Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Reality shows: perils and positives abound

Photo: H. Vibhu

In limelight: Reality shows provide contestants a platform to showcase talent. But, the pressure to win is enormous.

Reality show per se is not a matter of concern. It is the way in which it is conceived, produced and packaged to the audience that determines its impact on the participants and viewers alike. If performed in a dignified and sporting manner, the show can be a rewarding exercise for all. It is a platform to showcase talent. But the pressure to win should be avoided. Participation is in itself the reward, winning is secondary. It is this message that needs to be popularized.

Judges should act as friends, not as stern schoolmasters finding fault and demoralising the participants. A self-regulated code of conduct among producers could be tried. External regulation of reality shows can be counterproductive and can infringe on artistic freedom. A responsible producer, a relaxed and friendly team of participants and a mature audience will ensure that the boundaries of healthy entertainment are not crossed. Again, no genre of entertainment can sustain viewer interest for long. Reality shows will also change in accordance with viewer preferences.

V.N. Mukundarajan

Thiruvananthapuram

The public has access to more than a hundred channels. Each channel has its own approach. It is up to the viewer to choose. No one is forced to watch a channel. So it’s not a case of reality shows crossing limits, especially in Malayalam channels. This is a passing phase in Kerala and will soon be replaced by some other show. One must appreciate the positive aspect of such shows. Several young talented artistes could garner limelight because of these shows. Otherwise, a spot on television would have proved too difficult.

Maju Balakrishnan

Thiruvananthapuram

Reality television has the potential to convert its participants into national celebrities, at least for a short period. But one wonders just how real it is! Most of the concepts are created by someone (usually the producer), and while the footage may be real, it is usually edited to suit the show’s requirements. Reality shows typically don’t have scripts, but there is often a shooting script or an outline that details aspects of an episode or part of the show. Some reports even suggest that fights amongst judges during the show are fake and staged as per the ‘invisible script’ to push up the ratings of the show.

In short, producers and editors have a tight grip over what happens on the show. For judges, these shows are a platform to showcase their knowledge and humiliate participants. Take the case of 16-year-old Shinjini Sengupta, a Class XI student of Kolkata, who lost her ability to speak and move after she was shown the door in the elimination round of a show on a Bengali TV channel. Children are not equipped to handle this stress. One has to be gentle with them. Also, how many of these winners make it big in the entertainment industry? Mostly, the ones who get eliminated earlier emerge as stars later in the real world.

Rejin Thomas

By e-mail

Are these reality shows or realtors’ shows? The latter seems appropriate since these shows are mostly sponsored by leading realtors. When a programme draws viewers to a channel, other channels follow suit. The result is a surfeit of same mode of entertainment . Viewers welcome the opportunity to enjoy good music and dance. Participants in turn get the much needed exposure and prizes, at times in crores. The positive spin-off is that through such shows music and dance get a fillip. Agreed, there is a flip side too. But then as they say, one needs to break the egg to make an omelette!

A.N. Balan

By e-mail

Reality shows on TV tend to distance themselves from realism. With the introduction of huge sums as prize money, the participants throw to wind the subtleties and dignity of performing art. Pressure usually thwarts the spontaneity of nascent performance.

However, these shows will be around, at least for a while, primarily because sponsors are queuing up for advert slots. The older generation might disapprove of these shows, but youngsters are all for them. Blame it on the generation gap!

N. Sadasivan Pillai

By e-mail

Most of the young participants of reality shows are talented. Who would have thought that this State harboured so much as raw talent? The judges too try to bring out the best in these performers by offering valuable suggestions be it in the field of music, dance or acting. The popularity of these shows can be gauged from the upsurge in their viewership. The only problem is that various channels telecast these contests at the same time, making it impossible for the viewers to watch them all.

K.P. Karunakaran Nair

Thiruvananthapuram

The popularity of reality shows might be due to the fact that it offers a level playing ground for all. The man on the street, if he is talented enough, can vie for a spot. Another reason is the handsome rewards. Transparency in competition too attracts viewers. The concept goes against the popular notion that one needs a ‘godfather’ to come up trumps in any field today. Reality shows must not be confined to arts alone. It should be stretched to other fields as well, such as quizzes, debates, elocution, recitation, painting etc.

Burney Sebastian Louis

Kumarapuram

Reality shows are no doubt an outlet for young and aspiring artistes. It gives them an opportunity to test their mettle. But, sadly, at times such shows are ‘hijacked’ by the influential few who decide its final outcome. In a recent episode, all norms of propriety were thrown overboard by a leading musician to influence the panel of judges. The musician used all means to help her close relative win the contest. In yet another instance, the judges were found mouthing comments which they themselves could not comprehend. Jargons pertaining to Carnatic music were aired to discourage and belittle the contestants. Some left the stage weeping. Such incidents will only lead to unhealthy competition, given the prize money offered. So, it would be wise if the rules of the shows are altered, fixing a common limit on the prize money, say, at Rs.10,000. And let experts judge these contests. Let there be no SMS judges!

Sujith V.V.

