Hey, I don't mind admitting it, I watch American Idol. Frankly, I find the show uplifting. What could be better than watching young people reach for their dream — the American Dream. If nothing else you need to admire them for having the courage to go for it. It beats sitting on your butt dreaming about what you want.
And I'll tell ya what. I am a big fan of Sanjaya. That's right. The kid has a voice like Stevie Wonder. We can only hope that he shows it this week.
The thing that interests me the most is the fact that every single person I know hates the kid and doesn't believe he deserves to be in the top twelve. Well guess what? Most of them have been paying off their weekly bets to me as the kid moves on.
Do I think he will make it much further? No, I don't. On the other hand, it won't surprise me in the least if he goes another couple of weeks. One thing for sure, he is going to need to knock the cover off the ball if he intends to move on this week. Can he deliver the big big performance when he needs it? Well, I for one am rooting for him.
I was sorry to see Sundance go. He is really terrific. But, sometimes they just don't seem to learn you gotta sing something popular. A tremendous rendition of a song none of us ever heard of insures one thing — back you go to your day job. Right Constantino?
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Glen Boyd
Sanjaya definitely has the look. A unique look to be sure --kinda like Micheal Jackson meets Jessica Alba--but he does have the look. Now as to whether he can actually sing? Well he aint no Sundance Head, thats for sure. Besides, there was just something so perversely great about the idea of an American Idol named "Sundance Head" doncha think? Too bad we wont be seeing it.
-Glen
2 - Glen Boyd
Oh and one more thing Robert. This story has just been submitted for BC News Promotions to Digg, Netscape, and Reddit. Now go vote.
3 - Kaonashi
Robert- I don't know if Ken's told you, but you'll need to significantly cut down your bio to one small paragraph.
4 - Bob DeMarco
I am surprised that more people did not note the fact that after the first week of voting Sanjay came in fourth among the men.
5 - Amy
I don't want to attack, but this is just my opinion. Sanjaya has a very soft voice. There is really no power in his voice, unlike other contestants, Chris Sligh and Blake Lewis (I'm not saying that they have great power, but atleast they don't sound like they're whispering the whole song) So that's just my opinion. I really hope someone with real power like Melinda or Lakisha wins.
6 - Dawn
Your post was totally cool, Sanjaya - not so much. He is not American Idol material. Most of them aren't. The two best voices Lakisha and Melinda need to start showing more charisma, but I have my money on them. Sanjaya just really boring. His voice is fine, but really one dimensional.
7 - Alisha Prathash
Robert- i think you are absoloutely right. Sanjaya has a wonderful voice and i believe the people who dont like him are somewhat racist. Thank you for your wonderful support to him..we need it! I am very grateful
8 - Tom
Sanjaya Malakar is not marketable, at "most" he's another Elliot Yamin, except Elliot could sing... oh and Elliot knew pain and had a personality..
When I first saw Sanjaya's audition, I thought "what a nice kid, and he has a voice!"
but now... what the hell? I mean WHAT THE HELL! lol, he sucks.. he's horrible, he's shy, everyone i know who watches american idol doesn't understand how anyone could vote for such a girly-boy who.. has no charisma.. has no performing skills, and whispers through his songs..
I've come to the conclusion that the majority of his fan base is either.. Indians living in small caves who are ATTACKING!! the pop culture by advancing Sanjaya through the american idol competition by hacking the phone lines..
or...
There are many girls who look at him as a harmless, nice, teen age guy who they'd love to go on a date with, play kissy-kissy with, etc etc..
You wouldn't really buy a sanjaya malakar cd based off his past 3 performances.. would you?
Apparently a few of you would, I mean you keep advancing him...
9 - Kaonashi
Alisha- Are you kidding me? I don't like Sanjaya because he isn't a very good singer. I could care less what his race is. And no, I'm not white or black so I'm not just rooting for one of "my people" to win.
10 - Kaonashi
There are many girls who look at him as a harmless, nice, teen age guy who they'd love to go on a date with, play kissy-kissy with, etc etc..
The sad thing is that these teenage girls don't realize that he's as gay as a Liza Minelli concert.
11 - Sikacowmuahow
Sanjaya Malakar is by far the best contestant in American Idol ever!
Me and my Indian brothers vote about 2500 times each every voting night.
Sure we live in caves, and are extremely descriminitive towards the white man, we still put all our money towards their competition.
Becuase one day our race will rise agian, our plan is to destroy pop culture by having our #1 man steal the hearts of the white girl, and show pop culture for what it really is. Fake. (which is also the majority of history we learn in grade school, ei. paul rivere "the british are coming!")
So yes, my name is Sikacowmuahow and Sanjaya will win, with my 2500 votes, my brother's 2500 votes, and with our cave-dwelling civilization averaging 20 votes a citizen, We will win and the glory will reign down upon us, The Indians- The race of Sanjaya
12 - Kaonashi
That's very funny Sikacowmuahow! I needed a good laugh.
