Indian Idol 3 Episode 1 – Review

The show started off with the clippings from the previous seasons and intor to this years season by the hosts. Immediately the judges Anu Malik, Javed, Alisha and Udit were introduced. Funny Anu Malik asks one of the guys waiting for audition ” You know how am I isnt it?!” Hmm … The Delhi, Amritsar and Jammu auditions were covered this week. The first contestant was Shubhangi, 21. Anu Malik immediately Okayed her. However, Javed objected saying her pronunciation is lil weak and she sounds more western and the hindusthani touch is missing. Udit goes on to say the singing sounded artificial. Malik became sad that they missed a good voice and said Javed saab … Hadh kar di aapne.

Second in line is Prem Rajan from Kerala. Udit sang song in Malayalam (one of his Malayalam film songs). He sang Na Jaane Kabse (with some guitar) and later on Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye w/o the guitar as requested by Anu. Like always we need some suspense during the break. Malik said before the break that his voice was imperfect. Wonder how these REALITY SHOWS are being shot with the breaks as well in mind. So much for reality. After the break, Malik says his imperfect is perfect enough for Mumbai. Sigh.

Some interlude and we heard a young lad from Punjab saying in typical punjabi accent … mera voice hard rock voice hai and I will rock TO anyone … funny ! 

Next Amit Sharma. MA Music and all of 21. He sang Mitwa (KANK). Pretty good. Except for the pronunciation of the word Dhadkan. Our Malik became creative here. Claiming this never happened before in II. He asked Javed to write coupla lines and he will tune it and the contestant will need to sing. Jave saab wrote ” Kuch bhi kahiye … Magar yun na khamoshi se dil naa todiye” … Anu, Javed liked the rendering. Udit said “shabd main maturity hai “… whatever that means. Alisha said thoda sur hata magar pick up achi hai. 

Some clips of people acting like some beggars asking to be made Indian Idol. Bad taste.

I cant believe some people who dont deserve are put in front of the elite judges. Everyone shud know this. During the initial auditions held at various cities there is this first shortlist done by some Sony/BMG guys and only those who they think has the capability are given a chance to appear b4 the judges. Its indeed irritating to see such characters who pass the inital screening just in the name of ENTERTAINMENT. Hope Sony doesnt go too far else II3 will get Sanjayaed and Malakared. There was this guy who sand Tujhe dekha tho yeh jaana sanam. How pathetic. Huh … But likes what Udit said … Awaaz koi kela nahi jo mele ke thele main khareed sakte hai … LOL …

The we had Jaspreet whose inspiration were the unhappy security guards in his hostel who could not bear his singing all night and his friend who goaded him to dikha do security guards ko what he is made of … awww … need a break … less said the better …

Then the time of Ads being made part of the show … Fat lady walks into the audition room laughing like one mad cow … (Sony we know she is not a participant) and the ad below … what else … Hasso Tho Khul ke Haso from Colgate …

And this is a stretch … Mr. Samir walks in with abouquet, framed photograph of Alisha etc etc … and gets so emotional saying he waited for so many months to meet to Alisha. He said he was a fan since 85. And he didnt look OLD at all ?!  Anyways after the Happy Birthday drama he was not selected at all.

Most promising. Richa Aneja. What a kiddo. Young, innocent and extremely talented. Watch her and she is going to take the show by storm. MARK THESE WORDS. She sang a old song and Beedi Jalaile with great display of the range she has. Anu just stood up and gave the Yellow slip to Mumbai. Cute when she asked kaunsa gaana yaad karke aana padega …

Next Surudee … (apologies if the name is spelled wrong). She sang More Piya … thought she rushed things a little bit … lengthy discussions … and she cudnt make it to Mumbai …

Ram Rustagi sang Jhanak Jhanak Tore … Rejected …He walks off and comes back in asking for a second chance. Sings well and judges are surprised. They ask him are you the same Ram … And our Ram walks in … Guy who came in after Ram and sang was Shyam … his twin  brother … Ram’s feedback wasnt in sur … Shyam in Sur … and the questions … Sur main gaaya magar kyo nahi liya .. Hume kya pata Shyaam ! Golmaal hai bhai sab golmaal hai …

My thoughts … nothing new … except for the judges … looks like Javed and Anu have been asked to stage quite a few heated arguments … I am being optimistic here … hoping for better delivery of the program !

Note: Apologies for all TYPOS … grammatical erros … and errors and omissions … all done in a hurry !!! Are there any helping hands out there?! Leave me a comment.

