After Adam Lambert grinded his crotch in a guy’s face at the American Music Awards last week, Good Morning America canceled his scheduled appearance. They claimed that he was an unpredictable performer, and they were worried what might happen on a live show which airs early in the morning. The “early in the morning” thing, I believe, meaning that little kids and old people are more likely to be awake and watching. Honestly, I understand why they’d feel a little nervous about it. But it turns out GMA certainly isn’t altogether opposed to controversy: they’ve just booked Chris Brown. You know, the girlfriend beater/biter.

GMA’s argument is that they’re airing a pre-taped interview with Brown, and he should have the right to respond to Rihanna’s interview, which was also aired by the network. Fair enough. But they’re also letting him perform, and that’s where the hypocrisy comes into play.

ABC has booked Rihanna-beater Chris Brown for an interview and a performance on “Good Morning America” — right after the network canceled guy-kisser Adam Lambert. Brown will do a taped tell-all with Robin Roberts, followed by a performance of songs from his new album. But TV insiders say the appearance, slated to air the week after next, has outraged feminists and gay activists who wonder why a convicted girlfriend abuser is more palatable to the network than an openly gay man who broke no laws with his raunchy performance on the “American Music Awards.”

An ABC source said, “The network is giving a mixed message — that it doesn’t trust someone who shocked with an unpredictable show and a gay kiss, but then it is happy to go ahead with Chris Brown, who was convicted of felony assault.” ABC News has insisted that Lambert’s sexual orientation did not play a role in its decision to pull the plug on his “GMA” appearance this week.

ABC insiders said they ruled the “American Idol” star’s sexed-up shenanigans on Sunday’s awards show — which included him groping a female dancer, kissing a male musician and shoving a male dancer’s face into his crotch — were inappropriate for morning TV. One said, “He was not canceled over a gay kiss. He showed himself to be unpredictable on live TV.”

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.”

[From the New York Post]

I understand the network giving Chris Brown a platform to respond to Rihanna. What they shouldn’t do is give him a platform to further his career and promote his new album. But clearly right and wrong are not at play at all here. It’s just weighing ratings vs. possible outrage. Adam Lambert is not going to pull in people who wouldn’t normally watch “Good Morning America.” Chris Brown will. Not for his talent but for his crimes. Adam Lambert hasn’t committed any crimes, besides some against good taste. And I’d hazard that most people are only vaguely aware of Lambert, whereas Chris Brown is – unfortunately – much better known. GMA is worried about what Lambert might do live on air. Thus the whole “unpredictable” thing. Chris Brown is obviously not going to be unpredictable in concert. If nothing else, he’s incredibly eager to get his career back, and doing something over the line on stage is highly unlikely.

I’m not defending any of this, I’m just guessing that’s the rationale. And it’s a poor one. To the best of my knowledge, Rihanna hasn’t done any interviews where she’s talked about getting the sh*t beaten out of her, then gone on stage and belted out a few songs. It would be in poor taste, and should be one or the other. I hope “Good Morning America” gets enough criticism sent their way that they don’t let Chris Brown perform live. I absolutely don’t think the guy deserves a second chance, but that’s just my opinion. But I don’t think you can argue that it’s appropriate for him to give a theoretically serious interview, and then jump around singing his latest single later in the show.