Adam Lambert – The American Music Awards and 'The Early Show'

Those who have missed out on Lambert's controversial performance are probably wondering what all of the hoopla was about. Choosing the song, “For Your Entertainment,” straight from his first single, he put on a quite an unexpected show: the S&M outfitted men on leashes, making out with his straight keyboardist, the crotch grabbing, the simulated sex act. Everything he did on that stage was shocking. Yet in usual Adam Lambert fashion, he put on a captivating, can't take your eyes off of it for a moment, mind boggling performance.

So did Adam make a spectacle of himself again on “The Early Show?” Thankfully, he did not. He sang more toned down songs and of course, he was questioned about his jaw dropping stage performance. Basically, he feels that although he, “Did get carried away,” he has nothing to apologize for, and that if he was not a gay man, but instead a female artist, less viewers would have gotten furious.

It remains to be seen if his “showmanship” on the American Music Awards will either boost his future music career or kill it before it even gets started. Looking at the numerous statements made by viewers, it has the potential to go either way. Whether his performance built him a pedestal or dug him a grave, one thing is certain. He managed to once again turn one simple song into a singing/dancing/acting display the world will never forget. Perhaps that was intention all along.

iBlack Friday 2009 – Here We Go Again

Today is the Friday after Thanksgiving, and the shopping day known as “Black Friday” is upon us again.  Masses of consumers are getting up extremely early, putting their boots and jackets on, and braving the psychotic crowds to get the best deal.  It literally is the biggest shopping day of the entire year.  Let's take a look back at some of the most shocking Black Friday new stories our country has experienced to date.

2008 – Do you remember the news story about the Wal-Mart in Arkansas?  As the Wal-Mart in Bentonville, Arkansas opened its doors to the throngs of eager shoppers, a poor, defenseless Wal-Mart employee became trampled by all of those crazy people who were fighting tooth and nail to get a good deal.  The poor man was said to have died about an hour later after being taken to the hospital.  The same thing happened at a Wal-Mart in Valley Stream, New York; in this instance several people were also injured, included a pregnant woman.

2006 – This time in West Bend, Wisconsin, at yet another Wal-Mart, an employee had the bright idea of putting a new twist on the game of “musical chairs” to determine which shoppers would walk away with a PS3.  He set up 10 chairs at various points around the store and had people race to them.  Whoever reached them first got a PS3.  In this scramble, people were pushed, trampled, and one person's head was shoved into a pole, causing him to bleed. 

2005 – In Orlando, Florida at the Fashion Square Mall, a fight broke out among shoppers.  Apparently, someone cut in line at a Best Buy, and fists started flying.  No one was arrested in this incident.  However, Florida has another Black Friday 2005 story to tell.  In East Orange County, Florida, shoppers at a local Wal-Mart got into a fight.  In this case there was an arrest made; thankfully. 

It goes without saying that Black Friday can be a dangerous day to shop.  Old ladies getting knocked down, people getting into fist fights, and some people have even died.  Is the death and destruction really worth getting a deal on your holiday shopping?  Of course not.  The really smart shoppers are the ones who decide to stay at home today, and save themselves from potential injury and headache.  But for those who have decided to brave the crowds, good luck.