Does the dweeb merit the mirth?

It is ironic that while American Idol finalists slave away to impress less-than-friendly judges and ink record deals, our own Ricky Martin is banging his way to the top of the charts. His new CD Inspiration was released earlier this week. According to MTV.com, 'this Idol reject William Hung tops the new releases this week.' Not bad for what was supposed to be 15 minutes of fame.

But with fame comes criticism. Some people think that Hung is hurting the image of Asian-American males. According to the San Jose Mercury News, Asian-American studies professor Darrell Hamamoto says Hung is a Chinese caricature created by the media. 'He's a joke ... He feeds into it'. Professor Hamamoto is credited with filming a porn movie with Asian-Americans in lead roles in an effort to change the US stereotype of Asian-American men as sexually passive. And Hung is just that. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the 21-year-old admits he's still a virgin. 'It all depends on meeting the right person, but I would prefer to get married before engaging in sexual activities.' Neither does he drink, smoke or swear. Well that makes him a total dweeb by American standards - but super-traditional by Hong Kong standards.