Good Morning America Cancels Adam Lambert Appearance After Racy AMA Performance
November 24, 2009
On ABC’s Sunday night broadcast of the 2009 American Music Awards, American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert gave a show-stopping performance of his lead single “For Your Entertainment,” that ultimately proved to be quite controversial.
Since coming out on the cover of Rolling Stone in June, there’s no denying that Lambert has become the most prominent openly gay music performer of the year. In a show packed with A-List talent such as Whitney Houston, Jay-Z, Kelly Clarkson, and the openly bisexual Lady Gaga, Lambert was chosen for the plum show-closing performance at the AMA’s, a strong testament to America’s anticipation for his debut album, For Your Entertainment, which was released yesterday.
Prior to the show, Lambert promised MTV that his AMA performance would be “sexy” and he certainly delivered. Strutting amongst leather-clad musicians and dancers, Lambert made out with a male keyboardist, danced suggestively with numerous dancers of both genders and simulated oral sex with a male dancer on a leash. The simulated oral sex was censored for the West Coast broadcast, though the rest of the performance was shown in full.
Not surprisingly, the performance sparked the ire of the anti-gay Parent’s Television Council which called on its members to contact ABC and Dick Clark Productions. ABC says they has received 1,500 complaints, though they also say this is only a “moderate” number. It’s unlikely ABC will face any fines from the FCC, which does now allow “indecent material” between the hours of 6-10 PM. Lambert took the stage well after 10 PM.
The fall out continued this morning as ABC’s Good Morning America announced that they had canceled tomorrow’s planned performance by Adam Lambert. In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, they said:
“Given his controversial American Music Awards performance, we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning.”
GLAAD has reached out to ABC to voice our concerns. In positive news however, the above Entertainment Weekly article also reports that CBS‘ The Early Show has booked Lambert to appear, as has David Letterman, so be sure to tune in to CBS tomorrow for your Adam Lambert fix!
Related Posts:Where We Are on TV: An Update
October 30, 2009
In the ever-changing television landscape, nothing is ever certain, particularly when it comes to LGBT representation. Just weeks after GLAAD released its 14th annual “Where We Are on TV” study, noteworthy changes have already occurred in the broadcast TV landscape.
FlashForward's Janis Hawk (Christine Woods)
The study reported that Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy would be the only lesbian series regular on network television. That changed when plot developments revealed that FBI agent Janis Hawk (Christine Woods) is a lesbian on the hit new series FlashForward, also on ABC. In last week’s episode, Janis went on a first date with an attractive woman named Maya. Although Janis was shot at the end of the episode, Janis does survive…though in the violent world of FlashForward she should watch her back lest our lesbian count drop back down to one. ABC recently announced it had picked up the series for an extended 25-episode first season.
Another noteworthy development came this past Monday when NBC’s Trauma definitively revealed the identity of its gay character, who was counted but unidentified in our study. Word had spread earlier that San Francisco paramedic Tyler Briggs (Kevin Rankin) was the gay character. Sure enough, in the Halloween-themed episode, Tyler came out to his partner Cameron Boone after Tyler had had enough of Boone’s homophobic jokes in the middle of the Castro. Unfortunately, NBC announced Wednesday that it would not be picking up additional episodes of Trauma beyond the original 13-episode order. The remaining eight episodes are expected to complete production and make it to air.
Trauma's Tyler Briggs (Kevin Rankin)
Besides the impending loss of Trauma, NBC also announced the cancellation of the critically-acclaimed Southland before its second season could even premiere. But there is still hope for Southland’s Officer John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz) as TNT is reportedly interested in picking up the show. This news does not bode well for NBC’s LGBT representation, which looked promising coming into the new season. NBC’s primary LGBT characters now reside on The Office, Heroes and Mercy, which recently received a full season pick-up.
Additionally, if recent internet speculation on AfterEllen and other sites proves true, The Good Wife could become the only scripted series on CBS to feature a series regular member of the LGBT community. Though CBS has not yet confirmed this, subtle dialogue has suggested that investigator Kalinda Sharma (Archie Panjabi) could indeed be bisexual. We look forward to following this story and hope the The Good Wife will signal some progress for a network that has been lagging in scripted LGBT representation.
