Sanjaya W. Bush
By Keith Boykin, in pop culture
Thursday, April 5 2007, 10:57AM
America watched in horror again this week as the man they once loved continued to embarrass himself on an international stage. With no rhythm and no timing, he tried to dance his way out of trouble to persuade voters to give him one more chance. And at the end of the week, he was still in the competition and still embarrassing us on national television.
Of course I'm talking about George W. Bush, not Sanjaya Malakar. The young pop idol survived another round of voting last night on America's most popular television show. And, although Bush managed to survive another week in office without impeachment, it's pretty clear he wouldn't have won enough votes to stay in office if the public was voting for president instead of American Idol on Tuesday.
Are George Bush and Sanjaya Malakar the Same?
What does it say about our country that the two people who inspire the most passion and debate are the President of the United States and the worst singer on American Idol? Some have suggested that it's an elaborate conspiracy.
Rev. Reynard N. Blake, Jr., writing in this week's Black Agenda Report, seems to argue that the whole thing is a plot hatched by Fox television executives to make Bush more acceptable to the public.
"The Idol voting public is fickle; it values style over substance," writes Blake. So far, so good, but so what? That's what pop music is all about, and there is some substance in there too. After all, the top three vote recipients on Idol last night (LaKisha, Melinda and Jordin) were the three best singers the night before.
But "the best people or ideas don't win," Blake complains. "This mimics the electoral voting public; it is fickle. It appreciates style over substance. Empty terms such as 'Bring ‘em on' or testicle-grabbing international foreign policy is sexy and is desired," he writes. That's true too. But the poll numbers for the past two years indicate the American people are fed up with the macho posturing. George Bush couldn't win an election for dog catcher, much less American Idol or President of the United States.
Blake, however, disputes the poll numbers. "This is a lie," he writes, "because if America truly did not support his policies it would impeach him and remove him and most of his administration NOW! The American voting public is exactly like the Idol voters; both enjoy poor performance or mock good performance. Bush is Malakar and Malakar is Bush."
Exit Stage Left
Blake makes some good points. Bush and Sanjaya both represent style over substance. Cartoonists and comedians have lampooned the two public figures by morphing Sanjaya into Bush. And the survival of the two men seems to support the notion that limited talent is no obstacle to success. As Boston Herald reporter Tenley Woodman writes, "Let’s face it: Long before [Sanjaya] came along, there was no shortage of embarrassing success stories. Woodman cites Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Heather Mills and George W. Bush as examples.
But I also think there's something else going on here. The fact that we even have to have a conversation about Sanjaya in order to talk about Bush reflects a disturbing trend in American culture. If I write an article about George W. Bush and politics, no one comments. If I write about Sanjaya and American Idol, dozens of people comment. So I figure if I write about both of them we may end up somewhere in the middle.
As much as I criticize the media for dumbing down American culture, I also understand the media are driven by consumer demand. We may not like Bush or Sanjaya, but we pay attention to Sanjaya even if we don't pay attention to George Bush. Assuming he doesn't win the show, Sanjaya will be history after the summer. Bush, on the other hand, will still have the power to start unnecessary wars and stop relief trucks from rescuing hurricane victims.
Dozens of blogs are popping up everyday to stop Sanjaya, as though he is some kind of threat to American values about hard work and success. He's not. He's just a kid who is riding his 15 minutes of fame and not hurting anybody in the process.
I wish I could say the same about George Bush.
Comments conceal
Luther
April 5 2007, 11:09AM
Keith, I love and respect you like a play cousin, but, I would rather listen to Bush blabbering on like the moron he is than look and that Sanjaya, who will end up having my favorites kicked off, Lakisha, Melinda, and that hot white boy Blake. AI is no longer fun or a release from everyday life, its just bad drama.
The nightmare of GW Bush is almost over, and thank God Pelosi is strong enough to make him look like the fool he is to these so called "American people" who still don't seem to see what the rest of the world does he is an incompotent nitwit, now for someone to do it with AI.
Jon C
April 5 2007, 11:52AM
Keith:
I agree with you that many of us are uninterested or unwilling to critically think or take action to resist the issues that are important in our daily lives. Whereas many of us are energized by titillating yet unimportant stories about celebrities. It makes me think about Audre Lorde's "Your silence won't protect you," sentiments in Sister Outsider. It takes courage to stick your neck out there and voice your opinion about important issues. I believe we are afraid that if we speak out we risk being silenced and punished.
Kenneth Winfrey
April 5 2007, 1:13PM
Keith, dayum, you just shot three ducks with one arrow:
1. The unenlightened media consumer base.
2. The ridiculousness of those who can rise to fame and power in America.
3. The tolerance we have to keep elevating those who either do not have much to offer, or are actually causing us harm.
I love the way you wove all of that together! ;0)
CHARLES
April 5 2007, 4:31PM
I'm really pulling for Sanjaya. I hope he wins the whole thing. Then perhaps people will begin to seek out their own favorite artist instead of lining up like sheep behind these people who have been hand picked by a chubby producer, a drug addict, a snooty Brit, and Middle America(yuck!)
Mark
April 5 2007, 8:28PM
I think one thing to remember and this falls in line with Charles comment above, is that we all don't like the same thing. Every one that reports or blogs about Sanjaya thinks ALL OF AMERICA thinks he can't sing. Who made you experts???? I hope this kid wins against all the other talent on the show. He is doing something right to make it this far. He is cute, young and his own person, meaning he does crazy out of the norm stuff. And whether it's because of the shallow way America is, or just wanting the "underdog" to win, I think and hope that he walks away with the title of AMERICAN IDOL. Even if he doesn't, trust me when I tell you we will hear from this young man again.
flintstone
April 5 2007, 8:29PM
Why is everyone hating on Sanjaya?? He is a much better singer than Haley.
