Thank goodness Sanjaya's performance of "Cheek to Cheek" was posted. Once again Sanjaya was shrewd - brilliant! - in selecting his song. "Heaven, I'm in Heaven," the song begins. We don't know if Sanjaya is a practicing Hindu. But it should be noted that heaven is not a focal point in Hinduism - just a temporary state known as swarga loka - in the reincarnation cycle. (Ooh, I do love the idea of a reincarnated Sanjaya coming back to perform in American Idol season 112 - getting sneered at by Simon's wickedly mean great-granddaughter. Of course by that point the show will be broadcast from Bangalore and the dark horse contestant will be an immigrant from Alabama.) In any case, Sanjaya's homage to "Heaven" was a calculated reassurance to Christian voters that he respects their theology.
On a less spiritual plane, it's worth remembering that the magnificent and notoriously grumpy Irving Berlin (composer of "Cheek to Cheek" for the 1935 movie musical "Top Hat") called Fred Astaire, who originally sang the song, his favorite singer. Astaire was not a singer. Like Sanjaya he had a thin, quavering voice. But he felt the lyrics. He had heart. And heart is Sanjaya's selling point.
(Photos: Fox/AP)
By the way, did anyone notice that the camera showed "Sanjaya's Dad and Family." Odd that his Indian father was mentioned separately from his "family." Why not simply "Sanjaya's Family"?
The only other clip on YouTube I could find from last night's show was Blake Lewis' okay "Mack the Knife." Blake is so comfortable on stage, so happy. I give him major points for that. But he's too pleased with himself. His "confession" in this week's People Magazine that he's "sexually frustrated" and his over-the-top come-on to all the girls reading ("A tour could be fun!") is beneath him. Why not just take out an ad reading "Wanted: Groupies!!!")
PS: I would have given Blake extra points for singing Mack the Knife in the original German: "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer".
Finally, while I wish I had seen the full show last night, my YouTube clip hunt did lead me to one conclusion: Clay Aiken's astonishing vocal talent remains unmatched. I fell onto clips of his "Solitaire" and "Unchained Melody" from Season 2. Wow.
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itrnxkqnig at 10:18AM on Jan 24th 2009
2. Hi Mo
I met you last night at the Koger Center in Columbia, SC. Great job. You mentioned you will be working on a play, what is it about and where will it be? What is your email addy? I want to "chat you up"...as they say.
Ryan (prince charming)
Ryan at 9:17AM on Apr 4th 2007
3. You were kidding about the Clay Aiken comment, right? Please say yes...
lmai83 at 4:43PM on Apr 4th 2007
4. I am pretty sure I read somewhere that Sanjaya gets a lot of support from his (Christian) church and he sings in a little gospel group. Could be wrong, but I want to be right.
Ash at 6:53PM on Apr 10th 2007
5. dont be hatin' Blake! He's awsum. and Jordin Sparks has sooo many fans (including me) so actually she ISNT living on a prayer.
BLAKE IS MY IDOL!
~ani
ani at 3:23PM on May 9th 2007
6. Hey, don't be mean to Blake!! He can come-on to me if he wants! ;-) :-)
Kagan at 8:49PM on May 19th 2007
7. AMERICAN IDOL SHOULD BE JUST THAT. LOOKING FOR AN "IDOL" WHICH INCLUDES THE ENTIRE PACKAGE; SINGING ABILITY, PERSONALITY, LOOKS ,DANCING ABILITY, ETC.
BOB SYLVE at 4:04PM on May 23rd 2007
8. BLAKE SHOULD HAVE WON!!!!! I'd love blake to sing my songs they fit his range and style....great new music at cdbaby.com/lamoureux thanks all gary
ngagary at 11:44PM on Jul 7th 2007
9. blake is awesome !!!!!!!! love to have him sing my tunes at cdbaby.com/lamoureux what do you think??? thanks gary
ngagary at 9:44PM on Jun 15th 2007