American Idol

Sanjaya Malakar is getting fried this week!

Kentucky Fried Chicken has offered the "American Idol" wannabe a free lifetime supply of their Famous Bowls if the 17-year-old hirsute crooner sports a bowl hairdo in one of his next televised performances.

In an open letter to Sanjaya, KFC President Gregg Dedrick writes, "We're sure America will be as 'bowled-over' by your take on this classic look as they are by our KFC Famous Bowls."

In addition to the poultry perks, KFC will also make a contribution in Sanjy's name to Colonel Scholars, a charity that provides young people with college scholarships. Who knew bad singing and funny weaves could do so much good?!

She's an American Idol, she's Sanjaya's best girlfriend, and she's got charm ... and she is one.

Thanks to an eBay auction, Miss LaKisha Jones can be your very own wrist adornment with this Italian charm bracelet add-on.

The single mother of one and former bank teller will be putting it down with Tony Bennett tonight. As Randy Jackson said, "She's a true fly diva!"

The MySpacer who had gone 16 days without food in protest of Sanjaya Malakar's presence on "American Idol" has finally relented -- under doctor's orders.

"J," the one-letter moniker by which she is known to millions, says that she will continue to fight the good fight the old fashioned way: by voting for anyone other than Sanjaya.

Wearing a bucket cap, brass medallion, and charming black purse, the ponyhawked singer recorded some tracks for this week's show, which will feature crooner legend Tony Bennett.

That's right, Tony Bennett, 80, and Sanjaya -- sharing the same stage. In 2005, Bennett received a Kennedy Center Honor, but working with Sanjy has to be a career highlight.

While most of the country may have fallen in love with "American Idol" wannabe Sanjaya Malakar, there is one group that is finding his growing popularity a tad irritating -- his fellow "A.I." contestants!

An inside source revealed exclusively to TMZ that some of the remaining "Idol" hopefuls are annoyed that the vocally-challenged 17-year-old continues to advance, while other "more talented" singers get sent home. We're told the contestants are not-so-much mad at Sanjaya, but at the situation, which finds websites like votefortheworst.com and satellite radio host Howard Stern urging fans to keep Sanjaya in -- simply as a joke.

We're told the "Idols" don't find it funny, since it's their future being toyed with. Our source adds that the contestants find it troublesome that they all work so hard to pick the right song and rehearse each week, but it appears that all Sanjaya really has to do to move forward is to show up wearing a scrunchie.

TMZ contacted an "Idol" rep, who had no comment.

Sanjaya's biggest fan is at it again -- no, not that overwrought teenweeper -- but Eric Schwartz aka Smooth-E. This time, Smooth assumes his Sanjaya alter-ego to send a little Easter/Passover love to his fans.

As expected, it's Sanjy's hair, rather than his singing, that inspired this mock greeting card.

Pitchy!

Just because "American Idol" contestant Sanjaya Malakar isn't the strongest singer on the show, it doesn't mean he won't have a career ... so says a music insider to TMZ.

Stuart Meyer is an A&R rep for Sub Pop Records -- home to early Nirvana and The Shins, and just happens to be based in Sanjaya's hometown, Seattle. Meyer says that actually being able to sing is just one quality a pop star needs to have. "He has a charm about him that is key to being a pop star," Meyer says. "Some of the biggest pop stars, like Madonna and Britney, aren't exactly the best singers." Word.

Meyer added that he thinks Sanjaya has "a bright future ahead," saying, "I'm sure someone will sign him, he has personality."

No matter what you think of Sanjaya's so-called voice, Meyer says he does have a leg-up on a lot of other pop stars. "You have to give him credit for getting out there and singing live; a lot of the biggest pop stars out there today rarely do that." Um, Ashlee Simpson anyone?

Call off the search -- "J" is still with us.

When "J" -- the MySpace girl who is on a hunger strike until Sanjaya is off "American Idol" -- didn't update her blog, we feared the worst. But alas, she's still alive and still going strong.

"I first want to say thanks to TMZ and the rest of you guys for worrying so much about me since then, that really means a lot," she wrote. "It's helping to get me through a rough time. Don't worry though, I'm still alive." Whew!

"J" has gone without food for 13 days now, sustaining her protest with water, vitamins and an undying love for "American Idol."

Just remember "J," if you ever need someone to lean on -- or a sandwich -- we're here for you.

A Sligh-tly sore loser, are we?

Mop-topped "American Idol" hopeful Chris Sligh, who just got the axe on Wednesday, now says he thought about quitting the show after getting excoriated for his maverick arrangement of "Endless Love," and that he really just stayed in to get paid as one of the Top Ten, who will go on tour this summer.

In an interview with his hometown paper, the Greenville, S.C. News, Sligh says he never really wanted to be the American Idol. "I never came into this wanting to win it. I made the Top Ten. That was my goal," says the big-haired Sligh, who many observers pointed out bears a striking resemblance to "The Simpsons'" Sideshow Bob.

The loyal "American Idol" fan who has been on a hunger strike until Sanjaya is voted off of "Idol," didn't update her daily blog last night after Sanjaya survived another round of cuts, prompting us to wonder: Has Sanjaya's "singing" claimed its first victim?

The MySpacer, who only goes by the name of "J," has been at this for nearly two weeks. After Tuesday night's episode, she wrote, "Tomorrow is Wednesday, hopefully the day that will save my life." Cryptic.

"J," if you're out there, let us know you're ok. And have a steak or something -- Sanjaya isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Sanjaya's mindboggling pony-hawk was enough to almost distract from his butchering of No Doubt's "Bathwater." Almost. Unfortunately, a more appropriate song choice for Sanjaya would have been the power pop band's 90s hit, "Don't Speak," which Timberlake-alike Chris Richardson ravaged. *beep beep*

If Sanjaya survives another week, he's going to have a busy day in the studio -- the hair studio that is!

Sexy "American Idol" castoff Alaina Alexander and top ten finalist Chris Timberlake Richardson may have sparked more than just a friendship on the show. An inside source revealed exclusively to TMZ that the pair "hit it off instantly," and even after the busty songstress was voted off A.I. island, their relationship is afloat.

Our spy said that what they share is "beyond just friends." It seems not to be a coincidence that the wannabeen Miss Alexander has a really sweet picture of the two on her MySpace page.

Also adding fuel to the romance rumors... last week when they panned the audience to show Richardson's adoring friends and family, Alaina just happened to be in the crew. Will these apparently lovestruck Idols end up being the next Kristy Swanson and Lloyd Eisler, er, minus the scandal 'n stuff?

"A.I." reps had "no comment".

Smooth-E has totally captured the "American Idol" in all of his hairific splendor!

TMZ uncovered classic video of "American Idol" beat-boxer Blake Lewis on YouTube -- with buck teeth and a nasty black wig!

On a previous episode of the talent cavalcade, Lewis alluded to his white trash alter-ego "Jimmie Walker Blue." This new video shows Blake in full-on hick disguise, walking through the Summer Meltdown Music Festival in his home state of Washington.

Don't forget to check out TMZ's photo gallery of "American Idol" mentor, Gwen Stefani.

"American Idol" castoff Alaina Alexander is showing off her other assets on her new MySpace music page.

Her alleged music page features four songs she's laughably categorized as her "Greatest Hits," and like any good 'ol American idled wannabeen, she's added some racy pics over which her teen admirers may care to drool.

Perhaps this little songbird should've flaunted that taut bod a little earlier in the singing contest. Like Haley Scarnato, whose singing puts one in the mind of performing televised tracheotomies, showing off her physical prowess might have kept her on the show until the inevitable vote-off.