Rooting for Sanjaya
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Even if you won’t admit that you watch “American Idol” like 35 million other Americans, you must have still heard of the cult phenomenon who is Sanjaya Malakar. The 17 year old hula dancing, shaggy haired, half Indian, half Italian, effeminate dude who will single-handedly bring down the show if he wins it. A few weeks ago, such an eventuality would have been scoffed at (Simon Cowell famously quipped that he won’t be back if Sanjaya wins Idol this season) but now it’s not looking that unrealistic. He’s the underdog that has become a strong wild horse and not because he’s a fantastic belter of songs… far from it.
Due to the efforts of his many tween fans, Howard Stern, and the web site votefortheworst.com the erstwhile shy teenager has beat all odds to make it to the top 9. On the other side of the coin, this Darwin award potential is on a hunger strike till Sanjaya gets booted off. Of late, he has become emboldened and seems almost carefree while on stage. From causing young girls to bawl uncontrollably (original here; SNL spoof here) to confounding the judges, Sanjaya has brought life to an otherwise boring season. While he is no Frank Sinatra, I don’t think he’s William Hung either. He’s definitely better than your average Karaoke singer. And no matter what Simon Cowell thinks, Idol is not just a singing competition. It’s about the whole package.
I have never voted for a contestant on Idol before but I think this year, I am going to join Stern and the purveyors of votefortheworst.com and start calling in my votes for Sanjaya.
A whole new vocabulary has sprung around Sanjaya now: if you are his fan, you are a fanjaya; if you are his mom, you are momjaya; if you start copying his wacko hairstyles, then you have been sanjaya-ed; and now, if you are a supporter of him on rantlust, you are a rantjaya.
hi, i think the guy can sing. he need more coaching to bring out his shyness in his voice and showmanship. all you complaining jealous idiots, do not know a voice if you could get a million bucks for it, and do not know what to listen for. you need to watch or stop watching. he has a right and a right to have fans. you do not have control to everything, regardless of how the u.s. despicts people of a lesser race or culture. shut up and chill.
I like Sanjaya–I think he is great. I hope he wins!
For the first time, I started watching American Idol from the beginning of the season. I have to say that the votes that this guy is pulling has turned this show on its head. I am not a fan of his and while he’s not an attrocious singer, he is definitely out of his league with the other singing talent in the show. In my opinion, this whole vote prank thing is a joke that’s gone on too long. For the most part, I didn’t really bother too much with the early round losers because their departure was probably warranted. But the Sanjaya voting block is now impacting the remaining real talent pool and that’s when it’s not funny any more. The guy who got voted off this week, Chris Sligh, was in my opinion one of the best voices in the season.
And if you’re not a supporter on rantlust, you are a can’t-jaya
: )
Your humor standards have hit rock bottom, as I see it.
Oh, please. Sligh survived so far not because of his voice (though I admit when he starts singing, it’s something you totally don’t expect) but because of his personality and sense of humor. The only male voice capable of winning this is that of Blake Lewis. (The perennially horny Paula Abdul wants to see him in the finale.) I think that only three people (Melinda, LaKisha, Jordin) are worthy of winning the competition this year. A possible fourth dark horse, if she improves, is Gina Glocksen. The others are forgettable. I am actually hoping that Sanjaya lasts at least until the final four just to prove a point. And who knows, maybe he’ll improve and starts singing songs that will showcase his talent.
I don’t know what you’ve been watching but Sligh did not get this far because of his personality and humor. The guy definitely had confidence and was witty but his real success was due to his singing. He had a great voice. He would not have won the whole thing because of his overweight, slightly dorky look. Although you could argue: Remember Ruben Studdard?
Anyway my main point is that Sanjaya has no business being in the show at this stage of the competition. Howard Stern (and the like) think they’re being funny or cool by encouraging the disruptive voting but it really takes a lot away from the show because you don’t get to see the truly best pool of talented singers competing. It’s definitely giving the program a lot of buzz though. This reminds me of that Michelle Wie being given a free entry into men’s golf tournaments at the expense of a male golfer who deserves to be there more.
That said, this season is probably one of the more poorer competitions. Not a great set of singers over all. No guy is going to win this because the women are way more talented. I think it is going to be come down to Lakisha and Melinda … with Melinda winning. Don’t you find her big, starry-eyed facial expressions annoying when the judges lavish praise on her? It’s like she is surprised to hear that she really is good!
Lakisha, Melinda, Dame Kiri. Rantlust cannot be accused of un-eclectic tastes. Now do tell which singers your prefer and I’ll tell you if you prefer baseball to cricket.
I couldn’t disagree more. Whlie he could definitely carry a tune, saying that he has a great voice is stretching things a bit. And I don’t think Idol winners are chosen by looks alone. The only great looking previous winners are Carrie Underwood and to a lesser degree, Kelly Clarkson. And yes, remember Ruben? Also, neither Melinda or LaKisha will turn heads on a fashion runway.
My prediction is for Jordin Sparks to win this season because I think she has a better complete package. But no matter who wins she, along with Melinda (yes, I do find her “starry-eyed expressions” annoying), LaKisha, and Gina will go on to make albums on their own.
Having witnessed the passionate discussion, I decided to check out American Idol for the first time ever tonight. I concur - Lakisha, Melinda in that order for voices. Sanjaya has the weakest voice, though I was disappointed that he wasn’t worse.
Hmm- I guess this is one way to insult people from a different race/culture. Pretend to defend them and in a very surreptitious way dub their race/culture to be “lesser”. I noticed that while almost everyone else has commented exclusively on his singing - barbara 12n, a purported fan, picked up a really broad brush and dubbed the Indian-Italian (perhaps both Indian and Italian races) as “lesser race or culture”.
Yesterday, dear Sanjaya bid us all a tearful adieu and bowed out of American Idol. I for one will never forgive him - against my will, I was drawn to see Idol for the last three weeks running.
Sanjaya who?
I was wrong about Gina but this year’s competition has proved to be the most predictable otherwise. Though I think the beat boxing of Blake has become tired and it’s time for him to go tonight. Jordin should win Idol this year. In any case, all the remaining four will make records.
This was the easiest to predict though I was wrong about Blake.