"Idol" Finalist Sanjaya Safe Again!

(CBS)  "American Idol" fans learned Wednesday that finalist Sanjaya Malakar, easily the least vocally talented singer on the show, would be staying for one more week.

After Tuesday's performance of The Kinks' "You Really Got Me," Malakar was popular enough to not be one of the two finalists this week with the lowest amount of votes.

Stephanie Edwards, a Beyoncé sound-alike with a much better voice than Malakar, was sent home.

Why hasn't Malakar — an amiable teen with shiny, bouncy hair — been voted off the show?

One of the reasons just may be the renegade Web site VoteForTheWorst.com.

"Our Web site actually encouraged people to vote for Sanjaya," VoteForTheWorst.com's Dave Della Terza tells The Showbuzz. "We tell everyone to vote for the worst person, because we want to keep that person around to try to mess up 'American Idol,' because we say it's more of a reality TV show than a talent competition. Obviously our votes made a difference."

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Podcast: Vote For The Worst's Dave Della Terza

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How did Malakar, a 17-year-old from Federal Way, Wash., become the Vote For The Worst "favorite"?

"We picked Sanjaya because at first we were voting for Antonella (Barba) and then she ended up leaving," said Della Terza. "So we said, 'everyone hates Sanjaya, he's gonna need some help. He was doing OK in the votes, but all of a sudden he's fallen down and no one seems to be voting for him anymore because everyone's getting sick of him being there. He's always in the bottom two, he's almost always going home, let's get him some more support to make sure he doesn't go home.' Obviously our support made a little bit of a difference."

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Photos: Meet The "American Idol" Finalists

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Malakar does have his own fan base, admits Della Terza.

Like teen idols from David Cassidy to Menudo, Malakar and his wavy locks appeal to the Barbie doll crowd.

On Tuesday night's show, a 13-year-old audience member named Ashley Ferl was moved to tears by Malakar's performance — in a good way. Later, encouraged by host Ryan Seacrest, Malakar walked into the audience to give her a hug.

"A lot of people say Vote For The Worst is the only reason Sanjaya is still around. That's obviously not true," Della Terza said. "We just help the fan base. The two groups working together is what's helping him stay on the show. It's obviously not one or the other, but when you add them together it helps him stick around."

There are, however, other forces on the Internet working against the wishes of Della Terza's Web site and Malakar's teeny groupies.

A young woman known simply as "J" has gone on a hunger strike which she vows to keep up until Malakar is either "voted off, producers rescind his spot in the Top 12, or he graciously steps down from his position."

She's set up a MySpace page where she has been blogging her daily progress – four days and counting – and has invited others to join her in her cause.

It looks like she'll be skipping meals for at least one more week.
By Judy Faber

[jvman4u]

CUTE is a "relative term" it dosen't work for me, I've tuned in for real talent, showmanship, entertainment... this kid, is creepy, lacks talent and needs to go back to school for a trade, so that he can become an adult, and make his way in the normal world, where you have to work and pay bills... maybe that'll be a smarter path for him to persue... stop voting for him, and concentrate on selecting the best, as SIMON says, this is a singing contest, the best performer is what they are looking for... You would thing after a TAYLOR HICKS get to the top, it couldn't get WORSE, well it has..... I'm about to abandon watching it all together...

[stormynite12]

I'm amazed that Sanjaya is still among the good singers. I do have to say that he was better this week but he is in a league of his own. I really do feel sorry for the boy with all the votes he recieves he is beginning to believe that he is good. He is going to be so hurt when the day comes that we wake up and realize this a show for singing and not being cute.This is going to crush him and thats sad also. please lets do the right thing and let the good singers have a chance.

