Is Sanjaya the Next American Idol?

With the top eight American Idol finalists performing next week, it's time to take a look at how eBay items related to the entertainers -- everything from key chains to t-shirts to photos -- are selling on the site, and how it can be a Magic 8 Ball in predicting the show's weekly send-offs.

Leading the pack is Sanjaya Malakar, with 82 sold over the last two weeks, followed by Blake Lewis (32 sold over the last two weeks). Coincidentally, both are from the Seattle area. Rounding out the top five are Haley Scarnato (15 sold) -- who was among the bottom three on Wednesday night -- Chris Richardson (14 sold), and Melinda Doolittle (13 sold).

But the big question on everyone's mind is, "Who's getting booted next?" Based on eBay sales, the eBay Bottom 4, heading into Wednesday's elimination episode, were Phil Stacey (4 items sold over 14 days), Gina Glocksen (6 sold) and surprisingly, LaKisha Jones (10 sold), and Jordin Sparks (12 sold). As it turned out, Gina (second lowest sales) was cut from the contest.

If you feel this prediction is far fetched, think again. Last year's winning Idol, Taylor Hicks, held a commanding lead in sales at this point in the elimination process. Weekly eliminations were accurately predicted as well, including Mandisa, who many considered a true, raw talent, was voted off in order as predicted by her eBay sales.


Tags: American Idol