Adam Lambert says the firestorm following his sexually-charged performance on Sunday's American Music Awards show took him aback.

He told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez Wednesday he had "no clue. No clue at all," his appearance would prove as controversial as it has. "I was really looking forward to it. I worked really hard with my dancers and my band for about two weeks putting that together. And, I admit I did get carried away, but I don't see anything wrong with it. I do see how people got offended, and that was not my intention. My intention was just to interpret the lyrics of my song and have a good time up there."

His performance on the AMAs of "For Your Entertainment" was an elaborate and had an S&M theme. He fondled a dancer, led another around on a leash, kissed a man, and had a dancer briefly stick his head in Lambert's crotch.

After it aired unedited on the East Coast, right-wing groups such as the Liberty Consul filed formal complaints with the Federal Communications Commission, demanding ABC be held responsible for airing the overtly sexual performance during primetime.

Lambert told Rodriguez he didn't plan to be so provocative, saying, "Those kind of came from more of an impromptu place. No, those were not rehearsed. So I think ABC was taken a little by surprise. That wasn't my intention. I wasn't being sneaky. It got the most of me, I guess."

He also said he's "not a babysitter, I'm a performer" when asked if he wanted to apologize to parents of any kids who might have been watching.

He added he thinks the reaction stems from a double-standard against gay males, asserting that, "If it had been a female pop performer ... I don't think there'd be nearly as much of an outrage at all."

Rodriguez asked, "Do you think it's because you're a male or do you think it's because you're gay?" "Both, I think it's a double-whammy. I think it's because I'm a gay male and I think people haven't seen that before." Adam responded.