American Idol, is getting hit with more debate than ever before regarding whether this show is truly a singing competition or as Peter Noone, mentor and guest this past week, pointed out, a voting competition. This year the main focus of and reason for this debate falls on the slender shoulders of young Sanjaya Malakar. Love him or hate him, there are not many Idol fans who are falling into a middle ground concerning this kid.
A writer who goes by the handle, 'TheScribe' wrote about Sanjaya and why he thinks Malakar remains in the Idol competition in an article posted on TV Grapevine, Reality News.
- "That brings me to the next factor, he has the "YO Factor" whether we like it or not, he has naturally what so few of the other contestants have, a natural stage presence. If you knew nothing of Sanjaya and were seeing him on stage for the very first time, you would be thinking to yourself that you were going to be seeing a wonderful performance.
Sanjaya also brings to American Idol a serious amount of potential. He is like a bomb that is ready to explode, however we are not sure if it is a dud or a big bang. Wouldn't it totally shock us if he came further and further out of his shell week after week, and ended up in the final 4 making it a shoot out between Jordin Sparks, Melinda Dolittle and himself? Only time will tell.
That sums it up relatively simply, and something I'm seeing in Sanjaya Malakar - star power. That shimmering, sparkling quality, elusive and rare. Sure, he may not be the best singer in the competition technically speaking, but he has that 'something' that grabs your attention and holds it.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Star power? You are joking, right? This kid is horrible. He is William Hung with changing hairstyles. He is being fueled by fans of Howard Stern and VoteForTheWorst.com to sabotage the show and upset Simon. He has no potential to be a star.
2 - Jewels
Granted this kid isn't the best vocalist on this show, I'm not completely delusional. But really, what is the premise behind American Idol? Achieving a dream. For the contestants, on this reality show, their dream is to have a career in music, to be famous. Having the courage to strive to achieve this goal while being watched and picked apart by millions of people for entertainment purposes, that's Big courage.
Malakar is showing more brass and balls than almost anyone else I've seen on this reality show, that is one of the reasons I cheer for him. Each to their own El Bicho, darling. Obviously I think he's got something. You disagree and that's OK with me.
Vote for the Worst and Howard aren't in this equation to just try and upset Simon. In fact from what I understand, Simon's visited with Stern a few times on his show. Howard - although he'd deny it, has a soft spot for the underdog. He also dislikes bullshit and rallies against it. He's seen enough of it in his career and life.
As for Vote, what can I say, Dave just likes to toss the apple carts over to see what happens. It's how he rolls.
3 - a
Sanjaya sparkles. His following is growing with each scathing attack.
4 - Loved that video
Wow he was really good singing in that video. Iwish he was as good as his audition, but this week he did pretty good.
5 - Jewels
He shows real soul and he's only about 14 or 15 in this video. Singing in church, it's interesting how many singers emerge that once loved to sing in church.
6 - Grandpa Idol
Jewels, please give the discussions of Sanjaya a rest. Let's just keep our fingers crossed this week that he departs soon so we can end these debates about cuddly he is once and for all. Unfortunately as El Bicho reminded us of, the forces of evil are working against what is right.
7 - Jewels
Grandpa, I thought you were hunkering in for a 'suicide watch'. You're so dramatic.
I hope my boy comes out this week and does Great. I want to see him around a long while, and bah hum bug to the 'forces of evil'. That said, Dave and Howard are mostly all bark and not much real bite - but if they want to help my boy, let them.
Sanjaya is ranking top search on Yahoo and Google and the betting sites are scoring the boy pretty well, perhaps you might want to set your wager on this kid to go the distance?
Can't wait until Tuesday.
8 - Grandpa Idol
Did you see the Sanjaya spoof on SNL's Weekend Update last night? It was funny but a little scary since they did the same thing on Taylor last year and he won.
9 - Jewels
Saturday Night spoofed Sanjaya? We watched Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers" instead. Searching for the video. Check who NBC is calling the "Comeback Kid".
