No matter what happens w/ Sanjaya, American Idol is dead. – Updated!
I actually think that Sanjaya Malakar is going to win American Idol.
I have been hearing tidbits about the “vote for the worst campaign” presently being launched by the blogosphere. At first I didnt’ think anything of it. But now, the fact that he has made it this far, the campaign must be doing something right. Then when tonight, he wasn’t even in the bottom 3, I’m thinking there just might be something to this. But recently, (like 2 minutes ago) I read this post from MediaLoper and I was completely convinced.
I can see now that every time he is not voted off, the movement picks up more steam, it starts moving faster, more people get on the train, it’s self perpetuating. They don’t do it for Sanjaya, they do it against American Idol, against Fox, against the mainstream, against everything that wasn’t made just for them that is always being forced upon them.
I’ll admit it, I have watched pretty much every episode of AI with my wife for the past 6 years. I have never voted. Not a single time. For the first time, I have something to vote for.
No matter what happens, whether Sanjaya wins because this movement captures the imaginations of Americans or because Fox has to make some special concessions or adjustments to put an end to the maddness, American Idol is done.
The tipping point has been reached and it is all down hill form here. The market has spoken, will Fox listen?
Who are you voting for?
PS. I also see a similar trend with the current presidential race. No matter what technologies and media outlets are deployed on behalf of the conservatives, the voice of the people will be heard, and finally, answered. Currently, That voice wants Barack, and there is nothing in the mainstream media that can do anything about it. Whether is it being done out of love for Barack or out of hate for the current system is quite possibly irrelevant.
UPDATE: April 18th, 9:00
Watched Idol last night, Simon is starting to get pissed that the San Man is still in the competition. Poor Simon, I don’t think he realizes yet that his show is no longer under his control.
UPDATE; April 19th, 10:30pm
Well, the reign is over. For some reason, Sanjaya very conspicously was voted off the day before the big “Idol Gives Back” show.
Part of me thinks that the whole Idol gives back thing was a political move to get the media attention off Sanjaya. Then the more intelegent and less conspiracy minded part of me is just glad they have given some of the Cash they have made on the Idol Cow to something other than their own bank accounts.
Back to conspiracy theories – Who thinks they finally just kicked Sanji off despite the voting results?
Evan Said,
April 5, 2007 @ 4:35 am
Thankfully, teenie boppers and the majority of people who vote on American Idol aren’t old enough to vote for President and thus Barack, he’s gonna have a hard enough time winning the Dem vote let alone the president.
And the “Vote for the Worst” campaign is nothing new its actually a website that has been up since AI started, its nothing new http://votefortheworst.com/ Fox won’t let Sanjaya win but if he does next season is gonna be interesting because every freak out there will really think they can win.
admin Said,
April 5, 2007 @ 5:36 am
Thanks for stopping by Ev. I agree and disagree, while the “vote for the worst” campaign may have been around since the beginning, Sanjaya is the focus of a tipping point for this movement within AI. You surely can’t be trying to argue that the teeny boppers alone are responsible for getting him this far into the competition. He wasn’t even in the bottom 3 this week! Even Chicken Little was in the bottom 3 at this point.
I share your thoughts on Barack, I definitely think he is going to have a tough time but just like with the vote for the worst campaign, he is giving a voice to those previously not inspired enough to take action. I think he at the center of a turning political tide.
While he may not have legions of teeny boppers on his side, he does have the vast majority of intelligent, connected, young professionals that make up the vast majority of on-line action. Maybe we can be his boppers .
Additionally, I am interested to see what happens as a result of the Move-on.org virtual town hall. That will be as much of a primary as any state election if not more so.
So what are we called in the political sense anyway? Us connected young professionals. Do we have a name? Are we something cheesy like Gen X 2.0?
Cord Said,
April 5, 2007 @ 6:41 am
Adam,
I totally agree with you. I usually watch the first couple of AI episodes when all the bad singers are auditioning once the competition starts, it just sucks.
What is scary is exactly what you brought up in regard to the presidential race. I could care less whether Sanjay wins or not in AI, but I sure do care who wins in the presidential race.
admin Said,
April 5, 2007 @ 8:35 am
Thanks cord, It’s funny, the presidential aspect of this post didn’t come to me until the end. In retrospect, it’s the most compelling point.
Jim Connelly Said,
April 5, 2007 @ 9:15 am
So on one hand, thanks for your comments on my post. On the other hand, I now feel bad that I’m contributing to you not liking a show that you’ve enjoyed for 6 seasons.
But not that bad . . .
Nicky Noodle Said,
April 5, 2007 @ 10:15 am
Is he not Boy George’s love child?
admin Said,
April 5, 2007 @ 11:23 am
Jim,
No need to apologize. Idol is like eating a big mac, you know it’s bad for you, and you know that you will hate yourself later, but you just can’t help it.
The point I was making was that i have watched it but never voted, but now, I have a reason to vote. I know it’s a little punk rock, but, damn the man! Besides, there are plenty of other shows out there.
That being said, it is great for numbing your brain after a long day.
Evan Said,
April 5, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
I guess you have to believe that this is really a true democracy and the fans have all the weight. I for one don’t believe it is, Fox will step in behind the scenes for the integrity of the show. Just my .02 but i can certainly see the argument that some of the Fox’ers will want to let him win, think of the publicity, good and bad.
admin Said,
April 5, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
Ev,
Thanks for the comments.
Like I said before, either way, I think Ai has peaked. If they know whats good for them, they will call it off after this season. It’s only going to get worse and the vote for the worst campaign is only going to get bigger. However, I’m just as sure that they are going to let it run for at least 2 more seasons before they let it crawl off to the woods to die.
Happy Face Said,
April 6, 2007 @ 8:38 am
I love it! Sanjaya’s victory will end American Idol and the craziness it has created.