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.”
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First, MC Kabir. The son of Nobel winner Amartya Sen, Kabir is half Italian and lives in Boston. He’s got good flow, an apropos namesake and a solid track in ‘Recognize.’ Kabir tells a great story on screen about freestyling in a dark club and pushing off an overzealous fan who was trying to grab the mike. ‘When I looked closer, I realized it was Wyclef.’ And they jammed. It’s hard to tell the story while looking humble; his lips twitched, but he had it sorted. Listen here.
Also give a listen to the Himalayan Project. Chee Malabar, who showed up to the screening, sported a gaunt frenchie and a serious ‘fro, looking for all the world like a brown Dogg.
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