Enough is Enough: Sanjaya on IDOL

Now he's part of the top nine? Sanjaya Malakar, 17, has succeeded to slip through the cracks and remain a finalist on the fifth season of American Idol. How has this happened? The latest season of American Idol is proving to be sub-standard to previous seasons. America votes off the half-decent contestants and leaves the ones who can't really sing?

From the beginning of the season, Sanjaya has proved to be a friendly, warm, and loveable person. Paula Abdul is correct when she says Sanjaya has a warm soul. It was heartwarming to see his joys and challenges since auditions when his sister did not make it into the top 20. Sanjaya does have a nice smile, he certainly knows how to do his hair, and he's easy to like. However, once he starts singing, all that charm, charisma, and couture goes right out the window.

Sanjaya seems to be the Idol contestant with one of the largest and most unusual fan bases. Fans have created websites dedicated to keeping the teen on the show. He even has some votes that are being rallied by Howard Stern at votefortheworst.com. The plant in last week's episode, Ashley Ferl, bordered on the edge of ridiculous. She swooned over Sanjaya and cried real tears to prove it, reminding viewers of the 1950s and the Elvis phenomenon. The difference: Elvis was a good singer and great performer. Sanjaya lacks power and stage presence, but makes up for it in popularity (even if it's because he's the worst on Idol).

Critics agree that Sanjaya's stay in the competition will be detrimental to American Idol on a larger scale. Click here for an AOL News story on this. There is superior talent on the show and it would be a travesty to see Sanjaya win. Critics do concur that Sanjaya could still be marketable and create a record with success.

Like any new pop culture icon, Sanjaya has his own web page at http://www.sanjayafans.com/ and even Wikipedia has created an article for him. How long will his fame last? Will he be the next American Idol?

I, for one, hope not. There are many other talented contestants including Melinda Doolittle, LaKisha Jones, Blake Lewis, and even Phil Stacey. I suppose that only time will tell as the latest season treks onward.

Tomorrow morning at work I will be ranting with my friend about the Sanjaya phenomenon. Even though I don’t think Sanjaya should win the contest, I can’t help but enjoy the fact that he has continued to stay in the competition. Once the season is over and we know the results, it could make for an interesting case study on pop culture and interactive entertainment. Until then…I can only beg America…choose a real idol.