Glued to the idiot box, I can watch anything and everything on television. I developed the habit of television when I was a kid going to school. Cable- television had added a feather to the means of communication then. After some dilemma we got a connection at home. My parents used to restrict our television viewing but the attraction was too much to control. After retuning from school, while having lunch, my brother and I made it a point to watch something.

At that time the number of channels and programmes were countable. Prime Sports, ZEE and M TV were our favorite channels. I can’t forget the days of the VJ, Nonie, I used to make all efforts to imitate her. Our cable operator had his local channel which catered with movies. Soon we developed a fascination for movies. As we grew the channels also grew in number. Within no time, television became a huge industry. News channels and entertainment channels were mushrooming. By then, afternoons were fixed for our television viewing. We started watching the repeat telecast of ‘kyunki saas bhi kabhi bahu thi’, and ‘kahani ghar ghar ki’. They were like unending series’. What sense did they made; I have not yet been able to gather.

We covered a huge journey in life, from school to college to university to office but the serials kept their pace. When and where we lost track I can’t recollect. Present day television cannot be defined. Most news channels are not worth being news channels. Some hardly cover news but cover juicy stories that click the Indian crowd and they gain huge TRPs (television rating points) in return. They would make a story out of one’s private life and make it sensational with stings and reconstructions.

Some news channels seem to be astrological channels. News would be about an eclipses but the presenter would discuss the repercussions with an astrologer. These astrologers sound as if they are the voice of God. Incidents are hyped by repeated videos graphics and discussions. These news channels also have many spicy ghost and superstitious stories to attract the masses. Why forget the anchors who work upon their voice modulation and expression to give life to their lifeless stories? To their disappointment, their hard work does not bring life but made the story funny.

Journalism is demeaned when some anchors (so called journalists) present detailed reports of soaps and reality shows running on various channels. Entertainment channels are augmenting each day. With the ‘saas bahu’ episodes being weeded off, people are shifting towards reality shows. Where would the reality shows take us…?? It started long time back with antakshari followed by ‘sa re ga ma’, ‘meri aawaz suno’, ‘boogie woogie’ and since then there was no stopping. Then came ‘Indian idol’, voice of India, ‘big boss’, ‘khatron ke khiladi’ and now the list has added to its pride, ‘The perfect bride’, ‘Rakhi ka swayamvar’ and so on. One can imagine winning a million from ‘kaun banega crorepati’ or one can even imagine to be a part of big boss’ house as a non celebrity but can you imagine yourself selecting your life partner on television?

Most of us love to watch the talent hunt programmes but somehow I don’t appreciate the fights picked up by the judges. Why do the judges need to fight? If there is no bias, they must give their points and other must accept. This is what happens in real but in television; judges have to pick up a row and leave the sets and create a huge drama to become a center of attraction. Big boss’ house is no less than a film shooting arena, where all the members are in double layers of make- up. Do people actually live like this at home?

Let’s talk about some tele-serials. In the name of family shows they are showing everything. Why do family shows have intimate scenes? Certain things are obvious and can by covered more creatively rather than visualizing them. If you watch two or three serials in a row then you would get confused because the stories are almost same. These serials have the capacity to take you to a land where there are all sorts of tensions but no financial constraint. Women and their houses are decked up as if they are ready for a celebration. Early in the morning women wake up wearing a shining ‘sari’, face masked with make-up, long streams of vermilion and hands and neck loaded with jewelry…. Can anyone imagine sleeping like this…? But the serial queens are capable… It is very rare to find joint families in real life but most of the serials have joint families, otherwise it would be difficult to build the plots and too many locations would increase the cost of production… so they are emphasizing on the concept of joint family.

Most episodes of most serials starts with the dialogue by the lead which is not accepted by the rest of the family. With no further dialogue, half the episode is over just by showing the reaction of fifteen members with solid background music and some editing effects. There was a time when real life was longer than reel life but times are changing now….its for about a week that Veer and Tapassya were getting married in ‘Uttran’. Veer touched her hands during the ceremony but could not feel that the bride was not one he loved. Even if not by touch, then people can recognize close ones by the shape of fingers but even her parents failed to recognize their daughter. The girl got married and reached another her husband’s house but her parents were in oblivion… amazing!! Something impossible in real life.

Cartoons programmes are meant for the viewing of children but are they doing any good to children? There are many shows that are making them rebellious. Children watch these shows and they fight among themselves and try stunts which are dangerous. Animated shows which relate the stories of Indian mythology are giving some lessons but children are fascinated by the epic wars. Children are spotted playing with bow and arrows… Hats off to the advertisements, they have no ethical restrictions it seems. While watching a programme suddenly one is encountered by an advertisement and one has to either change the channel or just avoid looking into the eyes of the other person sitting beside.

So much is being said about the television, yet it is the biggest source of entertainment for the masses. People relate themselves to the television characters and ones addicted to a show cannot forgo an episode. There are women who even watch the repeat in the afternoons. If things are shown a bit rationally then for sure television can bring a huge change in the thinking and behaviour of the masses.

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written by Domarp, November 02, 2009

Yes..you are right television viewership is most accepted and prevalent in our society...and with spurt of new reality shows things have become murkier now...today it is only about TRP and nothing else....all of us enjoys at least few hours of television everyday...for me movies are ultimate source of entertainment, they are irresistible

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