goes.
However on t.v. it's different. They can obviously censor stuff if they want to. The t.v. stations no longer have scruples. They just don't care. The only word left that hasn't been used on major t.v. stations is the F word. But one day they'll probably let that pass too.
As far as Janet Jackson. I have no respect for her. Her little clothing malfunction mishap on stage with Justin Timberlake at the super bowl a few years back or so proved she too has no class.
Adam Lambert you don't either.