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Sanjaya's Po Hawk disaster and other fallout!
If it weren't for Sanjaya what would we all have to talk about every week. On Wednesdays its "what was up with his hair?" On Thursdays its "why is he still here?" At least I can answer the hair question for you. As I mentioned in a blog last week, the Idol Hair Guru, Dean Banowetz is in charge of everyone's hairdos but when it comes to Sanjaya he calls the shots, "He requests these. Everything Sanjaya wants, Sanjaya gets - in my mind."
Yes, it was all Sanjaya's idea for the Mohawk too. He actually wanted it for British Invasion Week and Dean had been working on a mock up. He keeps mannequin heads of all the contestants, in his home hair studio, so he can practice hairstyles on them with wigs. When I saw the mannequin head, the hair was being held up by one of those banana clips that were popular in the late '80s. I guess that idea didn't work so they went for the pony hawk instead. My guess is since word got out Sanjaya was planning a mohawk last week they scrapped the idea. Good thinking since the element of surprise is always better.
When I asked Dean his reaction if people hated Sanjaya's crazy hair, he didn't care, "If people are alarmed by the Mohawk or are like 'what are you doing?' I think its great. Who cares if people like it or not. If he is happy that's all that matters. We call it the 50 / 50 rule, 50 percent will love it, 50 percent will hate it, but no one will ever forget it." True.
Apparently, Indian Americans are also upset with Sanjaya. A freelance journalist by the name of Raj P. Desai, who writes for Indian newspapers around the world, sent me an article about this. Here is a snippet of his article:
"After over 1000 interviews with Indian Americans 992 out of 1000, are very upset with Sanjaya Malakar. In fact a few Indian people stated that they are being made fun of in school because of Sanjaya. One gentleman had a milkshake thrown at him and was told, "Is that the best India Has to offer." Others say "why do they keep saying he's Indian," he never claims to be Indian, and he's only half India." Indian based Reporters that I spoke with that were covering this story, will no longer cover this story as they feel they're being made fun of as Sanjaya keeps moving on. Many Indians including many papers say they will not watch American Idol again, as its not a talent competition, its turning into a joke. Why?"
So, far this angle hasn't really been debated in the media yet. So, we shall see if it picks up any steam. Now, even Gwen Stefani wasn't feeling the love for Sanjaya when she remarked last night about his attempt to take on No Doubt's song 'Bathwater' , "I feel for him, I think its going to be really difficult for him, its a hard song, and he chose it. So good luck for him tonight."
Maybe its because they were in a time crunch and the taped pieces were short but didn't it seem as if Gwen was dissing a lot of the contestants in her critiques (more so than other guest mentors.) Stefani had negative comments about Chris Sligh, Sanjaya, Haley Scarnato, Blake Lewis and Chris Richardson. I guess I was expecting her to be more nurturing.
Prediction: This is a tough week to call. I'd love to say that the following lyric in 'Bathwater' , "I know I'm diving into my own destruction", is an ominous predictor for Sanjaya. However, I think he's still got a week or two left in him. If he falls into the bottom three this week at all then I'd say next week his goose is cooked.
I think Haley, Chris and Phil are all in trouble this week but ultimately I'm going to go with a bold prediction and say Lakisha Jones. I think the fact that she went first does not bode well for her. I fear even though she is a great singer, her fan base cannot sustain her in the competition. She's simply too old and not relateable to the ones who do most of the voting, tweens and teens. If you want an adult to vote for you, you have to blow us away. She has not done that the last two weeks. Let's hope I'm wrong.
I agree with the Indian Journalist! Im half Indian and nobody likes him and the Indian people that I know cant stand him,,,I wish him luck doing another job,Its not indian people voting for him
Sanjaya cannot sing!! Who in the world continues to keep him around--It is a SINGING contest.
