American Idol’s Sanjaya Malakar — Not anyone’s gift to vocals that’s for sure — has got to go. Actually I can’t believe that we are watching this show, never have before for some reason, most likely because we thought that it was just “another reality show” — but it’s not. This one has real, not fake, drama. And there are some pretty spectacular moments, too.

Like for instance this one as commented on by the Anchoress a while ago in a post titled Melinda Doolittle Made Me Cry.

Melinda Doolittle knocked me out last week and this week, she sang My Funny Valentine with such art and passion – and with real style – that she actually made me weep. And when she dipped into her lower register, she reminded me a little of my beloved Miss Ella Fitzgerald.

You got that right, lady. Melinda Doolittle is one of the top two as far as we are concerned, along with Lakisha Jones, a big woman with a huge voice, and as shown last night, super-tight control of that powerful instrument! Then there are the youngins, Stephanie Edwards and Jordin Sparks, neither of which I would bet on this year, but next time or in a couple — watch out!

The guys? Lame! But once again, who knows. They are on the Big Stage now and last night 4 or 5 forgot some words — bad! — so the pressure is really on.

Dean Barnett gets right to the heart of why American Idol is such entertaining television:

On American Idol, we really are watching a poor young mother with a three year old daughter change her life because she has a brilliant singing voice. We really are seeing a painfully shy back-up singer become a superstar because she has more talent than she ever knew. (Yes, we’re also seeing some deluded arrogant wannabes, but you know me – I prefer to focus on the uplift.) As a fiction writer, you wouldn’t dare create such obvious and sentimental characters. And therein lies American Idol’s magic. It’s real. And inspiring.

Many lament the demise of the common experience that used to provide water-cooler conversation all across the land. It’s not all gone — there’s American Idol.

Now, will America have finally done it’s duty and given Sanjaya the boot? In about an hour and a half the SoCal wife and I’ll find out. It’s on the net already . . . but I’ll wait. (db)

Technorati Tags: American Idol, Sanjaya Malakar, Melinda Doolittle, Lakisha Jones, Stephanie Edwards, Jordin Sparks

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