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    The Mystery Of Sanjaya

    Posted by Billy Bush March 21 at 11:39 AM | Comments (12)

  • My piece on the miraculous staying power of "Idol's" Sanjaya Malakar is #1 on AOL's Top 5 this morning. I can't decide if it's funny or horrible that a website, devoted to pushing the next William Hung to the top, may be influencing this race. You hear about this kind of rebel act all the time, but it usually amounts to mostly hot air. That Howard Stern is driving HIS morning armada to follow suit in favor of Sanjaya makes it a little more plausible.

    Stern's audience is fiercely loyal and I can imagine the idea of crowning a terrible singer is very pleasing..

    Last night, Sanjaya showed yet again that he is as amateur a vocalist as there is on earth, but on the upside, he is quite keen: his decision to hug the little girl in tears was very sweet. Compassion and kindness should not win a singing competition but it may rally his true supporters and maybe even some apathetic sideliners.

    Together with Howard Stern and the ghost of William Hung, he may ride perilously close to the end.


    On a true positive note, it became clear to me who Sanjaya's loyal fans are as soon as he hugged that little girl.

    They are little girls who are enamored by his tenderness, and frankly, weakness. There is an age where boys become a little intimidating; where girls are almost the opposition. Sanjaya is totally safe in every way. A meek and totally harmless caterpillar in the jungle. That is endearing to young girls and as the father of three, if I had to choose one of the idol fellas as a "manny", it would be him!

    And if he'd sing a lullaby to put our toddler to sleep....how cool would that be? Ha Ha.

Comments

Billy.. yes, I think your right about Sanjaya ..nice guy..has a little talent.. but idol.. maybe child idol..much much more talent with other on american idol

Posted by: cindie | March 21, 2007 01:10 PM

I feel kind of sorry for this guy. He'll continually be the butt of a joke. He seems so sweet though and I feel bad that it is so much fun to make fun of him LOL

Posted by: Jen | March 21, 2007 06:31 PM

This is a shame. The whole idea of American Idol is to find the best and I am beginning to think they need to to a better screening of votes. Sanjaya is trying to be a new Michael Jackson unfortunately he can't sing.

Posted by: Sheila | March 21, 2007 06:51 PM

With respect. In a democracy, what makes your views or your vote more valuable than mine? We hosted a "vote Sanjaya" party on Tuesday night and logged several thousand votes for Sanjaya. The participants were all Caucasian (for the racists among you) and a mix of gay and straight (for the homophobes.) We did not vote to hurt American Idol, or because we thought Sanjaya was the worst. We voted because we think he is the best.

Our reasons reflect not only his singing, and his performance, which was stellar -- but his gentleness, his lack of prejudice, and his basic decency -- which most of us find lacking in most of his detractors. We voted because we support him, and we think he deserves that support.

So again I ask you, all, very seriously -- what makes your taste and your choices better than ours and more deserving of public support -- and what, other than YOUR taste, makes ours more deserving of public opprobrium?

I mean the question genuinely -- I would like to see answers that are substantive, and not just mud slinging and hatred. If any of you can.

Regards,

Reynolds Jones
believeinyou24@yahoo.com

Posted by: Reynolds C. Jones | March 22, 2007 11:40 AM

OK! All of America KNOWS that the voting process for American Idol is being "manipulated" and "compromised". I mean everyone knows this. Obviously no-one from the show, except probably Simon, will talk about it. I would think that interviewing some-one from Fox TV would be called for. The integrity of the show is "on the line" and unless something drastic is done and very quickly, the future of the show will be jeopardized.
The show Dancing With The Stars limits the amount of votes per phone line and Internet voting to at least get some fashion of control over the voting process to insure (as best they can) that a "runaway vote" does not occur. Is Fox so "stingy" and "naive" that they will not step up and do something to insure the future of the show?????
I would like to think that investigative reporting such as Access would be able to get in to the Executives of the show and "get the scoop" as to what Fox TV intends on doing about this catastrophe.
Thank You

Posted by: Mike | March 22, 2007 12:44 PM

I think that Sanjaya needs to get off the show if he wins then no one will buy his cd so why keep him and he isn't that cute anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!
His sister should have stayed!
SORRY dude but you don't need to be on the show you are voted the worst on americanidol.com that is why he is staying because everyone is voting for him as the worst idol contestant!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Emily Blackmon | March 22, 2007 02:52 PM

Someone needs to give this STUPID TEENBOPPERS who are voting for him a dose of reality. HE CAN NOT SING, HE DESERVES TO BE OFF OF IDOL ALREADY. The real reason he has lasted as long at he has, is he has finally made the top ten. So when the idol go on tour he can to with them, and ALL THE STUPID TEENBOPPERS WILL BE THERE.

Posted by: ANN | March 22, 2007 07:46 PM

I think that sanjaya should get booted off the show cause he can not sing he is a nice kid but his tallent is not good they let a lot of good people go because of him i think his time is up so just stop voting for him please i have watched idol from the beginning and never saw noone as bad as him please let him go now

Posted by: arlisa owens | March 22, 2007 08:19 PM

Something happens like this EVERY season of Idol. Remember the red headed crooner kid? He also outlasted many great singers. America didn't put him in the top 20, the show did. Why put him there in the first place if he isn't a great singer? Add to the drama and entertainment?

Posted by: Paula | March 22, 2007 11:23 PM

that little girl has clearly shown how low idol has gotten! this is now totally ridiculous, i'm done

Posted by: B.C. | March 23, 2007 09:11 AM

I stop watching idol after season 2, we all know who the real winner was that year. I am wondering why this year Simon has not ONE TIME told Latshea that she is fat and needs to lose weight like he repeatly told Jennifer Hudson. By the way she is laughing about how we might have Sanjaya as the winner.

Posted by: ann | March 24, 2007 07:17 PM

Your reporting on the Anna Nichole case is irresponsibl.Taking the side aof a man who hounded a grieving mother and added to her mental distress oveer the man who supported her and gave her sollace. Shame on you!

Posted by: Dawn | March 26, 2007 07:44 PM


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