WCFcourier.com | Some say the vote-fiddling Sanjaya has inspired could be fatal to 'Idol'

"Can a vocally challenged 17-year-old string bean with a smile brighter than the xenon headlights on Ludacris' Lexus bring down America's pop-culture behemoth?

Backed by organized efforts to distort the voting --- most notably a campaign by satellite radio star Howard Stern --- and generating an unprecedented public fascination, Sanjaya Malakar has become the focal point of this season's "American Idol."

And, according to one media analyst who has done extensive research on the show, that's not good.

"It's already starting to cause trouble," says Stacey Lynn Schulman, who has examined how "Idol" connects with its fans. "People gravitated toward the show because it was a true contest, providing real people with real talent with real opportunity. Sanjaya degrades that. ..."




Will Sanjaya Malakar have a KFC Famous Bowl Cut?

"As we anxiously await the 8 PM EST start time for American Idol, people are wondering if Sanjaya will take KFC up on their offer and sport the bowl cut this evening. Sanjaya seems to change his hairstyle every week. Last week he chose a straight, slicked back look and the week prior he sported a crazy mohawk.

In an open letter to Sanjaya Malakar, KFC president, Greg Dedrick offered the Idol contestant a free lifetime supply of KFC Famous Bowls and a charitable donation in his name. Plus, $5000 in cash and his very own starring role in the next KFC Famous Bowl advertisement. "