(AP)
60 years after Mohandas Gandhi's civil disobedience movement led to the end of British rule in India, the gentle Sanjaya is just as peacefully (if less than tunefully) bringing Viceroy Simon to heel.
American Idol is an institution built on an ideal: the most talented singer wins. In the end, all it has is its credibility. That's been crippled now, perhaps beyond all repair. And once the tipping point is reached (one week from now? Two?), HMS Idol will sink fast.
I've written extensively about the stunning parallels between Gandhi and Sanjaya. (Of course their hair is a contrast, though Sanjaya has at least one more week to debut a chrome dome. This I would not advise. Sanjaya's eyes are too closely set to pull off a bald look.)The parallels between the Brits of the 19th and early 20th centuries and Simon are worth examining. In both cases, it was the hubris of the otherwise ingenious Englishmen that did them in. The Brits in India with their oppressive Salt Taxes and brutal suppression of their Indian subjects; the imperious Simon with his gratuitous, sometimes cruel, insults of a young man with a real, if not enormous, fan base. (Simon overstepped with his colonialist hauteur. And now millions of families are paying a dear price as the sun sets on their favorite TV show.)
The implications are huge indeed. It's about more than a single show or a major network. The entire Reality Show Raj may already be teetering. Idol whetted our appetites for talent contests, by far the most enduring of the reality sub-genres. Without Idol, Heather Mills may as well hop back across the pond (where I suspect her countrymen will promptly trade her for the servicemen held in Iran).
And all because of one soft-spoken Indian.
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UPDATE: So it's the end of the road for Chris Sligh. A sign that the influence of the Christian Right is waning? With his dismissal and the survival of Sanjaya, one thing is clear: This is a new America.
P.S. What was up with Chris Richardson totally hogging air time during that Ford commercial? Not cool!
*RELATED ARTICLE: IS IT RANDY'S FAULT?
Reader Comments ( Page 5 of 13)
61. sanjaya and the girl with the wood leg should be given cameo appearances on the next LION KING where they would be promptly EATEN by the big lion can't his or her name but i remember that SANJAYA kid's he is so cute oh wow i am pathetic is there a pill for that?
Ottumjohn at 12:13PM on Mar 29th 2007
62. sanjaya and the girl with the wood leg should be given cameo appearances on the next LION KING where they would be promptly EATEN by the big lion can't his or her name but i remember that SANJAYA kid's he is so cute oh wow i am pathetic is there a pill for that?
Ottumjohn at 12:13PM on Mar 29th 2007
63. BOGUS. That is all I can say about AI. Kelly Clarkson has and always will be my favorite idol anyways.
DK at 12:18PM on Mar 29th 2007
64. I love Sanjaya. Stop picking on him. He's a cute guy with an adorable smile. So what if he can't sing as well as some of the others. He's not that bad. Look how far Justin Guarini made it and he stunk and was ugly!
You go, Sanjaya. My vote is for you!
Lori at 12:23PM on Mar 29th 2007
65. Please. People who have watched this show for years should surely remember that every season there is a contestant who outlasts his/her welcome. (Jasmine Trias in third place, anyone?)
More power to Sanjaya for having the cojones to stand up there every week and take the crap that America is throwing at him. Although I don't think he should have made it into the top 24 (If AI hates him so much, they shouldn't have put him through), I'm starting to like him more for unapologetically embracing this absurd fate.
Don't fault the kid for running with a shot that thousands audition for. Seriously, would any of you bow out gracefully? Really?
angenian at 12:27PM on Mar 29th 2007
66. THE KIDS IN AMERICAN IDOL ARE THERE BECAUSE THERE FAN VOTED THEM IN SO DONT BLAIM THE KIDS. THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE VOTES
milton at 12:28PM on Mar 29th 2007
67. I don't understand why people are upset. AI was crap from the start and like crap has been stinking up the airwaves. Remember this, Simon wanted him in this competition. May he get what he deserves.
Allen at 1:11PM on Mar 29th 2007
68. Sanjaya,
Thank you ...come again
gary at 12:43PM on Mar 29th 2007
69. the sooner AI is off the air the better for all mankind
Allen at 12:44PM on Mar 29th 2007
70. Have u people gone mad u need a shrink this is just a tv show....of course as the indian boy stays on it draws more couriosity to tune in and ur doin it LOL...he is so young and if it was ur kid up there u would be pissed at these comments...nomatter what its still a family show and maybe as in all contest a little crooked that what makes the drama and intrique to continue watching its not gonna affect u personally in ur daily life so why do u care who wins ??? whats ur stake in this???? duh grow up, no wonder kids are so immature their parents are.
mike at 12:49PM on Mar 29th 2007
71. ugh!! can't take it any more , what's happening to America. Are they really listening to music on American Idol or are they looking for the loss of very talented people to give up hope. We need to stop this voting system. Maybe 50% judges and 50% voters. Let's give a voice. Come on Simon speak up already!!!
Jill P at 12:48PM on Mar 29th 2007
72. Just remember Chicken Little was in longer than he deserved also. Sanjaya's time will come. The people voted off already would not have lasted until the end. It will work its way out. The true AI fans will see to it.
Etch at 12:49PM on Mar 29th 2007
73. Long live Sanjaya and Howard Stern!!
Haywood at 12:50PM on Mar 29th 2007
74. I was sick at my stomach after last nights show. I am torn as to what I should do. I enjoy the show and hate to quit watching it. These are some ideas I am contemplating, I used to record the show if we were not going to be home. I think now I will no longer record it and just watch what ever is left of the show. I could watch every contestant except Sanjaya or I could start picking a contestant that I feel like could possibly be in the bottom three and vote over and over for that person, in hopes that it will elimitae Sanjaya. IT IS SICKENING.
Valorie at 12:54PM on Mar 29th 2007
75. To be honest i like Sanjaya's faux mo it was original but then didn't Nadia do that one a couple years ago LOL he should have worn american/indian buffalo briefs and fringed indian boots to go with the look ...heck it was interesting maybe Chris S should been as creative...go figure hehehe
mike at 12:58PM on Mar 29th 2007