Some time ago, between the insanity of what has been called the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history and its impact on Asian-Americans in respect to self-identity, media portrayal, cultural responsibility and mental illness, a truly monumental and tragic event took place last Thursday, barely getting any front-page media coverage.
I am referring, of course, to Sanjaya Malikar being voted off American Idol.
Okay, so the first paragraph might have a tad bit of sarcasm, but I’m a pop culture junkie, so hear me out: Sanjaya was the first contestant of Asian decent since Jasmine “OMG Flower In My Hair” Trias to make the Top 12. His singing talent was, uhm, questionable, but the conspiracy theories behind him remaining in the competition were downright absurd, from Howard Stern’s “vote for the worst” campaign to how people in Indian call-centers were voting for him en masse, never mind that phone lines only open for a couple of hours after the show and India is, oh, a million time zones away. If anything, the conspiracy theories probably helped his cause due to America’s tendency to side with the underdog (that, and crying 13 year old girls.)
Hell, according to this ABC News Article, people in India didn’t seem to want him as an American Idol; hell, look at the headline - “Indians Say Good Riddance to Sanjaya.” (Although by the phrase “didn’t want him,” they probably meant “couldn’t give a rat’s ass.” Just a cursory glance at an Indian Idol performance and you immediately understand that people in India couldn’t give a shit if a 17 year old kid sang Besame Mucho or not.)
I wouldn’t feel too bad for Sanjaya, however; he’s been doing the talk show circuit, been spotted at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner and travels with security, paparazzi and an entourage. And considering that the most memorable Asian-American to perform on American Idol has been William Hung up to this point, that’s not such a horrible thing.
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jozjozjoz wrote:
I wasn’t fond of his singing, and I was sick of hearing all the Fanjaya talk, but I am going to miss his pearly whites on the Idol chatter.
I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of him, anyhow.
Posted on 24-Apr-07 at 10:23 pm | Permalink
Akrypti wrote:
I don’t keep up on American Idol. Frankly, (::in a snooty voice::) I much prefer Dancing with the Stars.
I just saw Sanjaya on YouTube! He’s so cute!
Posted on 24-Apr-07 at 11:00 pm | Permalink
Bertie wrote:
After I saw an attorney on the O’Reilly factor bloviating about various causes of action that could be brought against Howard Stern and Vote for the Worst for encouraging people to vote for Sanjaya, I decided to be a Fanjaya. I logged in 20 calls for Sanjaya one night. Suggesting that Fox could sue Howard Stern for telling his fans to vote for Sanjaya was, as Carlos Mendia would say, “DEE DEE DEE!”
Posted on 26-Apr-07 at 6:32 am | Permalink
Bertie wrote:
Oops, “Mencia”
Posted on 26-Apr-07 at 6:32 am | Permalink