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Reality shows could do with some

Reality shows are dime a dozen on television channels. Though the shows are aimed at promoting and honing young talents, there are other factors that account for the shows being aired. Viewers once addicted to television serials are now hooked onto reality shows. As far as the producers are concerned, the production cost gets reduced as the participants stage various programmes on their shows without being paid. The participants are also seen pleading for votes. The public fails to realise that the mobile phone service providers and the channels stand to gain immensely through the SMSs. The tension on the sets during the elimination rounds prompts the viewers to watch the episodes. Most of the time, the programme slot is packed with advertisements. The shows sure do entertain viewers. It is a respite for viewers from the tear-jerkers on television.

Cynara Justine

Thiruvananthapuram

Reality shows are essential to help groom singers and dancers. But the aim of the programme should not be confined to generating revenue through advertisements. Every channel has a specific aim behind producing such shows. The judgements are sometimes over-ridden by SMSs. It is a source of revenue for the channels and mobile operators to make money. Does anyone know how much money the operators and channels make when viewers send SMSs? Has any departments checked the unaudited income obtained through SMSs? Thankfully, most women viewers now watch reality shows instead the daily soaps on television.

Vijaykumar G.R

Nettayam

The reality shows that have caught up on primetime are being promoted with a huge business outlook for the channels as well as the phone companies. Sadly, the manner in which the winners are decided leads to a show of strength by the participants. Those who manage to garner maximum support from the viewers remain on the show. There are so many participants who are talented that it becomes quite difficult to judge one particular person the best. The time given to the viewers to judge a participant is quite less. Due credit can be given to the sponsors to encourage young talents. The judges often try to highlight the mistakes. When they air their views openly it leads to ego clashes. Judges should read out the marks and grade the performance. The rest of the remarks can be printed and handed over to the participants along with their score card/certificates. We should not ape the western shows but try to preserve our creativity rooted in the culture of music and heritage. The judges should appreciate the efforts of the participants instead of attempting to find mistakes without considering either the age of the participant or the situation that he/she has been through. Give them due credit without voicing resentment in public. The reality shows have many takers who were once addicted to serials. One wonders if it were a huge waste of money with viewers sending numerous SMSs to vote for the candidate of their choice.

Donald Dcruz

Kollam

Reality shows are currently very popular and have the highest viewership ratings. But the channels are packed with such shows. In the talent hunt shows, people are requested to vote for the contestants. Judges should have a say in deciding the winners. Controversies abound about reality shows being ‘planned and scripted.’

Vishnu Praveen

Thiruvananthapuram

Now that the viewers have welcomed the reality shows on television, many channels air the shows at primetime. The shows range from musical programmes, acting, dancing talent hunts to shows like the Big Boss, a peep into the lives of celebrities. These talent shows offer a platform for young talents and many of them have found their way to fame. Most of the shows come up with very expensive sets designed by famous designers to woo viewers. Eminent personalities are brought in to judge the participants and the channels vie with each other for the best in the industry. But often, the shows lead to personal tiffs among the judges.

Reality shows based on music demand that the participant be an all-rounder with dancing and acting talents, thus shifting the focus of the participant and lowering the standard of performance. Those talented in the field which is the main criterion for the competition are eliminated as they lack skills in others. The prize money is a big attraction for many of the participants. The sad fact is that the choice of selecting the winner rests in the hands of the audience, most of whom are ill-equipped. The winners are chosen on the basis of votes and are often those having an attractive personality. The costumes worn by the contestants too are given importance. Moreover, with the channels focussing on the personal life of participants, the viewers tend to vote for those they can emotionally relate to. Another sad trend is that channels bring in some noted personality from a different field as a special judge. The sad fact is that they are asked to comment on the performance of the participant and they make inane remarks. Shows that focus on pure music talent go unwatched because viewers tend to get attracted towards other shows for all the wrong reasons. The trend has to be prevented to avoid the deterioration of art.

Archana V

Kollam

Today, professionals in the entertainment industry look upon reality shows as a means to augment viewership by carving a niche for themselves in the mind of the viewer. Reality shows have become the buzzword. Such programmes nurture fresh talent as they portray ordinary people instead of seasoned professionals. The thrust is on innovation, spontaneity and the personality of the contestants. Such shows have brought in a whiff of fresh air for viewers worn out by run-of-the-mill soap operas. No doubt, some popular programmes have become synonyms with the channels and are touted as the most versatile talent-hunt programme. Apart from the surreal experience, fame, money and a career in advertising and fashion awaits the youngsters.

Some programmes are interactive and the viewers are allowed to select the winners.

Critics argue that SMS voting is a ploy of the producers. At times, the word reality show becomes a misnomer as the recorded programme is often subjected to post-production techniques before it is broadcast to make it more appealing.

Reghu P.L

Thiruvananthapuram

Reality shows tend to create a certain rat race among the youth who consider themselves good enough to win the top honours. The way the drop-outs at every round are bid goodbye with tears, even by the judges, is crass commercialisation. It is an attempt to get maximum mileage out of a person’s failure. The tension and the do-or-die spirit increases as the contest reaches the final rounds. Focussing on someone’s grief in public is in bad taste.

D.S. Narayanan

Thrissur

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