Bye Bye Sayonara Sanjaya! - Los Angeles Times

"Let's give 'em something to talk about, indeed.



Sanjaya Malakar -- and his many, many hairstyles -- were sent packing from 'American Idol' Wednesday night, capping a wild run fueled in part by shrieking young girls who just couldn't get enough of that silky mane, and an evil-minded Howard Stern who was bent on destroying a national phenomenon."

YouTube - Howard Stern / shock jocks helping Sanjaya stay on the show

"Finally, a pretense for writing about American Idol. O'Reilly had on a lawyer who argued that Fox may have had a cause of action against Howard Stern and VoteForTheWorse.com, because they suggest that people vote for Sanjaya precisely because he is bad. Stern allegedly is doing so to undermine Idol's credibility. (pause). So the lawyer argues that Fox can use Stern for, I don't know, I think she said 'intentional interference with malicious intent.' She also sugested that the jilted contestants might have an action for Stern for, I don't know, contributory unjust enrichment, because Sanjaya received the spot that was rightfully their's."

Sanjaya's secrets? Conspiracy, kids, confusion, and a love for William Hung? MSNBC.com

The phone rang, loud. I could tell from my editor’s tough tone that something big was afoot.

What’s going on with that kid, he asked. The one with the hair. What’s the real story? Is someone gonna end up in the slammer? The boss didn’t have to drop any more clues.

He was talking about Sanjaya.

Sanjaya is Gay? Stuff.co.nz

"American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar is, by all accounts, not the most talented performer on the show.
But research firm Nielsen BuzzMetrics says the blogosphere has played a large part in making him the most visible.
According to a BuzzMetrics report, Sanjaya - now referred to by only his first name on many sites - has seen blog references increase 338 per cent from February 18, when he first reached critical mass, to April 8.
Reality TV Magazine is the top blog in Sanjaya traffic, with 40 other blogs linking to its posts on the subject from January 1-April 8.
Many blog conversations about Sanjaya in late March center on the fact that he 'lacks talent' and doesn't deserve to win. Conversations also focus on Howard Stern and VoteForTheWorst.com, two sources that encourage people to skew the votes, suggesting that both have played a large part in keeping him on the air. "

Secret of Sanjaya's survival?

"Everyone is puzzled as to why India-American contestant Sanjaya Malakar has stayed this long on American Idol since he can't carry a tune in a bucket except that one time when he gave a rendition of Jennifer Lopez' Besasme mucho.

Sanjaya's rendition had Lopez gushing and judge Simon Cowell choking on his acid tongue while he had to admit that he had done a good job."

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. "

American Idol Recap: Haley out, Sanjay in. 7 to go

"Haley Scarnato, the long-legged pop-singing specialist from San Antonio, got the ax Wednesday night on “American Idol.”

Sanjaya Malakar, the maligned I’m-a-lover-not-a-fighter ballad specialist from Federal Way, Washington, moves on with full momentum."