Via Uberdesi, your home for American Idol-related everything.
What perfect timing— some of us were just talking about both Sanjaya AND the utility of hunger strikes! I’d write more but I’m rolling on the floor, laughing my callipygian rondure off.
March 18, 2007
48 comments
on March 18, 2007 06:42 PM · Direct link
Oh, wow. I mean, I agree that Sanjaya shouldn't still be on the show, but hunger striking? Even if it is fake hunger striking, he's only seventeen, and he's getting the message that his singing is SO bad that people are willing to deprive themselves of food to get him to shut up?
[Compassion mode off]
Still, it is kinda funny.
on March 18, 2007 07:17 PM · Direct link
Howlarious!
on March 18, 2007 07:25 PM · Direct link
The SAJA Forum had some interesting analysis on the Sanjaya affair, and quotes a commentator who thinks Sanjaya's perennial bottom-three performance is staged:
No one who can think logically and rationally can take seriously that Sanjaya has been in the "bottom 3" for 4 weeks straight. First of all we know it isn't true, during week one of the semi-finals week, [host Ryan] Seacrest mentioned that he actually finished as one of the top 4 boys. And since then he has always placed in the top 4 in the votes, even this week, he was in 3rd place on dial idol. There's no way the results can be that drastically different. Say what you will about his singing abilities, pick on how the stylists do his hair, what ever makes you feel better about yourself, but by now even Sanjaya knows that something is up. The producers are messing with him. You could see it written all over his face tonight, nothing surprised him anymore.
on March 18, 2007 07:48 PM · Direct link
Well, whatever maybe the motivation to do some dieting. Go ahead baby and get started, I am definitely voting for Sanjaya, which I never did before :)
on March 18, 2007 07:51 PM · Direct link
I am definitely voting for Sanjaya, which I never did before :)
I know, right? I can't believe it never dawned on her that her stunt would probably inspire people to do more of what she disagreed with...what a genius.
on March 18, 2007 07:56 PM · Direct link
Actually it's pretty entertaining. We @ UberDesi have been accused of (believe it or not) colluding with call centers to vote for Sanjaya because of this post.
I'm guessing the reasons for the accusations are pretty rudimentary - "OMG! Every person of Indian origin must know someone who works in a call center. These brown people must be huddling in small curry rooms smelling of curry trying to contact their brethren in Indian call centers to vote for their kind.".
So, that my friends, is your lesson is stereotyping for today.
on March 18, 2007 07:56 PM · Direct link
From the video: "There are some people who think it would be funny to try and sabotage American Idol by voting for a lesser contestant."
???????
Sabotage American Idol?
All I can say is "it's about time!"
(And yes, it would be funny.)
on March 18, 2007 08:12 PM · Direct link
I know, right? I can't believe it never dawned on her that her stunt would probably inspire people to do more of what she disagreed with...what a genius.
She is a genius for sure. Its like this, I read Sanjaya's profile and he said that if he cant sing, he would try to be a singer. So he is basically addressing his insecurities in front of the camera. I guess this genius is doing the same - "good for her, no food for her" :)
You should read the hilarious comments for that video too - one guy says:
"Wow, this is really sad!! For those of you who thing she will only last a half day, you are sadly mistaken. I'm sure she ate the person holding the camera immediatley after the video was completed. She needs to get a life and a gym membership. "
I love America(n Idol).
on March 18, 2007 08:22 PM · Direct link
Hunger strike ? Man, I'm Tamil, when I hear hunger strike I think back to Jayalalithaa's days in power.. There were water shortages (I think there still are water shortages) and she went on a hunger strike because other states were refusing to give some of there water to tamil nadu..
I don't watch American Idol anymore.. It was fun the first season now it's no longer fun..
on March 18, 2007 08:50 PM · Direct link
Jayalalithaa's days in power.. There were water shortages (I think there still are water shortages) and she went on a hunger strike because other states were refusing to give some of there water to tamil nadu..
OMG I know exactly what you are talking about. Funny thing was she looked almost like the girl in this video. Healthy...
on March 18, 2007 09:12 PM · Direct link
Please vote for Sanjaya so the heavy girl can lose a few pounds. On a more serious note ... a hunger strike over a manufactured pop idol, while real issues of social justice go unnoticed? Things get weirder everyday.
on March 18, 2007 09:44 PM · Direct link
"There were water shortages (I think there still are water shortages) and she went on a hunger strike because other states were refusing to give some of there water to tamil nadu.."