In the coming months The CW will see a rise in LGBT inclusion. Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello confirmed yesterday that 90210’s barely-there lesbian, Gia (Rumer Willis), will be getting some major screen time come January when she embarks on a relationship with series regular Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes). If the following statement from executive producer Rebecca Sinclair is any indication, we may have to start counting Adrianna as a bisexual character as this likely won’t be a mere ratings stunt:
“This isn’t a fling,” insists executive producer Rebecca Sinclair. “We’re coming at this [relationship] from a genuine place and not going, ‘Let’s do a titillating story that will grab some promotion.’ This is a real aspect of teenager life that’s interesting… And there’s been a real void in the 90210 universe in terms of gay and bisexual characters.”
This is shaping up to be an interesting season on many fronts! Check the glaadBLOG for TV Gayed, our weekly listings that bring you the latest on what’s LGBT on TV!
Related Posts:Same-Sex Ballroom Champions Featured on Tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance
September 16, 2009
After getting into hot water with GLAAD over comments made when a same-sex ballroom couple was featured in season five, Fox’s So you Think You Can Dance takes another stab at featuring a same-sex pair tonight and the results are a significant improvement.During the season five audition rounds in May, head judge and producer Nigel Lythgoe gave harsh critique to same-sex ballroom couple Misha Belfer and Mitchell Kiber that focused more on their sexual orientations than on their talent. Additionally, the editing of the episode was problematic: Misha and Mitchell were shown leaving while James Brown was heard singing “This is a man’s world, but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl.” GLAAD issued a call to action after the episode aired and Lythgoe subsequently issued an apology.
Jacob Jason (l.) and Willem De Vries (r.)
Tonight, same-sex ballroom champions Jacob Jason and Willem De Vries audtion with vastly improved results. In their intro package, Jacob and Willem state that they wanted to audition for SYTYCD despite what happened to Misha and Mitchell to show that there is “a world of same-sex dancers.”
Jacob and Willem run the Balliamos Dance Studio in West Hollywood, CA and were just featured on Daniel Leary’s “Mores for Gays” video blog for AfterElton.com this past Monday.
(from left) Judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Mia Michaels
During tonight’s performance Jacob and Willem performed a beautiful routine so genuine it moved Mia Michaels to tears. Michaels and Murphy praised their technique and the emotion that they conveyed. Lythgoe got the last word and said “thank you for showing me that same-sex ballroom dancing can be very strong and very good.” We are pleased with the overall tone of the comments and that Lythgoe and the judges responded favorably to GLAAD’s outreach. This outreach will affect how millions of everyday Americans will experience the show. The judges advanced the pair to the choreography round. Tune in tonight to see if they make it to the Vegas semi-finals!
In related news, EW.com reported this morning that openly gay director and choreographer Adam Shankman will be joining SYTYCD as a permanent judge beginning with the Top 20 performance show on October 27. GLAAD applauds So You Think You Can Dance and Fox for adding Shankman to the panel and for giving these openly gay dancers the respect and equal consideration they deserve. We look forward to following the show through its sixth season!
Related Posts:GLAAD Network Responsibility Index Covered by The Tonight Show; SyFy Promises Change
July 30, 2009
GLAAD’s third annual Network Responsibility Index, which analyzes the quantity, quality and diversity of LGBT images on television, spread across the internet, radio and television following its release early Monday morning.
The Associated Press broke the story at 12:01am on July 27 and was promptly picked up numerous outlets, including popular blogs such as Towleroad, Socialite Life and AfterEllen. The story was also carried by major news outlets, including The Huffington Post, ABC News, USA Today, and Entertainment Weekly.
In print, The Hollywood Reporter ran a front page story on the Network Responsibility Index. The print editions of The New York Times and The New York Daily News also picked up the story.
GLAAD’s Senior Director of Media Programs, Rashad Robinson, was interviewed about the report by CBS Radio and KFWB in Los Angeles. On TV, CNN’s Showbiz Tonight and American Morning reported on GLAAD’s findings, but perhaps the most memorable (and hilarious) reference to the Network Responsibility Index came courtesy of Conan O’Brien on The Tonight Show:
TV Guide‘s Matt Mitovich also did an excellent job of covering GLAAD’s report. After his initial story, Mitovich reached out to the networks that received Failing grades in the Network Responsibility Index. Although most declined comment, SyFy’s executive vice president of original content, Mark Stern, touted several gay characters on upcoming series.
Ming-Na as Camille Wray in Stargate: Universe
From TVGuide.com:
“On Stargate Universe, one of the main female characters, we discover, is a lesbian and has a wife at home. It’s a pretty important facet of who that character is,” he says. ER alum Ming-Na plays intergalactic diplomat Camille Wray, while 24’s Reiko Aylesworth recurs as her wife.
