NEW DELHI Apr 5, 2007 (AP)— So much for the Indian Call Center Theory: Under-talented singer Sanjaya Malakar's unlikely wave of "American Idol" support apparently isn't coming from his father's homeland.

Indians are usually attuned to the successes of their compatriots abroad. But apart from a few brief newspaper articles, at least one short TV news segment and a few blog mentions, the reedy 17-year-old with the unsteady voice is a virtual unknown here.

One reason is that the show is broadcast a day late in India, and on an English-language channel that attracts relatively few viewers inthis country of 1.1 billion.

"He's also an object of ridicule," said Amit Varma, who runs the popular India Uncut blog.

Malakar's success with viewers, who vote by phone or text message for their favorite performers, has come despite withering criticism from the three "Idol" judges on New Corp.'s hit Fox network show. The irascible Simon Cowell has even threatened to quit if the native of Federal Way, Wash., wins the contest.

Malakar survived elimination Wednesday night to make it to the final eight. If he can hold on for a few more weeks, he might see his fame spread here, Varma said.

"Even if the guy's really an American, it will be projected by the media here as an Indian doing well in the world," he said. "They'llmake a big deal about it."

As for the theory that Indian call center operators are phoning invotes for Malakar: Most workers have calls automatically dialed for them by computers. They couldn't even call next door if they wanted to.

Source: ABC News

Goosey's Gabbings...

How bad can it be of a country of over 1 billion people do not want to claim you? And your home ethnic country even? I have always been an avid watcher of American Idol, but now it's taking on the train wreck effect, where you are watching it just to feel as awkward as watching Dwight and Michael go at it on The Office. For some reason, I am wanting Sanjaya to continue to make a mockery of the American Idol phenomenon and maybe they'll change the rules so some 11-year old doesn't spend hours and hours pouring in text message votes for a "dreamy" kid who can't sing his way out of a wet paper bag.