Battle for TRPs

TRPs – Is reality TV losing its touch among the audiences for the sake of money, forsaking the purpose of entertainment?

A big question is – what is reality TV? Is it real in its true sense? Gone are the days when the entire family would sit together to watch their 9 pm ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, or enjoy a refreshing weekend by watching the ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ show and hum along with the melodious tunes. It is a completely different genre now, wouldn’t call it an evolved one, though! Is the ‘idiot box’ truly becoming an idiot? Are reality shows so desperate to garner the TRPs and money, that they know no bounds of ethics and morality? What has happened to this generation’s mode of entertainment?

For today’s youngsters, fame is a big ticket! One entry or just a lame participation in the show makes them want to grab the limelight of stardom. It is known that such shows do grab ample eyeballs, but what sense does it make? Hereon, we shall take a peek at some of the highest grossing TV shows that have been doing many rounds on our small screen.

BIGG BOSS – or FULL-ON TOSS?

First things first, why would the Indian audiences be keen on knowing what the so-called celebrities would do when locked in one house for months? It doesn’t have a concept. So, for its rescue what our famous Bigg Boss does is, it calls for the foreign entertainment brigade, to attract obvious attention. It started with Jade Goody (from ‘Big Brother’ fame, which is apparently the very show whose rip off is our very own BIGG BOSS). Then a two day stay of the popular seductress Pamela Anderson which did raise the viewing for obvious reasons, period! All was well till the last season brought in the much-publicized entry of porn superstar Sunny Leone. The TRPs went through the roof as most of our Indian viewers went gaga over the sultry siren, who has to her credit several XXX movies and over a million followers on the web.

In the past, the show gave a new dimension to the careers of several lesser-known people, who became celebrities overnight for both good and bad reasons post their stint in the Bigg Boss’s undeniably lavish home. So, clearly it is a sure-shot ticket to stardom for many individuals, whether for their right or wrong deeds, it doesn’t really matter…

MTV ROADIES – SHORTCUT TO HELL? No thanks!

Oh yes! Why would anyone want to see or participate in this ‘macho’ show? Is it for finding today’s idle among youngsters?! But stop and think for once, is it really worth it? Being mentally traumatized during auditions doesn’t prove how thick skinned you are! It just tells you, that you don’t possess an iota of self-respect! Contestants are made to perform inhuman tasks, often humiliating and disgusting ones, by a pair of bald twins with over-inflated egos. Is that the youth’s idea of fun? Is getting an enema on national television worth the future career opportunities that may result once you are a ‘ROADIE’?  You may learn to swear like a sailor on this show, but the Information and Broadcast Ministry may not like it!

SWAYAMVAR SEASONS – Real marriage or Real foolishness?

Swayamvar had once had a charm of its own, back in the ancient ages. Every princess was entitled to choose her own groom from amongst the eligible kings lined up to ask for her hand in marriage! It was a symbol of girl power, way back in time! But today, it’s a joke some overambitious TV guy cooked up! The TV stars or VIPs, stage their own swayamvar, claiming to fall in love and marry one of the many eligible prospectives lined up in our drawing rooms! You can see why this idea clicked! For the Indian audience, who can never get enough of their fascination towards these so called ‘stars’ will jump at the chance to see their idols fall in love and marry, all on their television screens, no matter how fake the whole thing is! It’s a meaningless version of entertainment which nonetheless, has stolen the original purity of our cultural swayamvar.

The first season of the show had Bollywood’s item girl – Rakhi Sawant, who couldn’t wait to get rid of her chosen fiancé within a few weeks after the show. The next season featured Rahul Mahajan, the son of late Pramod Mahajan, who had been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Within the first few months of his marriage, news leaked out that he was physically abusing his new wife! The third season had TV actress, Ratan Rajput make a fool out of herself as well the rest of the world by not making any choice at the end! Now, telly-talks reveal that ‘Bigg Boss’ seductress and Pakistani actress Veena Malik is looking for ‘love’ or maybe her share of glitterati, in the next season.

GHAZAB DESH KI AJAB KAHAANI – Do we have to know?

There was one TV show called ‘Aap Ki Kacheri’ by our well respected, Kiran Bedi. But enter “Ghazab Desh Ki Ajab Kahaani” by item girl – Rakhi Sawant. Need we say more? Those who believe that this hostess could solve their personal issues need to get doused by a bucket full of ice-cold water! Dressed in the skimpiest of clothing, Miss Sawant has been seen shamelessly probing her guest about his/her private moments!  Needless to say, if she has always been in the news for her crazy antics, should she be given the honour and responsibility of judging people’s private problems?  Without a degree in law, or a nano particle of common sense, is Miss Sawant our idea of an ideal judge and counselor? For that matter, doesn’t she have millions of her own problems, which she doesn’t mind sharing with the world at every opportunity?