The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Not a child’s play to make children’s reality show

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Wednesday, May 13, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Not a child’s play to make children’s reality show

Meera Srinivasan

“Success of any competition lies in how healthy it is”

CHENNAI: It might be very thrilling for parents to see their children tap their feet in style or sing beautifully on a television reality show. But seeing a child cry after being “eliminated” may be quite unpleasant.

With reality shows having virtually displaced even popular mega serials on Tamil television channels to gain prime slots and increasing viewership, channels are trying to capitalise in this space.

According to K. Sriram, head of Vijay TV, it is no easy task to produce a children’s reality show. ‘Airtel Super Singer Junior’ and the ongoing ‘Chennai Super Kings Junior’ are among the channel’s reality shows featuring children. It is important to keep in mind their sensibilities, he says. “Children are extremely talented and it is very exciting to provide them a platform to exhibit their talents.”

Asked how they dealt with the disappointment of children who do not make it to the following round, he says: “Initially they feel bad, but they are quick to recover and be okay with it. After all, competition is not something new to children. They know how to deal with it. In fact, a good number of them come back to participate in the season of the show.

Dance master Kala, director of ‘Odi Vilayadu Papa’ on Kalaignar TV, also feels children are way more professional than adults. “Even when they cry, it won’t last for more than a minute. They’ll soon get back to cheering their friends,” she says.

After the incident of a teenager who was paralysed after being allegedly humiliated in a reality show, crews are beginning to take extra care, according to industry professionals. “We avoid terms like ‘elimination’ just so that we don’t hurt the child. We have erected a set of a ship and tell them playfully that they have to leave the ship now, but could come back another time,” Ms. Kala says. On their talent, she says: “The speed at which they pick up new things and perform is unbelievable. Today, children are enormously talented,” For some parents, this trend has meant pressure of another kind. “When I see children as old as mine doing so well on TV and gaining popularity, I feel why not send my child to one of these contests. But he doesn’t listen,” says R. Gowri, a parent of a seven-year-old boy. Doctors also emphasise the need for sensitivity while dealing with children, or the damage could be big. R. Sathianathan, director, Institute of Mental Health, says that competition is very important to motivate children. But the success of any competition lies in how healthy it is, he notes.

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