Why I'm a Fanjaya

[Alafair Burke]

OK, this has nothing to do whatsoever with mysteries unless of course you're one of those people baffled by the allegedly mysterious appeal of American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar. But since I mentioned on my CrimeSpace page that I'm an American Idol addict, more than a few people here have wanted my views. (Not suprising. Talking to other AI viewers is probably the best thing about watching AI.) Well, I admit it. I'm a fan of Sanjaya. And, no, not because I listen to Howard Stern or want to sabotage the show, but because he makes for such spectacular television. Despite what everyone says, he really doesn't have a bad voice. He's no KiKi or Mindy Doo, but I'll take his voice over Chris's anyday. And it's not because he's a great performer. It's because he's so lovably awkward. The overgrown bangs, the stringbean physique, his love of hula. I had altogether different problems as a youngster, but he still reminds me of what it's like to be a teenager. But, unlike most people stuck in those awkward years, Sanjaya doesn't seem to mind. He takes himself for whoever he happens to be on a given day and deals with it. When he embraced his inner dragqueen to sing Ain't No Mountain High Enough, it just about brought a tear to my eye. So go ahead, Sanjaya, you keept doing your thang, even when it involves a faux hawk reminiscent of My Little Pony, and I'll keep cheering for you.

[Alafair Burke]

Are you kidding? I love that monster.

[Tom Cain]

I would just like to apologise, on behalf of the British people, for our part in creating the monster that is Simon Cowell!

[Lesa Holstine]

Here in Glendale, AZ, we're cheering for Jordin. But, I did feel bad for Sanjaya last night when he cried. He is just a kid.

[Alafair Burke]

Blake's the beat box guy. And yes I like him too. Last year's people were much better, however.

[Steven Torres]

Well...If you insist. But he just doesn't have the vocals. Not a bad voice, but not a great one either. Better than me, but I don't sing at all. Not even the shower. Melinda and Lakisha have the best voices easily, but then I don't think either one is an IDOL. Meaning, they're not pop enough. Frankly, if it wasn't for those two, I'd say the competition this year was very weak - maybe the human beat-box...