As I flipped thru the many reality shows available on Indian television I was amazed at the creativity displayed by the contestants. The singers were amazing, the dancers at times were better than our so called film superstars and the jokes in the standups, way better than the comedy films that they dole out these days. But as soon as the contestants start speaking about their personal lives I cringe and switch the channel. My mom adores the crybabies on stage and I am usually reprimanded for being insensitive.
I am amazed at the way our television creates hoopla, its either thru voyeurism or thru the sad stories of participants. And it’s even more amazing to see the urban population hooked onto series where all they do is utter the 'f' word, display their brattish behavior, or put forth their sad stories; all in the name of being honest. Pick up any show, KBC included; tell me one of them which doesn't try to cash onto the sorry-state of the participants. The participants narrate the sorry state of their lives and the host/ess gets all set to wipe out the tears and bring a smile in their battered lives. And the participant, just after a hug from the celebrity is all set to face the tribulations of life. I wonder what else? What's the next thing that will increase the TRP of the show because I am sure with the tears flowing at the drop of a hat in every other show they need to come up with something else now, something more touching .
No, I am not saying everyone there is lying but I just don’t see a way to distinguish the true ones from the fake ones. I have become a cynic enough to feel that all of them are fake. Maybe honesty is just no longer an appreciated virtue. People often break down under pressure but on our television they break down for a few extra votes. Maybe a win will really solve their problems; well if it does, then I think the easiest way to a win is to garner the sympathies of the voters rather than improving their capabilities.
Maybe times are really changing! For everything and anything all you need to do now is put up an act...the more the volume of tears, the better it sells!
