Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
Posted Apr 10th 2007 10:02PM by Mo Rocca
Filed under: Mo's Videos, Pop Culture, TV, American Idol, Sanjaya Malakar, Indian-American politics, Sanjaya's hair, Reality Television
As much as I like Sanjaya, I'm willing to entertain the possibility that he's survived to this point in the competition by fraudulent means. Among the theories being floated: secret Indian call centers with Sanjanistas feverishly dialing ... when they should be dealing with American credit card complaints.
Watch my investigation below.
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The Sound of a Smoke-Free Barack...
Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 2)
16. Mo Rocca I think you are making fun of conspiracy theory, if your video is a joke you are GOOD. If it is serious I am sorry for you.
Ashot at 3:21PM on Apr 12th 2007
17. I think the suggestion is completely reasonable. Why wouldn't an "Indian Connection" creep into our most popular program. They already control the phone lines for EVERY mega company in the U.S.
Joyce Buckley at 3:37PM on Apr 12th 2007
18. This comment by Mo Rocco is no worse than IMUS!
Tammie at 1:43AM on Apr 13th 2007
19. All of us people that are from India work at AOL during American Idol, so we can't be calling in for our boy SanJaya!!
India Mama at 1:45AM on Apr 13th 2007
20. Vote for Melinda! I like "neck-less" women, they know how to use their throats! India Papa
India Papa at 1:52AM on Apr 13th 2007
21. In all actuality, there are about two people that should be booted before Sanjaya.
Orin at 4:04AM on Apr 14th 2007
22. This rise of Sanjaya, further underscores the fact that the biggest success of American Idol is its ability to hold a mirror to our culture. It shows us what is striking a chord with many of us.
Is it news that talent alone does not always succeed in the arena of entertainment? If it did we would be tripping over celebrities at the mini- marts. Success in entertainment is attributable to factors beyond raw talent.Many people work to overcome their singular lack of talent and become sucessful entertainers.
The Sanjaya package is a combination of factors that works for this moment- talent being the smallest factor operating in this equation. For whatever reason, this package resonates with people. He's making a connection.
There's an amazing scene in Kevin Spacey's-
Beyond the Sea- the Bobby Darin bio-pic.
He is at a low-point in his career and trying to
re-invent himself- the audience isn't buying his
new music- though he has something he desperately needs to express. His wife- Sandra Dee- tries to console him and says to him, "Its okay, people hear what they see anyway'. This turns on a light for him , he reworks his act and makes a comeback.
American Idol is a mirror of our culture. You can be sure, in America, people hear what they see. People are seeing something and making a connection. Sanjaya is having his moment. Good for him. I hope he enjoys the ride.
matt sarles at 10:42AM on Apr 15th 2007
23. Who really cares anyway, I think the show is BS. There are a lot more important things going on in this world than American Idol.
Wesley Geer at 4:21PM on Apr 15th 2007
24. Its easy to think of the show as BS.
However,the emergence of India as a political/cultural and economic participant in the global economy is a big story, of world importance. It affects every American
The fact that an Indian singer is achieving mainstream American recognition - is interesting. Would we be posting blogs about this guy when Idol first aired?
matt sarles at 9:11PM on Apr 15th 2007
25. Im sorry but i kinda liked this video.You might think its racist..but theres also some truth to it.And the AOL comment,,,lol,,i quit subscribing to AOL because i could never get anyone except an Indian whom i could never understand and its like that with a lot of big companys now.Another thing bothers me...why is it when you place a call,,,you have to press 1 for English??Shouldnt it be if you are non English speaking that you should be the one to have to deal with that?
Back to Sanjaya...he doesnt deserve to win american idol at all....doesnt matter where hes from.Actually this years AI is soooo bland that i could give a rats ass who wins.I quit watching and havent ever voted...
erin at 7:02PM on Apr 17th 2007
26. Coot maan, Stop insuting em coolies...Dey exist to carry white man luggage ( Software, Doctors, Motels, 7-11, gas stations). Hey fool, do you realize that the Indian folks dont even care for Sanjaya. If this is the effort they put in to vote for Sanjaya can you imagine some American Indian running for presidency. The call center folkshave your credit card number ... maybe they should go out for a night of poppadum and beer courtesy you fat debt laden credit card.
Miguel at 3:56PM on May 8th 2007