July 12, 2007

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - An Indian television channel is looking out for good singers in the one place that has escaped the prying eyes of reality TV -- the bathroom.

"Bathroom Singer," a new singing contest on the Filmy entertainment channel, will zero in on an untrained performer who's good at singing in the shower and can enthral viewers.

"We are looking for a combination of voice and a certain flavor. For example, the exuberance and energy with which people sing in their bathrooms," said Shailesh Kapoor, Filmy's content and marketing head, said late on Wednesday.

Contestants, who have to be 18 years and above, will exercise their vocal cords in a studio set that replicates a bathroom with tiled walls, showers and taps, but will not appear undressed.

"As the show progresses, there will be specific themes and situations which ask for a certain kind of costume," Kapoor said, without giving details.

It was not clear whether the competition would eventually require participants to sing under a running shower.

Auditions start later this month with the show set to go on air in late August.

Unlike the many youth-oriented reality shows that have become very popular on Indian channels, the creators of "Bathroom Singer" also hope to attract older contestants.

"Age is a huge barrier in other reality TV singing contests," said Kapoor.

"But we are not looking for a professional singer -- just someone very, very entertaining. That person can be a 50-year-old."

The winner of the show, determined jointly by a jury and the audience, will walk away with 2.5 million rupees ($62,000) in prize money.

© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved.

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