Call it the Adam Lambert clause.
ABC and Disney executives are looking at ways to avoid a repeat of the runner-up “American Idol‘s” sexually charged antics during his live Nov. 22 performance at the American Music Awards.
One of the steps under consideration is securing promises from musicians that their live performances won’t veer away from what’s been done in rehearsals. The artists would be held to their promises by contractual obligations.
PHOTOS: LAMBERT’S CONTROVERSIAL AMA SHOW
“We certainly don’t want to suppress artistry at any level, but we also have to be cognizant of who our audience is,” Anne Sweeney, president of Disney/ABC Television Group, said at the Reuters Media Summit.
Lambert caused a stir with the raunchy performance of his single, “For Your Entertainment,” when he surprised audiences — and the network — by simulating oral sex with a male backup dancer, fondling a female dancer and kissing a male musician. None of the moves had been practiced during rehearsals.
Although the head-to-groin move was edited out of the award show’s West Coast airing, it didn’t stop more than 1,500 people from logging complaints with ABC the next day.
As a result, ABC cancelled Lambert’s scheduled “Good Morning America” performance, saying the network wasn’t willing to risk another inappropriate and spontaneous performance since children watch the morning news show. Lambert sang instead on CBS’ “The Early Show.”