“I have to tell you he really, really impressed me,” Jennifer Lopez on Sanjaya

Indian American teenage singer Sanjaya Malakar took another step towards the coveted ‘American Idol’ title as he made to the top five, to not too great a surprise of his growing legion of fans and critics alike. Malakar, who in the words of The Washington Post’s TV columnist has completely taken over the ‘American Idol’ singing competition, was among the five declared ’safe’ in Wednesday night’s results round that left seven in the fray. Even before he sang one note Tuesday night, Malakar, the focus of YouTube parodies and the site Votefortheworst.com, got a rave review from megastar Jennifer Lopez and then a rare if reluctant compliment from judge Simon Cowell. Sprouting Marc Anthonyesque facial hair in honour of J Lo’s appearance as guest ‘mentor’, he left her utterly smitten. “He chose a beautiful Spanish song and I have to tell you, he really impressed me!” J Lo gushed to the camera after rehearsing ‘Besame Mucho’ with Sanjaya. “I love Sanjaya!” she giggled, adding, “I think Simon might be impressed.” “I have to tell you he really, really impressed me,” said Lopez as his ballad, sung in Spanish, hushed the excited crowd.  “I couldn’t understand a word of it, you sang like a 14-year-old and – I’m going to hate myself for this – it wasn’t horrible,” judge Cowell, usually very harsh on Sanjaya’s singing aspirations, confessed. “You are one of the smartest contestants we’ve ever had,” a mesmerised Randy Jackson told Sanjaya. “Smooth. It was nice – very, very nice,” said Paula Abdul. As America watched transfixed by his singing and his hair in yet another news-making week, Malakar’s pastor and choir director in his Seattle hometown said, “I hope people know I’m so proud of this young man.” “He’s a perfect example of what our young people are made of these days,” added Pat Wright with a piece of advice for him, “My thing to Sanjaya is to take it all with a grain of salt and laugh all the way to the bank.” Malakar’s folks said they’re not surprised at how far he’s gone with cousin Camila Recchi saying, “He was comfortable, really outgoing, always a performer, bouncing off the walls, singing and dancing.” His aunt Christi Recchi said all the attention had not changed her nephew, and she had a message for the critics.”There are better ways to spend your time and energy [besides] bashing some 17-year-old kid who has been swept up in this whole thing.” Describing Malakar as “The one and only Sanjaya!” MTV’s Jim Cantiello said, “Oh, Sanjaya. Not since Culture Club’s prominence has an androgynous singer captured the hearts of young girls – and Jennifer Lopez – which is why I consider Sanjaya to be the Boy George of American Idol’,”

For more: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1090369

Simon has no words for Sanjaya

An interesting article I have come across.

………… It seemed like this was just a one-off comment from Simon. But then this week, Sanjaya ditched the faux-hawk for slicked back hair and a white suit to sing old-time ballad “Cheek to Cheek.” From his first note, he seemed off-key, but he gamely played his performance for all he was worth, even slow-dancing with Paula Abdul at the judges’ table.

After he sang, it seemed that none of the judges wanted to discuss his singing. Randy Jackson said “I can’t even comment on the vocals,” refusing to explain why, and went on to praise Sanjaya for turning into a performer. Paula Abdul at least attempted to address the song, saying “the vocals were a little off at the beginning,” but she, too, seemed at a loss for words and quickly retreated to thanking Sanjaya for dancing with her.

All eyes, now, were on Simon, and he seemed completely at a loss for words. “Let’s try a different tactic this week: INCREDIBLE!” he said. He left it up to the viewers to determine whether he meant “incredibly bad,” “incredible that you’re still in this contest,” or “I’m trying to make it sound like I’m praising you in hopes that reverse psychology will work its magic, here.”    ………………..

For more: http://testpattern.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/03/110885.aspx 

Who is Howard Stern

Howard Allan Stern (born January 12, 1954) is an American radio and TV personality, media mogul, humorist, actor, and author. Stern hosts The Howard Stern Show four days a week (Monday-Thursday) on Howard 100, a Sirius Satellite Radio station.

The self-proclaimed “King of All Media” (a humorous reference to Michael Jackson’s appellation “The King of Pop”) has been dubbed a shock jock for his highly controversial use of scatological, sexual and racial humor. Stern has said that the show was never about shocking people, but primarily intended to offer his honest opinions on a gamut of issues (ranging from world affairs to problems among his own staff). Though controversial, he is one of the highest-paid radio personalities in the United States and the most fined personality in radio broadcast history.

He is best known for his national radio show, which for many years was syndicated on FM radio stations (and a few AM stations) throughout the United States until his last terrestrial radio broadcast on December 16, 2005. He began broadcasting on the subscription-based Sirius satellite radio service on January 9, 2006.

In addition to radio, Stern has ventured into publishing, television, feature films, and music. He has written two books, Private Parts, which he adapted into a film, and Miss America. Stern’s television endeavors include a variety show on New York City’s WWOR-TV, a nightly E! show documenting his radio broadcasts, a similar CBS program that competed with Saturday Night Live for a time, “Howard On-Demand” for digital cable subscribers in various markets, and Son of the Beach, a parody of Baywatch for FX which Stern executive produced.

In 2006, Howard Stern was elected into Time Magazine’s “Time 100: The People who shape our world”  and was ranked #7 in Forbes Magazine’s 2006 annual Celebrity 100. On February 13, 2007, Stern became engaged to his long-time girlfriend, model Beth Ostrosky.

Ms J Breaks Her Hunger Strike

The 16 day old hunder strike of Ms J, the MySpacer, has ended. She earlier vowed to go on hunger strike until Sanjaya was eliminated from the Amerian Idol. 16 days, a few pounds less and a little more sense, she urged others to end the strike as well and get back to voting anyone other than Sanjaya. Anyone listening?!

Winjaya Malakar

Its that time of the week again when the Idols come back with thier performances. After the last weeks bizzare hair setting it will be interesting to watch what Sanjaya comes up with this week. With nothing that he can do with his singing talent and everything to do with the controversy that he is bringing to the show its definitely worth a watch what this week will bring. If he goes on to eventually win the competition it might be curtains down for American Idol. Simon and gang might be cursing themselves for having brought Sanjaya this far hoping he would be of some entertainment value. And boy he has been one.  

Sanjaya Powers On … Hunger Strike Still On … American Idol Update

Looks like Ms J is resolute and in her 9th day of fasting. And so is Sanjaya.  I have had a chance to see the delayed telecast of the gala round of American Idol this evening. Definitely agree with Simons comments on Sanjaya … that the crowds are loving him and whatever he says or does will not mean anything … This week did not see any new conspiracy theories coming up as to why Sanjaya will continue to stay … Once the eliminations are over and IF Sanjaya continues … it will be interesting to see what other theories come into picture … Ms. J … I shall pray for you … And one good advice … do a fast for some other noble deed … this aint good enough …