13 - anne
lol, i love Sanjaya too! and i'm not sure why but I do?
14 - Jewels
How nice I'm not alone in the fact that I see something in this boy. The fact too that he continues on in the face of adversity floats my boat. The faces of the judges every week - how they look at him, priceless and entertaining.
Granted he's not a "belter" lord knows we're seeing enough of that; he's different and I'd love nothing more than to see him come out next week and knock the hide off that ball! The looks on the panel's faces would make my Idol season. Too, Cowell saying he'd quit should Sanjaya win, well that's just .... amazing. Something about this kid seems to have the American Idol audience up in arms. So much ado about the kid, such fuss with folks hating him or backing him, not much in the middle. Controversy theories about the phone lines being tampered and it - his staying in the running being just a racial issue - wild and ridiculous. What happened to the initial premise of this show? Few may remember. I was glad to see him go top 12, I hope he continues. Young Sanjaya, he has 'something'.
I was listening to some Donavan on a road trip this past week. He was not a 'belter' not a powerful singer, nor was Michael Franks but each had fans and success. Sanjaya fits more in that type of niche. Folks today seem to think Idol has to be all about the BIG voices. I don't.
Motown I believe is the theme this week; I'd like to hear him do "Ben". (It was approved, and would fit him well.)
15 - kelly
just to inform all those brothers and sisters who are making negative comments about sanjaya,he is just another kid with will power to be a star ..nothing is wrong with attempting to make your dream come true..in life it is better to try and fail than not to try at all... if you should cut your skin and and sanjaya's skin the same blood will flow.so those racists out there be careful*** you do not have the gut to reach for heights ....god will turn all of you to snake**
16 - Kaonashi
Good grief, it's really stupid and immature to assume that people who don't like Sanjaya are racists. Grow up.
17 - Indonesia
GO SANJAYA !!! I really enjoy your singing...singing with too much power is just damn boring.
18 - mary lynn
I think that Sanjaya can sing - he needs to get over his stage fright and really belt out a song and show his talent. He's so shy and quiet on stage. He needs a coach that can help him, remember the movie "Sister Act" ha that's what he needs.....confidence. He has a voice ------come on Sanjaya ----lets hear it!!
19 - GS
What's this "singing with power" bullshit?
Singing with power equates with screaming. For some reason us folks over here in the US seem to love chimps like the one in the White Haause.
Sanjaya you don't rock - you sing. And that is what its all about. Don't let the racist jobless bastards in this country get ya down.
20 - KK
Ok, I personally love Sanjaya Malakar. I think his look is unique (cute too) and he can sing really well. I think alot of people just dont like him because of his race... Well thats their biased opinion... learn to look past race people
21 - Kaonashi
No, singing with power does not equal to screaming. There's a difference. Does an opera singer like Pavarotti scream when he sings? Of course not. But is he a powerful singer? Hell, yes.
The trick is that they have to control their voices, which is why Melinda is a professional, while Gina and Stephanie (and sometimes Jordin) are often warned not to scream their lyrics.
22 - Kaonashi
And for the last time, IT IS NOT ABOUT RACE. Are you people deaf? I don't care if Sanjaya is purple with polka dots. I don't care if he was born on Mars. I don't care if he was the same race as me. I still think he's a poor singer.
23 - alessandro Nicolo
How incredibly unfortunate that people refer to this as a race issue. What a BUNCH OF GARBAGE. Not to mention insulting. Yeah, he's going for it and he deserves it (he's only 17) since people are voting to keep him on but can we ever critique someone without some babbling about race and turning us into snakes? With some lessons Sanjaya can eventually be a decent singer but for now he is out of pitch and has some decent tone - BUT HE IS NOT AMERICAN IDOL material. Personally, the judges should never have sent him through. They completely missed this one. Is Randy Jackson a racist since he is not a fan? Look, the guy is nowhere near any of the other singers. END OF STORY. What are you all tone deaf? Robert; how 'bout a playful bet? The bet is that once Sanjaya is sent packing (as he should be) I bet you that we will never hear of him again like Kevin Covais or John Stevens. William Hung will have lasting power. Great post by the way.
24 - Jewels
Sanjaya Malakar, "The Little Engine That Could" makes it one more week, Robert. Now he's got Howard Stern siding with VFTW, perhaps that will help him stay around a while longer. Folks still want to think that this is all talent show, this season is proving even more solidly that it is not.
Regarding commentary above #23, that the judges completely missed 'this one' by letting the boy through, check out the rest of the pack, man, not too much this year to really cheer about. Sanjaya at least represents what Idol once was promoted to be, a show about a relative unknown, non-pro seeking to make their dream in music a reality. He embodies the innocence of the first season.
To Sanjaya, "think you can, think you can" - worked for Oprah.
;)
25 - Robert T DeMarco
Jewels...
That was a good comment.
So far, it appears to me in five years people will remember two things about this year's contest: Sanjaya and Antonella.
The big question? Will they remember the winner?
BD