Reality television is another genre in the television industry. It is just an add-on to the daily soap category and people do watch with great enthusiast. Reality television is basically an unscripted dramatic situation, featured by ordinary people not professionals. *
After the success of American Idol, FremantleMedia came to India with bag full of ideas which finally got into shape as Indian Idol.* Indian Idol is only reality television show which became a big hit in its first season, though it’s not the first reality show in Indian television. Before Indian Idol there was Channel V Super Singer, Channel V Pop Star etc. But after the success of Indian Idol, lots more hit the Indian television like Fame Gurukul, MTV Roadies, Saregamapa, Big Boss and many more. Most of them are remake version of foreign television series.
Well, I am not here to discuss which is a foreign remake show and which is not. I am here to state and put question to the readers of this review that “How real are these Reality Television Shows?” I have mentioned earlier that reality television shows are unscripted dramatic situations. But my question is regarding its accuracy. My standpoint is that how is it possible a non-professional speaking and enacting flawlessly in front of the camera? I believe there is a script which they follow. Another point which I am engrossed is that they have camera everywhere, which records all and every activities of the participants is again acting not reality. *
When I was pursuing my mass communication we had a discussion on the same topic regarding all the steps taken by the producer is just to increase the TRPs (Television Rating Point). The maneuvers even include the frequent argument between the judges, contestants, presenters. *
In the last episode of Indian Idol Gala (27/07/07 episode) there was a severe argument between the two judges, Anu Mallik and Alisha Chennoy on a comment given to one of the contestant named Deepali. According to Anu Mallik Deepali didn’t sing well and he said, “Your crush is crushing your voice”, which again according to Alisha is a bad comment. Alisha said crush and love (Love was the theme of the day’s gala) is something personal and should not be comment on. She also said a contestant should be judged on his/her performance and nothing else.*
What are we suppose to interpret from this? Was it ‘Real’ or ‘Reel’? If we do consider it as real, immediately next question comes to my mind; all the other reality shows which are on air are following the same formula. My question actually falls here, are all these shows where argument takes place are real? Ask me I personally feel that these are not real but reel, by which I mean these are all scripted just to swell TRP.*
But before concluding I must say that I respect there strategy, one have to do something or the other to maintain the standard, because I believe in the saying, “The Show Must Go On”!!!!!*