24 Belvedere Estate

Recruiting Gods To Sell Programming

Posted on | August 23, 2009 | 7 Comments

It’s Sunday and it’s Ganapati time in Mumbai.

A welcome respite from the overbearing specter of Swine Flu.

And young Ganapati has his annual task pretty clearly chalked out.

As the saying goes, nothing moves in Mumbai till this young elephant God’s blessings are taken.

He is the unofficial CEO of the city.

He is the Remover of All Obstacles.

Possibly the reason why, this year, even television channels are seeking his blessings in their hunt for greater TRPs.

Picture this.

The Star News anchor introduces us to Lord Ganapati, Lord Shiva and Parvati.

Ganapati is introduced as the God who is worshipped before any other God.

Shiva and Parvati indulgently look on.

The anchor goes on to talk about Saas, Bahu & Saazish.

Lord Shiva innocently asks – “What is Saas, Bahu & Saazish”?

(Isn’t the destroyer of all evil supposed to know it all?)

Nevertheless, the anchor explains.

We go on, as part of the program, to see small clips of programs like Sach Ka Saamana and Channel V’s eXhausted, among others.

The Gods look on with interest.

I honestly didn’t know they would find reality TV so cool.

Especially if you consider the fact that the almighty keeps an eye on the biggest reality show ever.

Yeah that’s us – you, me, neighbor, neighboring country, global warming, politics, cricket etc etc.

As the episode of Saas, Bahu & Saazish ends, the anchor seeks their blessings.

Ganapati, seated between Shiva and Parvati, holds the Star News branded mike in his hands.

The Gods bless the anchor and the show closes.

Sweet, no?

I guess there is a large audience that will smile adoringly at this.

And go on to add to the TRPs of the channel.

I am also waiting to see the day when the Gods will actually don the role of anchors.

And read the NEWS, possibly?

(This post was first published Here on Desicritics)

Category: Desicritics, Opinion, Satire, Television
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Comments

  • http://www.facebook.com/bipin.trehan Bipin Trehan

    Whatever works. TV channells will do anything to sell their wares. Religion and using god/god's words is one good tactic in lndia. Religion has been used successfully by leaders and politicians over the centuries and across the globe to jump the popularity meter….why not TV channels? I guess this tactic is better (more digestable) than using skimpily clad models :)

  • http://rahuljauhari.com/ Rahul Jauhari

    I found it all pretty silly actually :-)

  • http://www.cockybox.com cockybox

    Television is loosing out on what it once was – good entertainment for the family. Now its just blabber. It won't be too long before people start switching the tube off and start doing something worthwhile with their time. I personally prefer the internet. Could it be possible that people evolve from the medium?

  • http://rahuljauhari.com/ Rahul Jauhari

    I think it has less to do with the medium, more to do with content.
    With time, people will seek & choose richer content – and gravitate to the medium that offers the best content with the maximum ease.
    Television or Internet?
    Who knows tomorrow both may merge?
    Whichever way it goes, content will be king.
    And content providers (that includes channels) will lose or win on that basis.
    It is a long, never-ending argument.

  • http://twitter.com/naked2nirvana Naked2Nirvana

    Me of the opinion that religion has always been a huge money spinner. But what I find amusing is that news channels will sell their mothers if thats what it takes – “lekin yeh chotti se break ke baad”.

    Rahul very interesting take :)

  • http://rahuljauhari.com/ Rahul Jauhari

    Thanks N2N

  • http://rahuljauhari.com/ Rahul Jauhari

    Thanks N2N