The Great Indian Controversy (The "S" word)

Dont know why India or rather Indians are at the thick of controversies at International Television for quite sometime now. First it was Shilpa Shetty, a third grade celebrity, pouring tears on Big Brother while trading charges of racism with her co-contestants. She later on put up quite a brave face to chew her words and say she never was a victim of racism and it was her ignorance and over-reaction. I dont consider what happened to be racism but judgementalism apart, it made Shilpa at least a second grade celebrity both in India and on the international platform.

After Shilpa, its Sanjaya Malakar, one of the 9 finalists of Fox TVs iconic reality show American Idol. Simon Cowell, the most outspoken and least talented of the three judges, got so pissed with Sanjaya's progress that he threatened to quit if Sanjaya wins. New York Times goes a step further in describing Sanjayaas the off-key, lyric-fumbling, elaborately coiffed teenager who is perhaps the most talked-about "Idol" contestant ever.

On the other hand, Howard Stern, a highly famous and equally controversial Radio and TV personality, with help from Della Terza, founder of the web site votefortheworst.com, has been advocating Sanjaya's candidature. Media describes them as robber barons who are out to destroy the show as well the dream of other contestants who are apparently better singers.
Sanjaya apparently has a lot of support from the teenagers as he himself is 17 and has funky hair which give him the looks of a 1970s pop star. He also draws a lot of support from the Indian-American community. Wide coverage by the sensationalism hungry media both in the US and India is keeping Fox TV happy as more and more eyeballs are attracted to the show.

Sanjaya, however, should not loose heart just because the judges and the NYT is against him. He is young, he is got style, he is got funky hair and he is an Indian American. Moreover, he is the pick of votefortheworst.com which picked Taylor Hicks last year and he went on to become the winner despite being the worse of the five finalists.

Any learning - Well. There is got to be something with the "S" word - Shilpa and now Sanjaya. Is it finally the time to move from "K" to "S"? Is Ekta Kapoor listening? And for the bookies - Bodog.com is offering odds of 25 to 1 on Sanjaya winning the competition.
So - Am I betting? No. Do I have a comment on this entire episode - No. I guess I am a little too happy watching Indian Cricket's Great Chappel Vs. Senior Players saga unfold.