I never thought this would happen as I am a religious idols fan but I actually support Sanjaya. I don't know why but I think after watching the show for so long I've come to realise that it's not just about the singing and at the end of the day Sanjaya would be able to sing in a recording studio but he doesn't have stage presence... I think there is something about him that just makes me pick up that phone... After he leaves it will be very VERY boring... back to the usual. I hope he stays...
i think sanjaya should not stay in the show!!
They need to get back to what the show is about singing Were all loosing respect for the show to find talent with singing Sanjaya shows this is becoming a joke the boy cant sing Each week he is getting an attitude like he cant be put off the show anymore you cant even geuss who will be next one off better singers have gone and he still stays what a joke
I agree with arune, Sanjaya is very interesting and fun! I also think he has a nice voice and i want him to stay.
I think sanjaya has a hair DO !
I think sanjayas hair is a hair DON'T it's very interesting but no, not on him.
Sanjaya should have been voted of because he needs a big voice not soft.He should have been voted of not Chris.I agree he didn't do that well but he still is better then Sanjaya!
People are setting up websites to vote for Sanjaya and make fun of the show. He's the worst singer ever!!!
My girl is Gina Glocksen.
She's my somewhat cousin
I am so sick of the Teenboppers saying how cute Sanjaya is. They need to get the facts right, THIS IS A SINGING COMPETITION, AND NOT WHO IS THE CUTEST?
i think sanjaya is terrible...some nights you cannot tell if he is a guy or a girl...and he can't sing for crap...he needs to leave...and every person on his personal website that supports him and tries to keep him on needs to open their ears and listen to the other talent singing around him...he is rediculous and terrible and needs to go back and sing with his father in whatever country he sings in
You know, I used to really respect American Idol and the voters, but this is just plain absurd. How in the world does this young man continue to stay around week after week? Sanjaya is not ready for this level of the competition. Maybe Fox needs to change the voting and let the judges choose. Its obvious that this way is not working.
Sanjaya needs to GOOOOOO HOME....I dont know why Howard Stern or anyone else would be plugging this guy as the next American Idol. If he wins, the show has 'jumped the shark' and I for one will never watch it again.
Its about TALENT, and this dude does not have it, I dont care what he's done to his hair!!
I agree with Tami. American Idol is losing many fans because of this. The voting system needs to be changed. Sanjaya needs to go home or else the show won't be around much longer! How many more good and talented people do we have to lose?
Randy, Paula, and Simon should not have put Sanjaya through to California if they thought that he could NOT sing. After all, as they say, they had millions to choose from--why him? They need to stop making a joke of him and most of all stop the embarrasing comments. Also, the panel needs to critique all constestants without embarrassing them on national tv--it's hurtful. The panelist always says that American Idol is a singing competition, then they need to critique the voice, not hair, clothes, and legs! And for this, I am voting for Sanjaya!!!!!!
I think the show is rigged. There is no reason Sanjaya should still be there. It is unfair to the other contestants when the judges do not critique Sanjay's singing performace each week. He gets by with horrible singing for ratings it seems.
sanjaya's still in because of the vote-for-the-worst thing. and let me tell you, it's definitely not the whole indian population keeping him in, cuz like everyone hates him.
but he's kinda charming anyway.
I am so disapointed with show and the votes from teenyboppers for Sanjaya. A lot of better singers got voted off because of this. He is an not a better singer than people that were voted off. He is ugly and acts too feminine and can't sing. he is spoiling it for the rest of the better singers.
I think that sanjaya is the worst singer I have heard its very disappointing when the better singer are being sent home. In my believe I think sanjaya should just vote himself of the show in respect to the much better singers then him it would be the right thing to do.
I have been a faithful fan of Idol for a couple years, but this year is a big joke. The show is NOT about singing, and personal cutdowns by the judges is inescusable. Tell them something that will improve their performance. Randy can only say, "Your a dog", Paula remarks on looks, then says something simplistic, and then Simon has no choice to tell it straight. At least he says something worth listening too. If Sanjaya stays much longer, I will never watch Idol again.