[kevzgrl]

The boy CAN'T sing!!! Yeah, he's kinda cute, but he has no talent - why did his sister get kicked off and he stayed - she could sing a lot better than he can, and she wasn't all that good...
I watched the first season, and when Justin Guarini didn't win, I have never turned it on again - Kelly was good but he was better. It's all about "who is prettier" and "what color is their skin" and "which one will promote the most controversy and get more people talking about the show" rather than it is "Who is the most talented"
The judges are a joke - it is a popularity contest so why even have them on there? Just to whip up MORE controversy, of course - does Simon really hate Paula, Could Randy get any more laid-back, is Ryan really gay??? WHO THE H*** REALLY CARES?????

[hypnotoad72]

He looks cute. That's all people care about. Talent is nothing. Getting one's jollies off an overpriced image is.

Mama Cass would have been spat on if she tried out for this shallow little show too.

I'd rather know what happens to the GOOD singers. Like Nadia Turner; she had something unique - unlike all the cardboard cutout competitors that sound all the same, just like the usual assortment brought out each and every year.

I am compelled to agree re: the race comment; reverse discrimination or otherwise, using race in this manner is wrong - period. It renders the concept of 'affirmative action' worthless. Since it's FOX and they hate affirmative action, maybe they have a hidden motive - one I for once won't argue against, it seems... besides, I'd love to see a token American on "Indian Idol" and have all the yanks make their long distance calls at 2AM or whenever...

[neil2007neil]

Come on!! This is all TV show. It is all about an entrainment and making publicity and money. American Idol had been making jokes & acting funny to attract public- to make money. Sanjaya is going to make money no matter whether he looses and goes home. Howard Stern is making money form his radio programs. Votefortheworst.com in also in a business of making money.

Why are you worried? Why are you obsessed that he/she is right and he/she should win? Let public decide that who is right and wrong. Brainwashing is not going to work or affect people opinions anymore. Do not buy albums if you do not like that person- whosoever wins or stays on top!!!! I think those who wish to give nasty/negative comments or those who wish support senseless hunger strike are truly crazy people with low self-esteem and lack of sportsman spirit! Probably their hunger strike is also meant to get their own publicity!! They will have not guts to die for such stupid reasons! Again, it is all entertainment!!!

[retmilspouse]

My husband and I have not watched AI since the season where Latoya London was kicked off the show. But I am interested again this year because I see the same thing happening again. Good people are being voted off and the likes of Sanjaya are staying on week after week. I want to see someone who is capable of being a real star come out of one of these seasons of AI. Not like Fantasia and some of the others who have won.

[ajaxrose1]

MIpapaof4: Looks like you got as much to do as anybody on here! LOL! Don't like it, don't watch it. Don't like this, don't read this. Simple.

[neil2007neil]

I had no interest to watch this show but this controversy developed my interest. It is free society and let people feel and act they wish without criticizing or becoming harsh. Why people have to be jealous or angry?

I am pasting the best post (in front of this message board) from a good hearted and true American and hero as below! He said enough in right direction.


Posted by ajaxrose1 at 05:05 PM : Mar 21, 2007

Sanjaya is a precious, precious young man. No, he isn't the best one on the show, but no matter what, every one of these "idols" will have fans. He obviously has some and you better believe some record producer somewhere will want to cash in on that fact. At that time if people don't like his efforts then they can do the same thing they have the option to do now: DON'T watch him perform and don't buy his music. Easy.

As for the NUT JOB on the hunger strike I can only say: "GET A LIFE, FRUIT CAKE!" NO t.v. show should EVER mean that much to someone and if it does than YOU are watching entirely TOO much!

[MIpapaof4]

This show is fixed, and you all know it. They say the computers tally the votes. yea, right. A computer, as you all know, will only put out what has been put into it. This is the way it is and don't forget it. Drop the dam show and everything that goes with it. It is such a waste of time. I don't watch this ***, but my wife does. I can't stand it. I just stopped by to see what all the noise was. You all have nothing better to do? Get a life!!!

[gwlafayette]

just look at the finalist. its totally black and white. sanjaya is just there because all the asians are supporting him. he sucks, and is relying on race to help him.