Tonight: 'Idol Gives Back,' but won't give back Sanjaya to audience
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- April
- 24
Tonight, on a “very special” episode of “American Idol,” we’ll be “treated” to the six finalists singing ” ‘life anthem’ songs about compassion and hope.” (I think I just shattered a record for quotes in a sentence, although a few of them were added for emphasis/sarcasm.)
Of course, it’s been almost a week since Sanjaya Malakar was eliminated from the show. I have to say, I miss the guy (for now). I actually felt sad for him when the crowd cheered his April 18 departure. Many blame the voters—’tween girls, Howard Stern fans and VoteForTheWorst.com supporters—for carrying him that far in the competion; I believe far more blame must be placed on the “judges” (read: producers) who decided that his image was more important than his voice when they picked him for the Top 24.
Once I realized that his subpar vocals and rejuvenated charisma actually made the show more interesting to watch, I let go of the fact that he was vastly inferior to the remaining contestants and watched the departure of middle-of-the-pack contestants—Haley Scarnato, Gina Glocksen, Brandon Rogers, et al. Short of displacing Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis or Jordin Sparks, I would have been content with Malakar finishing as high as fourth.
But I’m sure he won’t disappear anytime soon. The fun in rooting for him with a heavy dose of irony is about to be replaced by endless cameos over the next year. Last night, he delivered the Top 10 list on “Late Show with David Letterman.” As the North Salem talk show pointed out, he seemed a little too comfortable in front of the camera. Oh well.
Starting at 8 p.m., tonight and tomorrow night’s shows should be water-cooler-worthy stuff, with or without Mr. Malakar. In addition to what will likely be show-stopping performances by Melinda Doolittle and LaKisha Jones (this theme of “inspirational” songs should be right in their wheelhouses), expect cameos from Celine Dion, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Earth, Wind & Fire, Il Divo, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Josh Groban with the African Children’s Choir, Jack Black, Helen Mirren, Rascal Flatts, Quincy Jones, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Annie Lennox. Ellen DeGeneres is slated to host tomorrow night’s results show.
Maybe even Borat (Sasha Baron Cohen), who was previously mentioned as a possible guest, will make a Ryan Seacrest joke. Niiice. Great success. High five.
(Photo by Frank Micelotta / FOX)
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 at 5:52 pm by Chris Serico.
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Cool…
interesting
Cool.
Cool!