Kannur

Has anyone thought of the reality behind these shows? The participants are pressurised to excel by their parents, friends and relatives. Failure means doom, end of the world. The case of Shijini Sen Gupta, who collapsed after being humiliated by judges in a Bengali TV show, is not isolated. Such instances must be avoided at all costs.

Mohanan P.T.

Paroppady

In the case of such shows, disadvantages outnumber advantages. The initial selection round itself is baseless. There will be large numbers of contestants. They will be asked to sing one or two lines, on the basis of which a few will be selected. Is this the right way to judge one’s calibre? Once you enter the contest, you have to put up with judges’ nasty comments.

Money too plays a lead role here. There are various rounds in such shows. To attract judges and audience, large amount is spent on improving one’s appearance. Only rich can afford it. Students are not even worried about being absent from school for months. This will affect their studies. Money and fame are not bad, but must be aspired for within limits.

One cannot ignore another component – the text messages. If people are supposed to pick winners, what are the judges doing there? Of course, tears have to follow once a contestant is shown the door. If viewers do not support this ‘not-so-real’ shows, they will soon be out of the small screen.

Purnima Krishnan

Wayanad

Most of the reality shows now on TV channels seem to have just one aim, that is, making money. The judges in the shows, some of whom have acting experience in a few insipid serials, vie with one another in harassing the innocent contestants who are lured by fantastic prizes, by using high sounding technical words. They grow loquacious in boosting their ego and the poor thing on the stage is asked to repeat random lines. The anchor persons are more often than not, dressed atrociously and speak with an affected accent. A celebrity judge acts as the court jester. The channel bosses should do an introspection and take measures to lift such shows to a higher level for the viewers to enjoy them.

M. Ramankutty

Thripunithura

An industrial group promises Rs 2 crore as prize money but one should analyse this: generally, there are three shows per week, each show taking up an hour or so. The majority of the time is used for displaying advertisements which fetch enormous revenue to the channel. Hence, this is a money-making affair for all concerned. At the same time, the contest does provide a venue for bringing out the dormant talents in youngsters.

The winners are also noticed nationally and even internationally. The benefits of reality shows are many. The organisers make good money, the contestants win attractive prizes and the viewers too enjoy the shows.

P.M.G. Pilla

Mannar

These so-called reality shows have become redundant and counter-productive. These are simply gimmicks to mint money by the channels and mobile phone companies. They have found that this is the best way to hoodwink the gullible public. They are cashing in on the tears of the participants who lose in the elimination rounds. The most condemnable aspect of the shows is that certain anchors are vulgarly dressed and the beautiful Malayalam language is mutilated by them. It is astonishing the judges and anchors switch over to English even though the shows are in Malayalam. They think that this is the opportunity to express their proficiency in English, which is nauseating.

No useful purpose is served by these reality shows except help the channels and mobile phone companies to extract money from the gullible. Therefore, it is high time these shows are wound up. However, the viewers are at liberty to switch off the television or skip to some other channel for entertainment.

K.K. Joseph

Punnapra

The reality behind the reality shows is that there is no reality in it. The are unscripted shows and feature ordinary people instead of professional actors. The first reality show of Indian television, Meri Awaz Suno, was a standard programme and everybody loved it. Reality shows on Malayalam television channels, however, are crossing all limits. While those with real talents are ousted, SMS messages boost the rating of the worst among them. This type of reality shows only destroy the talents of our younger generations.

They become a revenue-generating business for the channels. In some reality shows, the judges and participants look as if they had come for some fashion show.

Many anchors speak in the worst form of Malayalam ever heard. As for the contestants, some are very good and talented youngsters who can give the current playback singers a run for their money. But they lose out mid-way through the shows. And sometimes they decide it is the end of the road for them. It is better to stop such artificial programmes which kill talents.

Sreeni K.R

Meloor, Chalakudy

In the olden days, the only way to present one’s talents were cultural programmes at the school Yuvajanotsavam. But when TV serials came to the limelight, the chances for youngster to showcase their talents brightened. We should appreciate the organisers of the reality shows for bringing hundreds of youngsters into the limelight through these marvellous programmes. At the same time, in rare cases, some judges victimise participants. Some cinema actors, who have no knowledge of the subject, are brought in as judges of the events. Their words may affect the judgment of other judges and may diminish the participants’ chance for the next contest. The organisers should choose the best judges for these events. Anyway, reality shows are to be commended for giving many children exposure. This will help them in overcoming stage-fright.

S.N. Panicker

Poonithura

Reality shows often turn out to be items of commercialisation. Commercials find them a great means to sail through, as the shows themselves command a huge following. If reality shows do aspire to find the “best of the best”, they shouldn’t make the losers feel rejected.

The spirit of participation should be the highlight.

Let it be a stage to showcase talent. People inherit talent. Reality shows, when they cross the limits, might adversely affect this

divine gift.

It would be greatly appreciated if Malayalam television channels organise education-oriented programmes for a similar duration, which would expand the intellectual horizon of the viewers.

Aiswarya Chandran

Changanasserry

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