Similarly the Galactica prequel spin-off Caprica has at least two main characters depicted as being in gay relationships. “[One] is a ‘goodfella’-type, and we discover in a nonchalant way that he is gay, with a husband,” Stern says. “It was very interesting to me to take what is traditionally a very heterosexual role in an organization that we think of as being extremely homophobic, and put a gay character in that world in a very normalized way.”
We commend SyFy for working to ensure the LGBT community is fairly represented in their original programming and hope that the other networks will take our recommendations to heart as well.
Related Posts:T.R. Knight on the Cover of Latest Entertainment Weekly
July 23, 2009
Entertainment Weekly’s resident “Master of Television,” Michael Ausiello, has his first cover story this week and it’s a great one: an interview with T.R. Knight that provides insight on his departure from Grey’s Anatomy.
In the exclusive interview, Knight not only discusses his decision to leave Grey’s, but also talks about publicly coming out:
This fall, Knight was surprised to see his character George O’Malley all but vanish from the show — for the first nine episodes of season 5, he appeared on screen a total of only 48 minutes, compared to 114 for Sandra Oh’s Christina. Still, due to what he calls a gradual “breakdown of communication” between himself and exec producer Shonda Rhimes, the actor chose not to ask his boss what was going on with his character. Instead, he simply asked to leave. “My five-year experience proved to me that I could not trust any answer that was given [about George],” he explains. “And with respect, I’m going to leave it at that.”
Though he was unknown when Grey’s premiered, Knight soon emerged as one of the breakout stars (and even earned a supporting actor Emmy nod in 2007), but it was what came to be known as “Isaiahgate” that would catapult him to household-name status. After Isaiah Washington referred to Knight as a “f—-t” during an on-set argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey, the tabloids caught wind of it, Knight came out in the press, and Washington was fired. While Knight doesn’t specifically fault Rhimes for how the situation was handled behind the scenes, he says the exec producer was among those who tried to discourage him from coming out: “I think she was concerned about having my statement come out so close to the [initial] event.” Rhimes denies this: “I said, ‘If you want to come out, that’s awesome.’”
The issue comes out tomorrow, so if you’re not one of the lucky subscribers who will find T.R.’s adorable mug in their mailboxes, be sure to rush out to the nearest newsstand to grab a copy!
Related Posts:Neil Patrick Harris to Host 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
July 2, 2009
Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello is on a roll with the scoop this week! Multiple sources have confirmed to Ausiello that Neil Patrick Harris has been tapped to host the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 21st on CBS.
NPH received raves as host of the Tony Awards in June
From the Ausiello Report:
An official announcement is expected early next week.
As pointed out by Variety, which was first to report the NPH negotiations, Emmy producers are under pressure to boost the kudocast’s ratings and critical reception in the wake of last year’s apocalyptic reality quintet train wreck. (The opening “comedy” routinestill gives me nightmares.)
Harris, meanwhile, is coming off of a rapturously received Tony hosting stint. He’s also one of CBS’ biggest stars, so the cross-promotional possibilities with HIMYM (which kicks off its new season the night after the Emmys) are endless.
It’s a no-brainer, folks!
In addition to the brilliant Tony gig, NPH also brought the house down earlier this year as host of the TV Land Awards. Emmy night could be interesting for our beloved host if, as expected, he receives another nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
You just have to love Neil Patrick Harris. Time and time again he keeps proving that coming out is actually really great for your career!
Related Posts:T.R. Knight Returns to the Stage
July 1, 2009
In June we confirmed the sad news that T.R. Knight would indeed be leaving Grey’s Anatomy after five seasons and one Emmy nomination as Dr. George O’Malley. However, Knight will remain a busy man as the seasoned thespian will be taking on two new stage roles!
T.R. Knight in the Guthrie Theater production of "Amadeus"
First came news that Knight would be headlining a Los Angeles revival of the 1998 musical Parade, about Jewish factory worker Leo Frank who was falsely accused of raping and murdering a 13-year-old girl. (Wicked, this is not.) Knight will be playing Leo Frank in the Mark Taper Forum production which begins previews September 24 and opens October 24.
And then yesterday, Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello confirmed that following Parade, Knight will head to Broadway to star as Max in the Stanley Tucci-directed revival of the comedy Lend Me a Tenor, which is scheduled to open in February 2010.
