Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Reality television has taken Malaysia by storm, but instead of eating bugs or cavorting nude in jacuzzis, contestants face spot checks on the direction of Mecca.
Yet despite the attempts to bring them in line with Islamic precepts, the dozens of home-grown reality shows have scandalised politicians and religious leaders, who accuse them of promoting western culture and offending local sensibilities.
Influential Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak has complained that the shows "borrow extensively from western culture" which he fears could "threaten eastern values and lead to moral decadence".
Cult phenomenon Akademi Fantasia, which is based on a Brazilian talent search, has kept record audiences around the country glued to their screens. Featuring a group of ambitious young men and women confined in a house and given voice and dancing lessons, Akademi culminates in a concert finale after most of the contestants are voted out weekly via text messages.
The conclusion of its third season recently attracted 12 million text votes, no mean feat for a country with a population of 25 million.
Mr Najib was incensed that some contestants were shown hugging each other tearfully as their peers were voted out. "No hugging please, we are Muslims," he was quoted as saying. "This is about religion. It is forbidden in the religion."
Former premier Mahathir Mohamad, known for his anti-western rhetoric, has also expressed his concern, saying reality shows could lead to moral decadence among Malaysians.
A mufti from conservative Perak state in the north, Harussani Zakaria, was so scandalised that he declared reality shows haram or forbidden in Islam.
"Young people who watch reality TV concerts late into the night take the opportunity to mingle freely and the chances of them doing drugs is high," he said.
Malaysian Idol executive producer Michael Christian Simon said the contestants in the local version of the global reality phenomenon were instructed to avoid physical contact. "We do try to stay away from hugs. But people do get very emotional obviously when people are voted out.
"It's all very innocent. There are no pre-meditated hugs."