14 DAY TRIAL // ABC canceled Adam Lambert’s appearance on Good Morning America, saying he was too unpredictable a performer for live television and adding that there was, after all, such a thing as too much controversy. Shortly afterwards, it emerged that, while a more flamboyant singer was not suitable for the morning show, ABC had no problem with a convicted abuser, as it booked Chris Brown for a GMA interview and performance, the New York Post informs.
As one can easily imagine, fans are not happy, as neither are several groups that had already accused the network of discrimination and homophobia, such as GLAAD and The Advocate publication. Where Lambert did nothing wrong – and certainly nothing ilegal – with his performance at the 2009 American Music Awards, the one that made ABC decide to call off plans, Brown’s case is entirely different.
By all means and completely regardless of how much he has apologized or will continue to do so, Chris Brown is a convicted felon, a young man who, in a fit of rage, lashed out at his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, and beat and bit her until she was no longer responsive. He then got out of the car and left her there. By choosing Brown over Lambert, ABC is sending not only mixed messages, but also the wrong one for audiences at home because it shows that, while presenting “unfamiliar” behavior to audiences so early in the morning is far from the definition of cool, allowing an abuser a venue to tell his story is acceptable.
“Brown, who taped his interview with Roberts last weekend, was sentenced in August to six months’ labor and five years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna in February. GMA hopes his appearance could provide a ratings boost, just like Rihanna’s GMA interview earlier this month where she told Diane Sawyer she saw ‘no soul in his eyes’ as he beat her. The top ABC insider added: ‘Chris Brown’s interview was booked way before Adam Lambert took to the stage. It is to give him a chance to respond to Rihanna’s interview. The possibility of him performing a song will be worked out next week’,” the Post further writes of this recent development.
Not that this would matter that much for Lambert himself. As we also reported the other day, ABC’s loss was CBS’ gain, with the latter network asking him to do The Early Show to discuss the AMAs controversy and perform two songs off the “For Your Entertainment” album.