Fans who only know T.R. Knight from his role on Grey’s may not know that the stage was actually the actor’s first home, having performed in numerous regional productions in Minneapolis, MN. Knight then moved to New York and appeared in Broadway productions of Noises Off and Tartuffe, as well as in many Off-Broadway shows, before landing the breakout role of Dr. O’Malley.
Related Posts:T.R. Knight Leaving Grey’s Anatomy
June 18, 2009
Entertainment Weekly’s master of anything and everything pertaining to television, Michael Ausiello, confirmed yesterday what had been rumored for months: T.R. Knight is leaving Grey’s Anatomy.
R.I.P. George O'Malley
From The Ausiello Files:
Fall’s still months away, but one of last season’s bigger Grey’s Anatomy cliffhangers has already been resolved: Sources confirm to me exclusively that T.R. Knight’s wish to be released from his contract has been granted. The official decision, I’m told, came down in the past few days, just as many of his castmates began receiving their formal pickup letters from ABC.
Knight’s departure would seem to confirm that George doesn’t survive, although fans have wondered whether (creator Shonda) Rhimes is planning to pull an Elizabeth Reaser (Jane Doe/Rebecca) and have him live, only to be replaced by another actor, thanks to plastic surgeon Sloane’s handiwork. That’s “hilarious, ridiculous,” the boss has said. However, I’ve heard that she was interested in having Knight appear in next season’s first three episodes, but a short-term deal could not be brokered.
As if the season finale wasn’t enough of a tearjerker, brace yourselves for a season premiere that is sure to put us all through the wringer!
So what’s next for Knight now that he’s putting our beloved George O’Malley to rest? A veteran of the Broadway stage, rumor has it he will return to his theatrical roots in a revival of the comedic play Lend Me a Tenor. Knight will be missed on Grey’s, but whatever he does end up doing, we wish him all the best!
Related Posts:Adam Lambert on the Cover of New Entertainment Weekly
May 8, 2009
He hasn’t even won yet, but Entertainment Weekly has put Adam Lambert on the cover of their May 15 issue, on newsstands today!
To early to call it? We think not!
The cover dubs Adam “the most exciting American Idol contestant in years…and not just because he might be gay.” Though his sexual orientation has not been directly addressed on the show, we noted in an earlier post that Adam has long been active in the LGBT benefit circuit as well as the Upright Cabaret.
Even if Kris Allen or Danny Gokey ultimately end up becoming the eighth American Idol, it’s clear that Adam has had a significant impact on the Idol voters thanks to his electrifying performances. Week after week, Adam’s fans have waited with excitement to see what he would do next and has never disappointed. Indeed, his one trip to the bottom two was the most shocking results show of the season.
Win or lose, Adam has created a large fan-base that seems likely to guarantee him a promising future as a performer. But let’s be honest here…we want him to win! So everyone make sure to vote during these final two weeks because we are beyond ready for the first gay American Idol!
EW Names The 50 Sexiest Movies Ever; Ten Are LGBT
November 24, 2008
Entertainment Weekly loves its lists. The outlet has counted down the 100 Greatest Movie Moments, the 50 Smartest People in Hollywood and the 25 Most Controversial Movies Ever. So it’s about time they created a list of the sexiest films, dontcha think?
glaadBLOG wanted to know how many of those sexy films included LGBT content, especially with a list whose top five all featured opposite-sex trysts in unusual locales, including a hotel lounge (Out of Sight), a newspaper office (His Girl Friday), a dance floor (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), a beachside bar (Body Heat) and on a baseball field (Bull Durham).
But a hot kiss shared between best friends in a Mexico Hotel lead the gay pack of sexy movies, with Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001) coming in at number seven. According to EW, “A drunken, boisterous celebration escalates into a sensuous threeway. As [Ana Lopez] Mercado heads south of the border, the guys unexpectedly — and passionately — kiss.” Ay caramba!
Mulholland Drive (2001) is ranked 17, because of the heat generated between stars Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring. Basically the whole movie is sexy, regardless of its enigmatic storyline.
The 18th sexiest movie is Swimming Pool (2003). Sarah (Charlotte Rampling) fantasizes about voluptuous Julie (Ludivine Sagnier), which isn’t too much of a stretch, being as Julie’s either naked or mostly naked throughout the film.
Coming in at number 21 is Basic Instinct (1992). Love it or hate it, Sharon Stone plays a hyper-sexual bad girl. The sexiest moment? EW says it best: “Duh. The interrogation.”
