First it was Indian call centers, then a snarky Web site, but now there's a new theory to explain the improbable American Idol sauces of Sanjaya Malakar: Howard Stern.
That's right. The King of All Media has called the hapless Malakar his "favorite" contestant and was encouraging listeners of his Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (NASDAQ:SIRI) show to vote for him. Stern's faux endorsement may have spared Malakar his deserved exit from America's most-watched show. He certainly isn't surviving on talent.
I'm sure that some Idol fans are fretting over the potential for Stern or other outside forces to corrupt the sanctity of the Idol vote. Those people need to get a life.
Don't feel too bad for Malakar. Once he gets voted off the show -- God willing -- he won't be hurting. There are probably agents lining up around the block to represent him. Some record executive will commit a crime against pop music and give him a recording contract making music fans question whether there is a God.
People laugh at one-hit wonders and has-been celebrities. But many of them continue to make a decent living for years after their 15 minutes of fame ended. They do much better than the average working stiff who laughs at them.
Every season there's an awful but likeable singer that hangs in the competition far longer than they deserve. That's what makes American Idol fun for viewers and immensely profitable for News Corp. (NYSE:NWS). Like life, the show isn't fair. The most talented singers don't always progress.
Remember Jennifer Hudson? Taylor Hicks certainly wasn't the greatest singer last season either, but he won because America was looking for the new Michael Bolton.
America votes for its pop king or queen with more enthusiasm than it does the president.
In both cases, we get what we deserve.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3-19-2007 @ 9:28AM
da charleston said...
I like him,i even voted for him before. He sort of reminds me of a young Micheal Jackson.I mean that in a good way,so pure.
3-19-2007 @ 10:55AM
ericsmusclecars said...
He seems like kind of sissy but did sing well in his audition. Im sure he will land on his feet if he gets voted off and maybe he can get his hot sister into the act...kinda like an indian Donnie and Marie !!
www.ericsmusclecars.com
3-19-2007 @ 2:10PM
Anita said...
Why doesn't American Idol restrict the number of votes anyone can cast? The best talent doesn't always win -- its the ones whose supporters can dial the fastest or are hooked into a computer dialing system. I watch for entertainment but I know the winner isn't always the best.
3-19-2007 @ 7:56PM
LAURA said...
SANJAYA SUCKS, HE JUST HAS GOOD HAIR!
3-19-2007 @ 10:15PM
Jason Buckley said...
I know one person who is really pissed off about Howard throwing the Stern Army at voting for Sanjaya, and that's wack packer Eric the Midget. He doesn't want to have to listen to Sanjaya sing when he catches the Idol tour this summer.
3-20-2007 @ 7:43AM
Denny said...
stern sucks he's a rip off artest and a liar.
3-20-2007 @ 10:36AM
mars said...
Stern does good and I don't like when he goes for the singer. For me its a nice thing when Sandaya is going to sing poorly so I watch and if Stern will win if he thinks it is stupid. But thats just one of the opinions.
3-20-2007 @ 3:00PM
eeax said...
Stern does good and I don't like when he goes for the singer. For me its a nice thing when Sandaya is going to sing poorly so I watch and if Stern will win if he thinks it is stupid. But thats just one of the opinions.
3-20-2007 @ 9:38PM
daniel james wheeler said...
i hope this dude wins the whole thing just to make all these life less losers upset.
3-21-2007 @ 7:23AM
netter said...
Now I see how Sanjaya is surviving American Idol... the teenyboppers all love him. He wouldn't be my pick but he could be American's next idol. Who knows??
3-21-2007 @ 11:52AM
Jason said...
Sanjaya makes me uncomfortable when he sings because of his girlly antics one week and then tries to be a tough guy the next. His sexuality is very questionable and I consider fast forwarding my tivo everytime he comes on.
3-21-2007 @ 10:24PM
Rita said...
I would love to keep Sanjaya if somebody would dispose of HOWARD STERN> SCUM!!!!
3-21-2007 @ 11:30PM
Zaphod said...
Does Sanjaya sound like some kind of ghey sexual position?
3-22-2007 @ 4:56AM
Patricia Smith said...
I think it very unfair of Howard Stern to interfere with the voting, using his clout to do so. He is only getting some of the worthy contestants kicked of in order to keep him there. I think this is totally unfair to all the contestants. Some have been kicked off (and they should still be there) while he is really not worthy. It has nothing to do with his age, race, or anything else. He seems to be a nice kid, but this is a talent contest not a popularity contest. It is unfair the him really.
3-22-2007 @ 7:26AM
Nancy said...
Stern:
You have ruined American Idol for the young kids who have real talent. Why don't you suggest to all of your blind fans to drink kool-aid sort of like Jime Jones followers??? Think they would listen to you??? give the kids who really deserve to be there the right vote...do the right thing for a change.
3-22-2007 @ 7:28AM
kim said...
I think Howard Stern is a total creep, and Sanjaya should have never made it to the final 12 ! Like Simon says, Do people have the volume turned down? And Howard Stern has no respect for women or himself, and I have no respect for anyone who listens to him !
3-22-2007 @ 5:24PM
Andrew said...
It is amazing to me that everyone is so upset about Sanjaya making it so far. Why are they not upset that the cutesie white Texan girl Hayley? She SUCKS!! But she probably has all the wacko fundamentalists promiting and voting for her. Sanjaya is not very good, but she has consistently been the worst performer of the competition until this week, yet she has continued to escape the gauntlet after each horrible performance she has given so far in the competition. Is it his effeminate mannerisms, or his ethnicity that are bothering the American public. By the way, he is not Indian? He is American born of half Indian and half Italian ethnicity. He is MIXED! Just like Halle Berry and Tiger Woods are NOT BLACK, but MIXED! Get it straight America. Your racist roots are shining through on this.
3-24-2007 @ 10:07AM
Liane said...
Sanjaya was good enough to make it to the final 24 but not the final 12 and certainly not the final 10. After seeing that one little girl cry so much on the show its more then obvious he's like his own michael jackson with his looks and personality all the little girls think he is soooooo cute. They don't know and don't care that his voice does not shine to be this far into the competition. I heard that Simon told him if he goes all the way that Simon is quiting and not coming back. I wouldn't either if I was any of the judges. Its too bad it really is.
3-24-2007 @ 7:30PM
IAMCK said...
EEEEEEEEE This is Eric the Midget. Howard has shown that American Idol sucks. EEEEEEEEEEEE I wish Simon and Ryan would kiss already!!!!!
3-25-2007 @ 9:53PM
slimwasim said...
Actually sanjaya is good his last performance was the best of the show he even made the young girl cry, that shows his power ...i think sanjaya is a powerful personality and quite good singer and most of love to watch him that is wat we call entertainment, a singer should also be an entertainer he has many mixed qualities he even reminds me of micheal jackson, this boy is really talented and why ppl are against him i wonder, the show will become very boring after sanjaya is kicked out he is center of attention that speaks on behalf of him he is already famous.... and when people start talking bad about u think u are successful....