I haven’t caught every episode of Fox’s immensely popular “American
Idol” over the past three years, but I’ve watched quite a few. During
that time, I have not seen a single South Asian contestant on the program. Thankfully,
that barrier came crashing down last night with a cataclysmic thud.
For those who haven’t seen it, the show is essentially a massive singing audition, where round after round, contestants are judged by the following criteria: Their ability to carry a tune, espouse plasticity befitting a manufactured pop star, and a complete willingness to kill off any part of their soul that wanted to be a real artist. The first half of the contest is judged by the show’s three stewards, and the latter rounds are voted on by viewers (mostly teenaged girls with cell phones). The winner receives a record contract.
First up was accountant Sundeep Achreja, who is admired at his office because
he dressed as a “pimp” (or “punk” — his co-worker
really couldn’t get her story straight) for Halloween. His height initially
impressed judge Paula Abdul. His rendition of Survivor’s “Eye of
the Tiger,” replete with Rocky-esque jogging, did not.
Later
in the show, a male with the last name of Mendes (the announcer butchered
his first name) performed a song that probably doesn’t really exist. The
performance was so hard to decipher, that he earned inclusion on a segment entitled “The
Incomprhensibles.”
Finally, there was some good news…sort of. During a montage of various contestants celebrating invitations to the next round in Hollywood, Calif., one of the jubilant singers appeared to be of South Asian descent. Unfortunately, the show did not broadcast his audition or offer a name, so the only thing I’m going on is a brief clip. I suppose we’ll know for sure in the coming weeks.
“American Idol” airs again tonight on Fox at 8 p.m. If you have a dish that carries Sony Entertainment Television, you can watch the Indian version, entitled, yep, “Indian Idol.”
Indian Idol is sort of like selling snow to eskimos. Sonu Nigam hosted Antakshari, based on the the desi singing game and wedding custom, well before Indian Idol.
I did like the Indian version of The Weakest Link because it featured the inimitable Big B, because it asked all kinds Vedic trivia that you’d never see on the American version, and because my cousin appeared on it and won some serious rupees, y’all 🙂 That’s one tape that gets played endlessly at family parties.
Sundeep’s singing style really impressed FOX Sports. They kept playing his try out during the Eagles-Falcons game. When I recognized the name as a South Asian man, I was on the ground laughing.
He is tall.
Manish….dude I dont know how long you have been away from India or if you have ever been to India. but ur knowledge of Indian shows really does suck…
First of all…Sonu Nigam never ever hosted Antakshari…he hosted a singing challenge progam called ‘Sa re ga ma’ which is still running and now hosted by singer Shaan. Antakshari has been hosted by Annu Kapoor for the last 10 years!
Also Amitabh Bachchan hosted the show ‘Kaun Banega Karodpati’ which is Indias version of ‘Who wants to be a millionaire’ and not ‘The Weakest Link’ as you mention. The Indian version of Weakest Link was called ‘Kamzor Kadi Kaun’ and had Neena Gupta as the host and it bombed in India.
What CFC said about the show names. As you can tell, I rarely watch TV… Sa Re Ga Ma is my mom’s favorite.
Now, now. I know it’s difficult, but try actually reading the blog.
Hey Manish…
sorry if I sounded rude…dint mean to. Was just having a tough morning at work.
I think I will read the blog now…its looks pretty interesting…
-Not so compulsive anymore….