...speaking of...
on March 18, 2007 09:55 PM · Direct link
Ah, to youthful idealism.
But she cannot win. The call centers know no mercy.
on March 18, 2007 10:11 PM · Direct link
...speaking of...
LOL, did you notice the similarities in names of the two protogonists? :))
Jaya, Jay...(sanJAYA) all the same! I see a pattern.
on March 18, 2007 10:19 PM · Direct link
This is Too Easy...
that was a little bit too easy.
on March 18, 2007 10:25 PM · Direct link
that was a little bit too easy.
?
on March 18, 2007 10:41 PM · Direct link
Hunger strike ? Man, I'm Tamil, when I hear hunger strike I think back to Jayalalithaa's days in power.. There were water shortages (I think there still are water shortages) and she went on a hunger strike because other states were refusing to give some of there water to tamil nadu..blockquote>The Puratchi Thalaivar's diet had nothing to do with the Cauvery river dispute. She broke the suspensions on several Ambassadors and even a lorry and it dawned on her that it was time for a change. Back on topic, I saw the guy perform and I think you guys are very harsh.
on March 18, 2007 10:47 PM · Direct link
Back on topic, I saw the guy perform and I think you guys are very harsh.
Harsh on who?
on March 18, 2007 11:18 PM · Direct link
Back on topic, I saw the guy perform and I think you guys are very harsh.
Any way you could convince him to perform on American Idol?
on March 18, 2007 11:53 PM · Direct link
Speaking of hunger strikes
on March 19, 2007 12:09 AM · Direct link
May be someone will upload a Slim Jay Fast, Vote for Sanjaya! video/
on March 19, 2007 12:17 AM · Direct link
Funnily, someone asked me about Sanjaya, and actually paused to check if I had any explanation for why he's still on the show. it semed like the exectation was a) there was a concerted effort on the part of desis to keep him on the show and b) as an indian I knew of this plan
on March 19, 2007 12:37 AM · Direct link
It semed like the exectation was a) there was a concerted effort on the part of desis to keep him on the show and b) as an indian I knew of this plan.
Perhaps if there is to be a plan, it should have something to do with the mass distribution of the film American Dreamz to people who carry those expectations. Obviously if it is in fact rigged, the people who are making the concerted effort on Sanjaya's behalf are the producers, as noted by Risible's comment:
By now even Sanjaya knows that something is up. The producers are messing with him.
on March 19, 2007 12:45 AM · Direct link
He's cute, he holds a tune, more than can be said for the rest.
on March 19, 2007 01:35 AM · Direct link
I'm not surprised that everyone thinks there's a desi conspiracy to get him on board. Some woman was interviewed on CNN to comment on why Sanjaya has made it, and her first reason was, "Well, he's the first person of his ethnicity to make it to the top 20..." Really? Really? Because last time I checked there were WAY MORE people of other ethnicities than there were desis in the U.S. (even if you divide those groups by the number of contestants). But you know, Indians - always voting for the crappy kid with bad hair.
I actually don't think he's terrible - he just has zero stage presence, and his song selection (oftentimes) sucks.
on March 19, 2007 01:40 AM · Direct link
I think he's hindered by the inexplicable belief that he can channel Stevie Wonder (ok I have seen a little American Idol)
on March 19, 2007 01:42 AM · Direct link
Haha, the truth comes out, Sahej!
I really enjoyed his cover of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" - mostly because he looked SO happy singing it. His little face lit up, and it totally brought out the auntie in me (you just want to pinch his cheeks!). It has been ALL BAD since then. It's not the actually singing, just the energy, sincerity, joy, etc.
on March 19, 2007 01:48 AM · Direct link
What can I say, he's indian and he's on TV....its hard to squelch the old "look come running, there's an indian on TV" habit
but yeah, its been downhill since the first song, looks like he needs more confidence
on March 19, 2007 01:54 AM · Direct link
Sanjaya definitely brings out the Auntie in me too. And i'm a guy.
AH! Sanjaya and La Kisha, together last Wednesday. Under the swirling lights :-)
on March 19, 2007 02:52 AM · Direct link
As tempted as I have been to blog the Sanjaya story, I've so far resisted (not sure how long I can possibly continue) because I don't even know how the kid identifies... so far he hasn't said anything to indicate that he is in any way Indian, South Asian, whatever. It really seems like everyone's sort of pressing this identity on him. Maybe he's benefitting and maybe not - it still seems kinda messed up though.
on March 19, 2007 02:53 AM · Direct link
I take it back - that in itself seems worth a post...
on March 19, 2007 10:48 AM · Direct link
at #16
Sorry, I should've explained myself a bit better. I was just saying that this is just a young impressionable kid. She shouldn't be held accountable for what she said and made fun of on the net. She obviously doesn't know what hunger strike even means. Or even heard of real causes folks like Gandhi went on hunger strikes for.