10 - Jewels
Live from New York! It's Saturday Night! Here's the video link.
11 - Misite Campbell
Sanjaya is not the best. Stephanie shouldn't have left he should have. There are aolt of better singers in the competition.
12 - Jewels
Darlin' there have been better so far, but I think he's going to come into his own. Imagine being 17 and on Idol. Let's see what my boy does this week. I can hardly wait.
13 - Grandpa Idol
17!!!! Grandpa Idol is still not over marginally talented Fantasia beating out 16 year old Diana DeGarmo two years ago. That was a major travesty cause that girl could really sing.
14 - Jewels
Fantasia had that one really good song, "Summertime". Soon as she did that song I knew she'd win. Problem with Fantasia, she's never sounded that good since.
I thought DeGarmo was 17 at that time. I voted for her because, yes, Diane could really sing.
15 - Grandpa Idol
According to the official site she was 16 at the time but who's counting and I totally agree that Fantasia was carried into stardom by that one song. I'll be interested in hearing about how successful she is in the "Color Purple" Broadway gig. Of course Diana made it to Broadway before Fantasia playing the role of Penny Pingleton in Hairspray.
16 - Jewels
Great link and write up on Diana. Perfect for Broadway with her big voice. She exuded such positive and energetic vibes on Idol, she was fun to watch.
Fantasia had her movie, "Life is not a Fairy Tale",which I haven't seen yet. Sounds like an inspiring story, here's one review about the movie.
I'd like to see it, I'm a sucker for stories concerning real people overcoming adversity and life turning out well for them. Reality about those who come from backgrounds of early pregnancy and child abuse, things normally do not work out well for them. I wish the best for her in the Broadway feature.
17 - Grandpa Idol
It's amazing, in post #12 thru #16 Sanjaya was not mentioned once. That's the power of diversion!!
18 - Jewels
Diversion in conversation, but he's still on my mind. Tomorrow night "someone" told me he was perhaps doing a Red Hot Chili Pepper song, version of "Higher Ground". I'm interested to see how the informant works out and how my boy does this song.
Hope he wears his hair like last week. ;)
19 - Jewels
Gambling 911 varying between Phil Stacey and Sanjaya going home this week. Let's say buh bye to Phil.
20 - Jewels
Nigel Lithgoe says he's been Sanjaya-ed after last week's performance. "Uncle Nigel" as many Idol fans refer to him says Sanjaya coming into his own, displaying 'no guts no glory' with working the audience effectively. He was impressed, and of course, very happy SNL parodied Sanjaya. The boy helping boost the ratings, always a good thing in the mind of this show's producers.
21 - Jewels
New Spoiler update, from someone claiming to be with the show...
Blake Lewis - Love Song (The Cure)
Gina Glocksen - Just Like A Pill (Pink)
Chris Richardson - Against All Odds (Phil Collins)
Haley Scarnato - Dark Horses (Amanda Marshall)
Jordin Sparks - Don't Speak (No Doubt)
Lakisha Jones - Saving All My Love For You (Whitney Houston
Phil Stacy - Love Will Save The Day (David Usher)
Sanjaya Malakar - Push (Matchbox 20)
Melinda Doolittle - Cant Take My Eyes Off You (Lauren Hill)
Chris Sligh - Iris (Goo Goo Dolls)
I've seen so many spoilers this week by folks claiming they're with the show, hopefully one of them will pan out eventually and be legit.
22 - Sal
Diana might have made it to broadway first, but Fantasia has the leading role first and is the first to make 2 million dollars on name alone. Tell me, was diana ever promoted as the STAR of Hairspray? Of course not! When diana can do that, then brag about her broadway career. Oh, yeah and she still has a record deal, unlike diana who quit her record label (perhaps her mother made her quit).
BTW, fantasia has had way more the one great performance.
23 - Jewels
My boy is going for the Gold!!!
24 - Jewels
Oh yeah, tonight - Sanjaya was The Best.