Mike San Diego
April 5 2007, 8:32PM
Here I go again! I just never knew Sanjaya Malakar was that important that everyone on Earth is talking about him instead of the truly important issues in life. I have never watched an episode of Idol. So I will not knock it for all of you who love it. I just think this entire thing with that cute Sanjaya Malakar surviving is the same thing they did with Janet's Tittie! I'm sorry can I say Tittie on here? Well Her breast. America put more attention on one tittie for months. Janet's Tittie was more important than the men and women that were serving this country. The homeless. Health benifits. AIDS. Mr Bush had to be happy about that. We hate him but we sometimes act like that crazy pup we had as children. We act like were throwing something just to see the pup go running and looking. Try that with the same pup turned Dog and you might get bit on the ass. People it is time to bite Mr. Bush on the ASS and stop looking for shit that "aint" there!
Kola Boof
April 5 2007, 9:25PM
I really like Sanyaya...I've voted for him a few times. I also LOVED how Lakeesha is coming more alive and trying to set herself apart, she's been great for 2 weeks. BUT, if I were a "record executive" looking for a new superstar to break in...I'd pick BLAKE from this group. I'd also give Gina a contract, because she has everything it takes to be a new Pat Benatar. I love Melinda's performances, but I honestly don't believe she's "Sell-able"/marketable (ditto Lakeesha). The best voice in the world doesn't stump star quality (Fantasia), sex appeal (Carrie Underwood) or WHITENESS (Kelly Clarkson). People who hate Fantasia still don't realize that #1--there's no one else who sounds like her (TONS of women sound like Trenyce/Jennifer Hudson/LaToya/)...and TASIA has a very unique charisma (though most black youth thinks she's ugly--but then so were Streisand and Bette Midler). There's so much POLITICS to consider when trying to be a "STAR". I think BLAKE, though he's "short" could make it big time.
The Captain
April 5 2007, 10:54PM
You guys always putting down President Bush. He is human, not perfect and can't please everyone.
Personally, I think he is doing well under pressure and doing a good job for the American people.
Chris
April 6 2007, 9:10AM
OMIGOD, Kola Boof, bin Laden's concubine, both reads Keith Boykin's website AND watches American Idol! LOL! The internet is an amazing place.
C. Baptiste-Williams
April 6 2007, 9:32AM
I hate American Idol and haven't watched a full season since JHud was on. But yet every week I get Sanjalini's number and vote for him. The show is ridiculous, they cast away people with great talent to make the show interesting. The credibility of the show and the judges must pay for putting that and other no talent fools through when so many others that were deserving were sent home.
Maybe next season they will get it right.
Andy
April 6 2007, 10:15AM
I'm still lost, one, cute? Sanjaya? Children please, that isn't "cute," average at best. Two? Why haven't they started to impeach Bush? Maybe a call in vote could spur the Congress on, since more people are concerned about a no singing boy and have no clue about real isues that affect this country.
PaigeTurner
April 6 2007, 10:39AM
I'm stunned that Kola would go anywhere near American Idol. That she can name constestants throughout its six year run is all the more shocking.
Kola Boof
April 6 2007, 8:32PM
Hey Chris...I'm a friend of Keith Boykin. You can't be a real "celebrity" unless you know Keith (Haha!).....Why are you stunned Paige?? Who doesn't enjoy talent contests and good singing?----and also, AI is about the only show on t.v. where I can see "authentic" dark skinned Africoid Black women presented with any regularity. Where else on t.v. will I see respectable images of women who look like VONZELL, Trenyce, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Lakeesha and the little girl Paris???????? I'm really quite boring. I have two sons, I cook and clean all day, I write my books at night. My autobiography "Diary of a Lost Girl" is still going strong, but I have "VIRGINS IN THE BEEHIVE", a hot sexy opus about a black girl group coming up for christmas. I LOVE Fantasia's two CD's and I'm waiting for Jennifer Hudson to come out. "DREAMGIRLS" was the bomb!
GQ
April 11 2007, 3:09AM
Interesting analysis Keith! But it's still apples and oranges. RE:Sanjaya and Bush. In Sanjaya's case, some people think he's cute, fly and/or original. I would vote for him to teach the AI judeges and producers a lesson for putting him on the first round finals. We need a jester on the show and Sanjaya is perfect. For Bush, he has his supporters, confused voters and especially the apathetic ones; the ones who whine all the time but never do anything to change things ( IE: NOT VOTING against him). It's funny that some of those non-voters make a big "soap box" deal out of it that they try to convince me not to vote because it's meaningless and a waste of time. All they are doing is wasting their personal energy and my time in the process. BUT HEY if people want to continue to pay for Bush's mistakes (higher oil prices, less personal disposible income, increase soldier and life casualties), BE MY GUEST! Because Bush is not perfect. RIGHT, The CAPTAIN??
TLC82
April 24 2007, 9:49AM
Wow. Doesnt look like most people paid attention to the point here. I see lots of comments STILL rambling on and on about AI. Where are the truely socially aware? Not the ones that think knowing AI back and forth and "Inside Edition". But those that know the front page of their local news' headline, and their local rep. in senate. Im still learning, but im learning and not just exisiting. Yeah maybe im too serious. But it makes me truly aware and not...well, missing the point and talking about AI...STILL!
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