ABC: Lambert’s act draws 1,500 complaints

New York — Complaints poured in Monday about Adam Lambert’s sexually charged performance at the American Music Awards, including criticism of his kiss with a male keyboard player that was left out of rehearsals for the show.

ABC did not expect one of Lambert’s dancers to stick his face in the singer’s crotch during the S&M-themed performance of “For Your Entertainment,” a moment that was cut out when the awards show was broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on the West Coast on Sunday.

“For Your Entertainment” is the first single from Lambert’s new album, which went on sale Monday.

He later told CNN that his kiss was “in the moment” and that if people were upset about it, “That’s a form of discrimination and it’s too bad.”

ABC said more than 1,500 people complained, what it termed a “moderate” response, and the Parents Television Council also said it had heard from upset members.

Police chief guilty in Parker-Broderick case

St. Clairsville, Ohio — An eastern Ohio police chief was convicted of three felonies Monday but was acquitted of burglary charges in an alleged break-in at the home of a woman who carried twin girls for Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.

A jury found suspended Martins Ferry Chief Barry Carpenter guilty of receiving stolen property, theft in office and tampering with evidence. He was acquitted on charges of burglary and unauthorized used of property or services.

Carpenter put his head in his hands after the verdict was read in Belmont County court.

Messages seeking comment were left for Carpenter’s attorney, Dennis McNamara, and for Parker-Broderick spokesman Simon Halls.

Prosecutors alleged that Carpenter broke into Michelle Ross’ home in May, took items related to her pregnancy and the surrogacy, and schemed with the Police Chief Chad Dojack of neighboring Bridgeport to sell the items to celebrity photographers.

Dojack faces trial in January on two counts of complicity to burglary and one count of complicity to receiving stolen property.

Attorney: Gosselin split could be finalized soon

Allentown, Pa. — Jon Gosselin offered his estranged wife a bouquet of red roses at their divorce arbitration hearing over the weekend. She evidently turned them down. Despite the snub, the marathon session went so well that the feuding stars of “Jon & Kate Plus 8” could be divorced by the end of the year, his attorney said Monday.

The reality series that turned the Gosselins into celebrities came to its own resolution Monday night as cable’s TLC aired the finale of “Jon & Kate Plus 8.”

But Kate Gosselin called the series’ end “needless. It’s useless, it’s totally avoidable. … This is a very bittersweet goodbye for me because the kids are already missing it.”

In a separate response, Jon Gosselin told the camera, “Our marriage fell apart, and I felt like I was free. And I kinda took advantage of it for a while and didn’t really think about my actions, obviously, until I started getting paparazzi and written about. But that’s maturing. That’s growing up.”

The show came to a somewhat abrupt close in the wake of squabbling and scandals that not only tainted the show’s previously wholesome atmosphere, but also halted any filming of the children several weeks ago.

During the series’ final hour, the young twins and sextuplets toured a fire station with their dad near the family home in Wernersville, Pa. Then, with Kate, they visited a local dairy farm, for what she emotionally noted was the series’ last shoot.

Sarah Palin’s book tour hits Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg, N.C. — Sarah Palin brought her book-signing tour to North Carolina’s Fort Bragg on Monday as thousands greeted the former Republican vice presidential candidate in a campaign-like gathering that tested military rules involving politicians.

The Department of Defense typically prohibits politicians from using installations as a platform, so Palin didn’t give a speech and simply thanked soldiers individually. She was allowed to hold the event as a private citizen who was not campaigning, a Fort Bragg spokesman said.

Army officials initially feared the book signing might turn political and negative comments would be directed at President Barack Obama, so they barred media from attending. The Army later relented and allowed coverage, and many people who attended voiced their opposition to the commander in chief.

Palin’s tour bus parked nearby, splashed with her photo, encouraged donations to her political action committee, while supporters made clear that she should run for president.

Little Richard has hip surgery in Tennessee

Nashville, Tenn. — Little Richard is asking fans to pray for his speedy recovery after undergoing hip surgery at a Tennessee hospital.

The Rev. Bill Minson, a family friend, says the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had been in some pain leading up to the surgery but continued to maintain a rigorous performing schedule.

Minson says the 76-year-old asked him to tell fans “to get ready to rock ‘n’ roll with him in the new year because he’s coming back strong.”

The Macon, Ga., native now lives in Tennessee. He is recovering at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.