I've never actually watched American Idol, aside from catching random glimpses from my housemate's TV. But it's tough to dodge ALL aspects of pop culture, even if you're trying really really hard, so the recent furor over Sanjaya Malakar has eventually reached my cynical indie rocker ears. And out of morbid curiosity, I loaded up Youtube and looked up some of his appearances on the show.
And... well...
He's not really that bad. Not at all. His voice isn't anything to write home about, sure, but it has a classic rock timbre, and he stays on key. He won't be beating Mariah Carey in vocal improvisation contests anytime soon, but he's not at all unpleasant to listen to.
So why all the hate?
Posted by Tara (Member # 10030) on :
I think most people are just suprised he's still on the show.
I remember on one show, they were going to annouce the bottom two, and it was Sundance v. Sanjaya and Sabrina v. Haley. I was absolutely positive that Sanjaya and Haley were going home. But no, it was Sundance and Sabrina. So now every time I see Sanjaya on the show, I wince a little bit.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
He's 17. People need to give him a break. He's not nearly as bad as Kevin Covais from last year (look that one up on youtube).
Edit: sorry I can't form cohesive sentences today.
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
So, who are people actually rooting for this year? Does anyone stand out?
Posted by Tara (Member # 10030) on :
Blake and Melinda, and maybe Lakisha too.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Not Blake. Melinda mostly. None of the guys impress me that much. I liked Gina, but she's gone.
Lakisha can sing but she doesn't seem to have star power.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
They do that every year. Every year on Idle American there's always some teenage boy that fifty million girls coo over and vote for in droves. Last year it was that Chicken Little guy, the year before that, a red haird crooner folks kept grumbling about. Now it's Sanjaya, who looks a bit like Shinya of Dir en grey because he's my age and looks 17, but then again, some girl thought I was in MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!
Posted by Shmuel (Member # 7586) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tarrsk: He's not really that bad. Not at all. His voice isn't anything to write home about, sure, but it has a classic rock timbre, and he stays on key. He won't be beating Mariah Carey in vocal improvisation contests anytime soon, but he's not at all unpleasant to listen to.
So why all the hate?
Because you're missing the context. He's not really that bad, but from a vocal standpoint he's not in the same league as the other contestants, excepting fellow hottie Haley. Some people get annoyed that he's beating out people who can outsing him, whether or not they're aware that this happens every year.
That said, Sanjaya goes beyond his predecessors John Stevens, Josh Gracin, Nikki McKibbin et al. in two ways: (1) It's often noted that simply being an excellent singer isn't enough to become a star; there's also a need for the "X-factor." Sanjaya is very, very strong in the X-factor. (2) Unlike those who came before, he appears to know that that's where his appeal lies, and appears to be actively embracing it, rather than making much attempt to get his singing up to par. (In fact, his singing in recent weeks has been notably worse than it was earlier on.) I can see how some could find that infuriating.
Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing him go, but I don't hate him.
And I'm rooting for Jordin.
Posted by Verloren (Member # 9771) on :
It seems to me that there is so much hate because some people have actually deluded themselves into thinking that this is actually a singing competition instead of a reality show (I have deluded myself every once in awhile, but the Sanjaya's of the competition actually bring me back to reality - pun intended )
There's an interesting website out there that actually wants people to vote for Sanjaya because he keeps the show entertaining. When he's gone, they don't think it will be nearly as fun to watch. www.votefortheworst.com
However, I will also say that I think he has a nice voice - not great, but nice - especially when he sings songs in his range and style.
Happy Monday!
-V
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
I hate to say that Sanjaya has grown on me to the point that I have considered voting for him. Having gotten past the disgust of having him survive rounds when he should have definitely gone home, I'm now to the point of fascination for what in the world he's going to do next. I think the faux-mohawk did that. And he can actually sing...it's just that he's clearly not in the same league as most of the others now. Which is what makes him so much fun now...he's embracing what is working for him, even though it's not his singing. He's like a non-tone-deaf William Hung.
I'm rooting for Blake and hoping it will be him and Melinda in the finale. I don't hold any illusions that he'll win. Melinda will sail through to being this year's idol. My top five are Melinda, Blake, Jordin, LaKisha and Sanjaya, in that order.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I too amd rooting for Jordin. I think she's adorable and so talented!!!
I don't have as much Sanjaya hatred as my sister does. I really liked him as a cute teenager. I admire his guts. In a season of American Idol where critics are crying "THIS IS BORING!" Sanjaya is anything but. That is why I think he's still around...and that is also why there's hatred. He's still around because he's memorable, no matter what Simon says about him being 'not memorable.'
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Personally, I think they should just stop the show right now and give the victory to Melinda, because she is so far above anyone in ability.
However, I doubt she will win, and there is a good chance she will not make it to the finale.
I also like Jordin.
Blake is unliked by me.
Sanjaya is playing along, now. At first, I thought he was really uncomfrotable, and feeling bad that he made it when others obviously more talented were voted off. Now, he has said, "What the heck?" He is having a good time, and making fun of the people making fun of him. There may be a tenny-bop thing, but there is also a bunch of people who think it is funny to keep him on, so they can laugh at him.
In general, though, I am bored to tears this year. It is the most uninterestting group I have seen so far.
Posted by DaisyMae (Member # 9722) on :
I was a big Sanjaya fan in the beginning. I thought his voice was sweet and clear and he had such a cute smile. However, he has proved over and over how limited his capabilities are and I find HIS performances the very most boring. As for IT factor, forget it. His years show when he performs. He looks uncomfortable on stage. He has no idea where his strengths lie and just tries to pull off some gimmick every week, usually with his clothing and hair styles. Having auditioned for American Idol twice, I get irritated that someone of his ability can make it so far.
That said, Melinda is far and away the best singer. I really like Lakisha too. She's got spunk. But Blake is absolutely the most commercial and for that reason I hope he wins. He will go far. And Melinda's got an album in the bag no matter what happens from here. Jordin is amazingly talented, but too bubble gum for me. I wouldn't buy an album of hers.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I really like Jordin but I always forget she exists until I see her perform again.
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
They were probably searching for the reason he hasn't been voted off... Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
My vote is for Melinda, Jordin, Blake and Phil in that order. Lakisha has a nice voice but doesn't have that star power. Sanjaya - well he reminds me of Michael Jackson. Could go either way Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Blake stole the show tonight, I must say, Though I do not care for him much, I am thinking he will be voted the winner this year.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
quote:There's an interesting website out there that actually wants people to vote for Sanjaya because he keeps the show entertaining. When he's gone, they don't think it will be nearly as fun to watch. www.votefortheworst.com
The mail they get is downright bizarre, if not a little scary.
quote:I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.
-
You people are no better than the terrorist that killed thousands of inocent lives.
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THIS IS TO INFORME YOU THAT I AM A CERTAFIED LAWYER AND PLAN TO SUE ALL YOU'RE STUPID POEPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
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What's next? Are you going steal from terminally ill children?
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YOU GUYS ARE DOING THIS IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO LIFE AND NO FRIENDS AT ALL!!! I WILL MAKE SHER THAT THERE IS A LAWSUIT.
It makes my brain hurt. This can't all be real.
--j_k
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
What, you don't think a moderately untalented singer winning a popularity contest is exactly equivalent to the fall of the World Trade Center towers? That's downright un-American Idol! Posted by Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Member # 7476) on :
Spoilers for anyone on the west coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .
Finally He's gone. The smile on Simon's face was priceless.
Posted by gsim1337 (Member # 10168) on :
I've personally been Anti-Sanjaya so when I heard that he got voted off I started humming "Ding-dong, the witch is dead".
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