Originality is not something makers of Indian soaps and shows can boast of. Most reality shows owe their formats to foreign markets, and soaps are themed on tried and tested Ekta Kapoor sagas (who, too, picked up the 'joint family' theme from another long-forgotten series).

Now, even a series that had established itself as a successful show has felt the need to bring in Smriti Iraani, almost in her Tulsi avatar as benign matriarch, complete with the imagery of a tulsi plant in tow. Why a rising star like Zee, which has already established itself as a successful competitor to the dominating Star Plus and its Balaji shows, needs to ape the fading leader is a mystery. It's like acknowledging the continuing overwhelming shadow that Ekta and her soaps cast over the entire TV scenario in the country. Zee's 'bahuraniyan' were doing a good enough job on their own, without needing the shoulders of the 'country's most famous bahu' to cry on. Why Zee, why?

And why can't these and other bahuraniyan get real and get closer to the viewers? Star World's Desperate Housewives, in spite of showcasing a 'firang' culture, are yet so real...they don't wake up with heavy mascara on their eyelashes and make no bones about expressing their frustrations by banging doors. They all have issues with mothers-in-law, problematic teenage daughters and no good husbands; but Bree, Lynette, Susan and company don't get their problems solved by an overdressed maternal aunt who bows before a tulsi plant every time she needs to make either a mundane or life-saving decision.

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Star World's other less talked about show American Inventor is just as original, spontaneous and fun to spend a Sunday evening with. Last weekend, the trio of judges had a tough time turning away earnest participants who thought they had come up with the best invention since the wheel - when all they had created were cup holders, fancy lingerie and a table top game. What sets the show apart is the very concept that feeds on the enterprising American spirit, accompanied by crisp editing and some (staged?) dramatics. Zee's Shabash India came close, feeding on the Indian aptitude for breaking records of the most dramatic and sometimes, inane kind. Unfortunately, it had to be shot on location for most of the acts and lacked cohesiveness.

While on foreign shows, Disney's High School Musical 2 has it all - pace, energy, peppy youngsters and to top it all, a music score commissioned for Indian audiences - done specially by Shankar Ehsaan Loy. What more could one want? The show is pure fluff, but the music is gripping enough to keep even the elders to their seats.

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Star One's new show Anu Ki Ho Gayi etc etc had Anu as a chef cooking up exotic dishes in its promos. But for the most part, the inaugural week concentrated on getting Anu married and the entire family engrossed in the preparations. How is it supposed to be 'different' from all that we have seen on TV thus far?

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Couch potato tip - With Mir Ranjan Negi out of the fray, Jjhalak Dikkhla Jaa is down to the final three for a finale this weekend. If you are still interested in watching a fight to the finish between Prachi Desai, Jay Bhanushali and Sandhya Mridul, tune in.