Posted Thursday, April 26, 2007; 11:18 p.m.
Everybody loves Sanjaya! Even Howard Stern
American Idol has had its share of corky figures, but not like Sanjaya. Declared less than impressive in his singing skills by Simon Cowell, Sanjaya Malakar is, indeed, America' s new adored sensation.
By Angela Rodgers
The L.A. Pilot
LOS ANGELES -- He might have belted out the words "Ain't no mountain high enough/Ain't no valley low enough," but frankly there just ain't no reason good enough to keep Sanjaya Malakar on "American Idol." So why is this 17-year-old still standing?
Worse still, the other question that terrorizes American Idol viewers: What if Sanjaya wins?
In the short run, his presence makes for spirited debate, but if Sanjaya Malakar, 17, is standing in the winner's circle, "it would destroy credibility the show's built up in the past five seasons," music consultant Tom Vickers says. "Instead of 30 million viewers a week, it might draw 20 million."
SANJAYA'S HAIR REVOLUTION
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The toothy teen with the talked-about hair and minimal voice has sailed into the coveted top 10, ensuring a spot on this summer's Idol tour. If he skates through once more on Tuesday, the fuss over his confounding staying power is bound to intensify. |
| In the short run, his presence makes for spirited debate, but if Sanjaya Malakar, 17, is standing in the winner's circle, "it would destroy credibility the show's built up in the past five seasons," music consultant Tom Vickers says. "Instead of 30 million viewers a week, it might draw 20 million." |
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A Sanjaya victory "will ruin the show," says fan Catherine Schloss of Studio City. "If he wins, I really don't think American Idol will be back."
Says Bryce Smart of Westwood, "The franchise would be cheapened greatly, perhaps beyond repair." He says Idol's integrity would be shattered if Sanjaya wins or even outlasts a superior talent such as LaKisha.
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Radio host Howard Stern and votefortheworst.com have rallied Sanjaya support, but they "have very little influence when you're talking about 30 million votes," says Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. "People with talent have always won it. We've lost really good people a little too early, and sometimes the Sanjayas, Chicken Littles and John Stevens have lasted a little longer perhaps." |
| Radio host Howard Stern and votefortheworst.com have rallied Sanjaya support, but they "have very little influence when you're talking about 30 million votes," says Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. |
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"People with talent have always won it. We've lost really good people a little too early, and sometimes the Sanjayas, Chicken Littles and John Stevens have lasted a little longer perhaps."
An upset isn't unprecedented. The Eurovision song contest that launched ABBA globally in 1974 shocked many when voters gave the 2006 prize to Finnish horror metal group Lordi.
In addition to prank voters, Sanjaya draws tweens (such as last week's tearful fan Ashley Ferl). "Who's swooning? That little chick and millions just like her," says Idol blogger Cole Bronn (coledishesonidol.blogspot.com). "Sanjaya won a million votes with his sobbing when his sister got axed. What girl doesn't want that sweet guy to keep going? He'll never stomp your heart, will hang with you at the mall and hula-hoop with you into the sunset. He's got McDreamy hair. Oh, by the way, he sings OK."
OK enough to record a marketable album? Possibly, says USA TODAY's Idol coach Don Waller, suggesting the enlistment of Swedish pop maestro Max Martin, who propelled 'N Sync and Britney Spears.
"I see Sanjaya as a Leif Garrett or Shaun Cassidy. He can talk-sing light ballads and uptempo kid-friendly pop. Since looks are a big part of the sales job, they've got to take pages out of bubblegum. He has to do wistful puppy love stuff, no double entendres. Crotch-grabbing is a disconnect.
"I'm sure (BMG chief) Clive Davis can throw an army of producers at the kid. The guy can't sing? What's new? This archetype keeps coming back."
Photos Courtesy of L.A. Pilot |
