Another week passes, and Sanjaya Malakar, the American Idol contestant everyone loves to hate to love, manages to avoid the chopping block and moves on in the competition. America keeps voting him through! He's like an unsolved mystery, a full-fledged unexplainable phenomenon. And you can't turn on the radio or television without someone making a joke or reference to the kid. You know things have gotten out of hand when Charles Gibson is reporting news about S-Boy's success on ABC's World News Tonight like he's talking about Iraq or Darfur. It's madness: Sanjaya's charms outweigh his singing chops. But you know the show's producer are eating up the publicity, whatever way they can get it.
People have numerous theories about how he's made it so far, the most outlandish one suggesting that an army of India's call center workers are tipping the vote. This is ridiculous, considering that in reality no one in India actually gives a crap about the kid: Sanjaya's 'Idol' run not India's fault. Meanwhile, the under-talented Sanjaya continues to steamroll his way through the competition, much to the consternation of die-hard Idol fans. Remember that woman who said that she was going on a hunger strike until Sanjaya was out of the competition? Defeated. Overcome by Sanjaya's totally radical awesomeness, she gave up her hunger strike: Amateur! I scorn your weakness. Something about health reasons or something foolish like that. You dare to stand in his way? Sanjaya will crush you!
By the way, I'm tickled by the fact that this website is the first result listed when you do a Google search for "man hires people to vote for sanjaya." Yes, everyone. I am the man secretly hiring people to vote for Sanjaya. And it's working. But dude, what if the kid goes all the way? Could Sanjaya actually be the next American Idol? There are those who dare to think the unthinkable: ifsanjayawins.com
In other reality TV news... I completely missed this show, but Krishtine De Leon, the Filipina representing for the Bay Area, was named the winner on MTV's I'm From Rolling Stone, earning herself a coveted position as a staff writer for Rolling Stone. Seems like her victory happened without much fanfare... I guess the show wasn't quite as successful as they hoped. Here's a recap of her win: Krishtine wins I'm from Rolling Stone. and in case you're curious, here's Krishtine's blog.
The latest season of ABC's Dancing With The Stars is well underway, and two-time winner Cheryl Burke is back and teamed up with Steve Sanders from Beverly Hills 90210. Also in the mix is short track speed skating Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno, who is bad need of a shave. My money's on Cheryl and Steve to win.
On The Apprentice, internet entrepreneur James has made it pretty far as one of the final few candidates left, surviving several boardroom scrapes... Could he be on his way to becoming Donald Trump's next new right-hand man?
While I was totally invested in the previous season of Survivor, I've completely avoided the current season, despite a number of Asian American folks among the castaways. Is anyone really interested in this season? It feels like it kind of fell off the map, after all the hype last season. Anyway, a quick check of the Survivor: Fiji website reveals that there are still four Asian brothers and sisters remaining on the island: Michelle, Mookie, Stacy, Yau Man. That's pretty good. I might just have to go back and catch up on this season to follow along...
Finally, I'm told that on Spike TV's Ultimate Fighter 5, a show I had never seen or heard of until yesterday, there's a badass-looking fighter named Andy Wang. He's one of 16 up-and-coming lightweights competing for a UFC contract. I don't have Spike TV, so someone please keep me informed about this guy's progress.