How much more of the reality sagas?
by Meenakshi Shankar
Apr 29, 2008, Mumbai.

     Seems strange that just about every channel has gone over the top in carving a niche in the reality show segment and the viewers, to be quite honest, how much more of singing and dancing can they take? But then, looks like our channels are not going to give up until and unless they crack every combination of the reality shows.      The first step in the many steps to follow was searching for new talent in platforms like Sa Re Ga Ma or the Indian Idol. Later, the shows veered towards honing our celeb's skill sets...be it the Nach Baliye or Say Shaava Shaava. And it was not just restricted to singing and grooving to the beats of the drums. It manifested into voyeurism - which we pass off by the name of Bigg Boss, Comedy Circus or the Laughter Challenge - shows where we were forced to watch what the channel deemed was the current rage became the norm of the day. And what did the channels do? Oh, they patted each other and said, "At least we are giving our viewers a break from the daily soap."      There's definitely not a dearth for creative talent! So then, why are we not capable of making sitcoms like Friends or Desperate Housewives? If we are borrowing from the West, why are we not borrowing concepts like these?      Why are the Indian viewers dished out only what the channels deem fit for them to view - and in this case, either reality shows or never ending rhona-dhona soap sagas!  Thanks to the IPL, at least there's a variety in content. For a change, we are watching something that is either not singing or dancing (of course, one cannot count the cheerleaders). Should we admire the channels for dishing out more reality shows or should we admonish them for dishing out more of this saga.      A popular saying - "Too much of anything is bad news." And, someone ought to remind our channels that the bubble's just waiting to burst, so they had better pull up their socks and watch their step. And today's grapevine, Sony's yet again putting another ring in the singing reality show - Yeh Shaam Mastani, with Sunidhi Chauhan, Kailash Kher and Shaan!