Welcome back to "AI Aftermath," where we explore Idol's past. Each week, as one more American Idol hopeful is eliminated from the competition, we take a look back at contestants past who were eliminated in the same week. We'll examine how they did on the show and what they've been up to since their eliminations. In honor of Kristy Lee Cook's elimination last week we'll be looking at other seventh place finishers.
This week: 7th place finishers, featuring featuring Ryan Starr (Season One), Kimberly Caldwell (Season Two), Jennifer Hudson (Season Three), Anwar Robinson (Season Four), Ace Young (Season Five) and Sanjaya Malakar (Season Six).
I know this is going back to last year's American Idol, but in a recent radio interview, runner-up Blake Lewis blasted Sanjaya Malakar, saying the singer more famous for his hair than his voice should have never been on the show. In fact, he went on to say, "He had already gotten cut. [The judges were] like, 'You suck. You shouldn't be on the show. Then the producer [Nigel Lythgoe] put him back on." In fact, Lewis said he only made it to Hollywood because his sister did; Shyamali Malakar got cut there. If this is true, does this speak to the integrity of the selection process? I realize it's a reality show as well as a competition so personalities are cast as well as talent, but wouldn't you still want the best singers represented? I guess not.
Every year there is criticism when certain contestants advance ahead of others, but as far as I can tell this is the first time a former contestant has come out and said much the same. "I got pissed every week because my buddies that are super-talented are going home and he's [still there]," he said about Sanjaya's improbable run to seventh place. Of course, once they hit the stage it's our choice, and our fault, how long they stay. But are the showrunners intentionally putting in sub-par performers to try and drum up press and controversy like they had last year with Sanjaya?
If you're scratching your head and asking "Sanjaya Who?" then you probably don't own a TV, or a computer for that matter. For two months, Sanjaya-hysteria ruled our television airwaves (sometimes three times a week). Thanks to a little show called American Idol, Sanjaya became one of the breakout reality TV stars of 2007.
Like many breakout reality TV stars, Sanjaya Malakar was able to successfully steal the spotlight from his more worthy opponents, gliding by on personality and charisma. He's living proof that a winning grin and luscious locks can sometimes take you a lot farther than actual talent.
Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.
Today on TV Squad Daily:
Bill Rancic (the original Apprentice winner) got married this past weekend to an E! News anchor.
Fox will be bringing us a new reality program. It's like Smile You're on Candid Camera only probably without the smiling, since people are getting arrested.
Sanjaya's family is putting their house up for sale and "going Hollywood" which seems like a really really bad idea.
Weeks ago, Simon declared that he'd quit if Sanjaya won American Idol. But now that Sanjaya is gone, it looks like even Simon has a soft spot for this season's most controversial contestant.
Simon reportedly said, "I do miss Sanjaya in a way. Even though I had problems with his vocals, I always looked forward to him coming on each week. I never knew what he'd wear or what he'd do."
I have to agree with Simon. I never cared for the kid's singing. But he did give us "something to talk about." And without controversy, isn't Idol just Star Search with phenomenal ratings?
Phil gave one of his best performances during last week's country week. But other than that, his singing has been consistently uneven. He's also hampered by his pale looks, and is often compared to Nosferatu or Bat Boy. Phil, no stranger to the bottom three, might just hang on a bit longer with VFTW's support.
Simon Cowell's London home was ransacked, with thieves making off with jewelry, silver, and electronic equipment. Simon left his house keys with building contractors who were working on his home, which the police called "unwise." Apparently, someone copied the keys and gained access to the house.
(S06E31) Tonight's episode starts with Simon Cowell setting the record straight about that unfortunate eyerolling V-Tech incident from last night. A sincere and apologetic Simon says, "I may not be the nicest person in the world, but I would never ever ever disrespect those families or those victims."
And then, to verify that Simon was talking to Paula about Chris' nasally singing and didn't hear what Chris said, they show us footage we didn't see on air last night. And the defense rests their case in the courtroom of public opinion. Ryan echoes what I said in my post earlier, that there would be less confusion, if Simon chatted less, and listened more during the show.
But enough about all that unpleasant business. Is Sanjaya going home or what?
Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.
Today on TV Squad Daily:
It's country night tonight on American Idol! And as if you needed another reason to watch, check out the commercials directed by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet.
Who is Olivia Mojica and why is she the focus of this week's American Idol scandal? Apparently, the Season Two contestant made a very lewd sex tape with her boyfriend and it's about to surface, courtesy of Vivid Entertainment. TMZ, of course, has the exclusive first look. Until this scandalous announcement, few of us remembered Olivia. Hopefully, a week from now, she will go back to being a footnote in Idol's history.
Sanjaya Malakar might not be American Idol's best vocalist -- but he is the one receiving all the press. He is also fodder for countless parodies (including this one with bunnies and Bob Dylan), and has caused desperate people to embark on ridiculous hunger strikes .
Sanjaya's aunt, Christi Recchi, recently defended him against his critics, saying, "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."
Ryan Seacrest recently told People magazine that he thinks Jordin Sparks could be the next American Idol. Why does Ryan like Jordin? Because, "She's a great singer and a pretty girl, she's non-threatening, cute and attractive. Plus, she has this sincere likability that is rare and genuine."
Considering that 17-year-old Jordin towers over Ryan, I find it amusing that he finds her "non-threatening." He always looks so uncomfortably short standing next to her on stage. Perhaps, he is a *bigger* man than I give him credit for.
I know this is going back to last year's 
If you're scratching your head and asking "Sanjaya Who?" then you probably don't own a TV, or a computer for that matter. For two months, Sanjaya-hysteria ruled our television airwaves (sometimes three times a week). Thanks to a little show called 
Weeks ago, Simon declared that 
Vote for the Worst 
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(S06E31) Tonight's episode starts with Simon Cowell setting the record straight about that 
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Sanjaya Malakar might not be American Idol's best vocalist -- but he is the one receiving all the press. He is also fodder for countless 
Ryan Seacrest 
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