Entertainment

ABC booted Lambert for guy kiss and not Brown?

When Adam Lambert threw in an unexpected guy/guy kiss during his live performance on ABC’s live broadcast of the American Music Awards in 2009, the punishment was swift and decisive.

Lambert’s scheduled ABC appearances, including a “Good Morning America” concert and a performance on Dick Clark’s annual “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” were canceled the next morning.

That’s why I fully expected R&B singer Chris Brown, likewise, to be banned from ABC — and his performance on next week’s “Dancing With the Stars” to be canceled — after he tossed a chair through the window of his “GMA” dressing room Tuesday morning in a rage over being asked about his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

After all, Brown, according to reports, intimidated and frightened staff, ripped his shirt off and trashed his dressing room.

Color me completely surprised when, the next morning, Roberts all but apologized to Brown on “GMA” — and then invited the guy back to the studio for another interview!

What if a passerby had been hit by falling glass? What if Brown had gone for Roberts on the set rather than wait until he got back to his dressing room to explode?

Any non-celebrity behaving in this way would have had the police called on them. At minimum, they’d have been kicked off the property and banned from ever coming back.

Sure, Brown is great for the network’s ratings. If ABC turns its back on him now, a rival network will swoop in to pick up one of the best news stories of the week. Maybe ABC thought it had no choice.

So, what’s worse: two men kissing on stage during a singing performance or someone violently smashing a plate-glass window over Times Square with people walking underneath?

For all his glamorous trappings, Lambert these days leads a pretty normal life. He works hard and urges his fans to give to charity.

But, at the time of his run-in with ABC, Lambert was new to show business. He wasn’t rich or famous yet.

So next time Lambert gets a hot record, I’m sure ABC will happily invite him back. It’s the least it can do.

— MJ Santilli writes for the authoritative “American Idol” news Web