Do let me know if I am taking a light matter to seriously. But I had read these kinds of comments coming in and thought a bunch of educated Desi folks were bigger thant that.
I'm sure she ate the person holding the camera immediatley after the video was completed. She needs to get a life and a gym membership.
on March 19, 2007 11:04 AM · Direct link
"There were water shortages (I think there still are water shortages) and she went on a hunger strike because other states were refusing to give some of there water to tamil nadu.."...speaking of...
Does anyone else besides me get the feeling that Jayalalitha could be reading SM?
on March 19, 2007 11:09 AM · Direct link
Maybe it is because Hawaii is also voting for him. He knows to Hula Hoop. Hawaii + Indians(some) + votefortheworst.com, he might even end up in the finals.
on March 19, 2007 11:20 AM · Direct link
"Some woman was interviewed on CNN to comment on why Sanjaya has made it, and her first reason was, "Well, he's the first person of his ethnicity to make it to the top 20..."
isn't he half non-indian or half-white? so how come that half doesn't come into play in these ridiculous conspiracy theories?
on March 19, 2007 11:22 AM · Direct link
Shlok @32
But I had read these kinds of comments coming in and thought a bunch of educated Desi folks were bigger thant that.I'm sure she ate the person holding the camera immediatley after the video was completed. She needs to get a life and a gym membership.
You are right. That comment was uncalled for.
Personally I prefer this blurb from the VFTW site
So make sure you vote for Sanjaya this week, because not only will it make the show funnier, it'll force that girl to flip us the bird as she tears into her first cheeseburger Wednesday night before she passes out.
on March 19, 2007 11:22 AM · Direct link
isn't he half non-indian or half-white? so how come that half doesn't come into play in these ridiculous conspiracy theories?Yes, but it seems that TV/radio personalities are adhering to the "one drop" rule here when it comes to ethnicity and self-identification.
on March 19, 2007 11:24 AM · Direct link
#35:
isn't he half non-indian or half-white? so how come that half doesn't come into play in these ridiculous conspiracy theories?
Exactly! His mom is of Italian descent, which could mean the folks of Italian origin in the North East could also be voting en-masse for him. Also they show his mother more often than they do his father.
on March 19, 2007 01:14 PM · Direct link
In another fish barrel situation, India is closing in on 400 total.
on March 19, 2007 02:22 PM · Direct link
I might get banned for this comment, but Sanjaya make's Clay Aiken look like a lumberjack.
on March 19, 2007 03:54 PM · Direct link
I might get banned for this comment, but Sanjaya make's Clay Aiken look like a lumberjack.
Please be seeing:
racist, abusive, illiterate, content-free or commercial comments; personal, non-issue-focused flames; intolerant or anti-secular comments; and long, obscure rants may be deleted. Unless they're funny. It's all good then.
:D
on March 20, 2007 10:55 PM · Direct link
American Idol has become seriously downright loony...a small girl today started crying after seeing Sanjaya on screen, because she loved him so much. They spent some time on her gleaming face. and Sanjaya is sparking a new rocker persona.
The kid part was so cute though and the show was hugely entertaining. My guess: the producers will keep Sanjaya around till he turns boring.
on March 21, 2007 02:35 AM · Direct link
"All too easy" - Darth Vader
on March 21, 2007 03:00 AM · Direct link
I'm not a fan of the show but one of my friends sent me this, it's an older video of one of his performances with a church choir, and the guy has some skills.
on March 21, 2007 03:10 PM · Direct link
I changed my mind, big up Sanjaya Malakar....brown kid takes the punches and rollllled with em
on March 21, 2007 06:21 PM · Direct link
I think after last night's performance and with a help of a little friend's tears our boy might make it through.
What do you guys think? Miss J might lose 20 lbs or waaaaatt!!
on March 22, 2007 04:52 PM · Direct link
I thought this was the prank of a silly teen, but according to her MySpace profile, she's 23. I would've thought at this age, she would have found other, more pressing concerns to fast for.
She's posted a couple of more videos:
http://www.myspace.com/starvationforsanjaya
on March 22, 2007 05:08 PM · Direct link
Sorry, I mean she has a couple of blog entries, not videos.
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