Long Live Sanjaya Malakar, The American Idol Underdog

Robert DeMarco — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:21:02 EDT

Hey, I don't mind admitting it, I watch American Idol. Frankly, I find the show uplifting. What could be better than watching young people reach for their dream -- the American Dream. If nothing else you need to admire them for having the courage to go for it. It beats sitting on your butt dreaming about what you want.

And I'll tell ya what. I am a big fan of Sanjaya Malakar. That's right. The kid has a voice like Stevie Wonder. We can only hope that he shows it this week.

The thing that interests me the most is the fact that every single person I know hates the kid and doesn't believe he deserves to be in the top twelve. Well guess what? Most of them have been paying off their weekly bets to me as the kid moves on.

They continually ask me what I see in Sanjaya. I honestly believe he has a "fantastic" voice. No, he isn't a showman, nor does he have a big act. He looks like a deer in the headlights. But let's face it, I am not the only one that sees something in the kid. America, or a slice of America, believes in him.

Do I think he will make it much further? No, I don't. On the other hand, it won't surprise me in the least if he goes another couple of weeks. One thing for sure, he is going to need to knock the cover off the ball if he intends to move on this week. Can he deliver the big big performance when he needs it? Well, I for one am rooting for him.

I was sorry to see Sundance go. He is really terrific. But, sometimes they just don't seem to learn you gotta sing something popular. A tremendous rendition of a song none of us ever heard of insures one thing -- back you go to your day job. Right Constantino?

Desicritics Author: Robert DeMarco

Long Live Sanjaya Malakar, The American Idol Underdog