Again, just kidding. Morrissey would have said "This is bullshit," left the stage, and then bad-mouthed AI to any camera that would listen. But AI doesn't like it when one of its "stars" thinks it's bigger than AI, so it would never allow that to happen.

Anyway, some people did think that performance was pretty edgy and dangerous. Here's one commenter on the LA Times blog:

I watched tonight's show and specifically wanted to see Adam Lambert perform. My 13 year old loves him and thinks he is an amazing performer. She went to bed early and asked me to tape it for her. I did tape it, however I will not let my daughter watch this type of trash. I know he wants to break out and show the world his dangerous side, but why alienate and entire population of kids to do it? His trashy display was worthy of the almost silent "golf clap" he received from a very uncomfortable looking audience. I would imagine this will hinder sales of his album. I certainly will not let my daughter download his video, nor will I allow her to see him in concert until he cleans up his act. Trash...

Why alienate kids to "show his dangerous side"? Um, maybe because being dangerous, by definition, pisses some people off?

But it's just another example of how the "pro-family" movement has gone too far when it comes to claiming all space, art, culture, and discourse as its own and requiring that everything be made "family-friendly." But now they expect the concept of "danger" itself to be made appropriate for the parents of 13-year-olds?

Come on, conservative moms and dads. Keep your paws off the idea of danger. Not everything can be made into a Happy Meal.

Anyway, as Salon pointed out, his performance isn't much worse than some that have been shown in music award shows, like Britney Spears's "I'm a Slave for You" performance at the 2001 VMA. And at least Adam's message was fairly neutral; Britney saying she was a "slave" for someone wasn't exactly a message that teaches girls they can be independent. (If only I was sure she meant it in the S/M way, and not how I think she meant it....)

Adam's response:

"If it's gonna be edited, then in a way that's discrimination. I don't mean to get political, but Madonna, Britney and Christina weren't edited," Lambert said. "It's a shame. Female entertainers have been risqué for years. Honestly, there's a huge double standard."

Lambert said his goal wasn't to upset anyone with his performance: "I'm just trying to have a good time onstage. It's a sexy song. It's 2009, it's time to take more risks. It's about entertainment. People want to be surprised. It's too bad that people are so scared."

"There's a huge double standard"? You're killin' me, Adam, you're killin' me. I think what the rock star in you was looking for: "Fuck the clowns who didn't like my song. Fuck them right in the ass."