Number 29 is the Wachowski brothers’ Bound (1996). Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon. ‘Nuf said.
Following Bound is Maurice (1987), ranked number 30. Maurice (James WiIlby) and Clive (Hugh Grant) play Cambridge school mates in 1910 whose relationship blossoms into a romance for the ages.
Cruel Intentions (1999) is ranked 32 specifically because “Vixenish Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar) coaxes doe-eyed Cecile (Selma Blair) to kiss her. Their lips part to reveal a strand of saliva that lingers as they pull away. Drool never looked so enticing.”
The 39th sexiest movie is The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999). “Anthony Minghella’s film is infused with old-world luster and sultry jazz, but when Tom [Matt Damon] and Dickie [Jude Law] play a simple game of chess — over a bathtub, with Law naked inside — every move is an advance and a rebuff.”
Number 47: Kissing Jessica Stein (2002). “Hoping to get lucky, two lunkheads approach the ladies at a restaurant and proceed to extol the virtues of girl-on-girl action — all while Helen [Heather Juergensen] secretly fondles Jessica’s [Jennifer Westfeldt] thigh under the table.” Check please!
Yossi & Jagger (2003) comes in at number 49. Described as “a less tormented version of Brokeback Mountain’s Jack and Ennis,” the main characters — two Israeli soldiers — keep their coupling a secret. The sexiest moment, you ask? “The guys go at it, fully clothed, on a snowy hillside. Because we see mostly close-ups of their faces as they make out, joke, and laugh, what’s sexy is their sweet delight in one another.”
Is it getting hot in here?
Grey’s Anatomy Introduces New Bi Storyline… And It Doesn’t Involve Callie or Erica
October 28, 2008
What is going on over at Seattle Grace? Just when Callie and Erica were starting to hit their groove as the hospital’s newest, hottest couple, Meredith’s old best friend, Sadie (played by Melissa George) will arrive on the scene next month to reveal her own desire for both sexes…
Ellen Pompeo and Melissa George
Starting November 13, Melissa George will start a multi-episode arc as a bisexual intern at the hospital with a sordid past involving Meredith. Sure, they’re friends, but word has it the two might have shared more than just a backpack during their world-traveling adventure years ago.
Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello interviewed the newest addition to Seattle Grace. Her answers may surprise you….
AUSIELLO: Tell me about Sadie.
MELISSA GEORGE: I’m dying to find out more about her because her behavior is so interesting. She’s a girl that walks on the wild side. She’s very close with Meredith; they were best friends. They traveled around the world together. And when Meredith went to work at Seattle Grace, Sadie went to work at a morgue. I’m dying to know why she behaves so recklessly. Anyone who behaves like that has to have a lot of issues.For the record, is she bisexual or a lesbian?
She just takes anything — whatever walks in front of her. [Laughs] If it’s a male, she’ll go for it. If it’s a female, she’ll go for it. She doesn’t think attraction should be [limited] by gender. I sort of look at people and go, “Wow, how do you live like that?” But she seems to get a thrill out of shocking people.The obvious question: Did Mer and Sadie “experiment” back in the day?
We don’t know. But that’s what’s so intriguing: What happened between these two? It’s brought up a lot [on the show], but we’ve never revealed what happened.But something happened.
I think so. There’s a lot of [Mer-Sadie] dialogue like “Don’t tell them what happened!” So, something did happen, but I’m not sure what.They obviously traveled together and were very close. Did they date? Did they not? Did something major happen to them that they swore they’d never discuss? It could be anything.How long are you committed to the show for?
I’m here for a while. I’m sort of playing it by ear. I’d love to stay as long as possible. I’m shooting my fourth one this week, and I don’t think it’s stopping.Conventional Grey’s wisdom has you gravitating toward one of Seattle Grace’s other two bisexual docs, Callie or Erica. Do you know which one it’ll be?
They haven’t told me, and I’ve been asking them every day, “Which one am I going to be making out with?” Or not! It could be one of the guys. I just said yes to Grey’s Anatomy, the greatest show on TV. I didn’t say, “What do I have to do?” So I’m sort of looking around going, “Which one is going to be my girl or my guy?”Last season at this time, there were no bisexual characters on Grey’s. Now there are at least three. Is there something in the water at Seattle Grace?
I’m not sure. Maybe they’re not getting the right victims coming through the door so they’re bored. [Laughs] Bisexuality exists. It’s common. I guess they’re experimenting with it.
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursday nights at 9/8c on ABC.
