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News
channels, which had probably resigned themselves to lower ratings during the world
cup, suddenly found they had more takers than the sports channels this week.  The
Sony clutch of channels continues to be the apple of the viewer's eye, of course,
but a whodunnit is bound to grab eyeballs by their sockets. Right from the time
the India and Pakistan teams tumbled to lesser names in the cricketing world and
got a thrashing in their respective countries, to the death-in-mysterious-circumstances
of Pak coach, Bob woolmer - news channels couldn't have asked for more. From sending
reporters to Ranchi to cover the destruction of Dhoni's half finished home to
despatching grim faced correspondents to the West Indies to cover the alleged
murder of the Pak coach, news channels needed little other material this week.
From
the BBC to our local newshounds, the electronic media continues to dig up Woolmer's
last interviews, last confidences, and soundbytes from his family and friends.
Cautious references and speculations about match fixing and Woolmer's knowledge
of the same are being bandied about, a natural consequence of his unnatural death.
If the media can and does unearth material that can shed light on the goings on
behind one of the biggest global events that has awesome money riding on it, it
will be well worth the effort. Till then, the viewer will have to be content getting
daily updates on the whodunnit that's rocked the cricket world this week. ****
| Getting
better with time  He
took some time, but SRK's got my vote now. His spontaneity's getting better by
the day, as are his wit and charm. Nit pickers may argue that just so often, Shah
Rukh appears to be egging on the hot seat participant to the right answer, instead
of letting the participant ponder on his own. And he continues to hand out cricket
bats and what nots, an unnecessary addition to a knowledge quiz. But then, this
isn't just another quiz, is it? Shah Rukh the entertainer succeeds in keeping
you rooted to your seats. Wisely though, the current season is due for a break
soon. Take a break while the going is good, Shah Rukh, and we will be waiting
when you return after the interval.
**** |
A pinch
more of Bollywood masala... Zee
Cafe's late night Xtreme slot has started a Bollywood section on weekends (what
else??) So, this Sunday we were taken through the US premiere of Mira Nair's The
Namesake by a distinctly NRI reporter, who got the requisite bytes from the
director, author and cast of the film, and interspersed the half hour gig with
some scenes from the film. Ho hum. What will be up next? Namesty London's premiere
in the UK? Give us something more original or stick to the action stunt episodes,
Zee. They make much better viewing.  The
battle royale begins next week. Smriti Iraani's big ticket show on Sony, Virrudh
launches Monday, as does Zee's Paresh Rawal production, Teen Bahuraniyan.
As if to counter the female power that will be unleashed by these shows, Star
Plus will hit back with hour long episodes combining three of Balaji's top shows
- Kyunki..., Kahaani... and Kayamath, on Monday and Tuesday.
If
you haven't been confused by the rambling stories of these soaps yet, this will
be something to definitely addle your brains.
****
 Couch
potato's copycat of the week - We all know the Adhikaris' have floated a Marathi
channel called Mee Marathi. Now, Zee has hit back with a new tagline for its existing
channel, Mee Marathi - Zee Marathi. Hmmmmm....
(The
views expressed here are those of the author and indiantelevision.com need not
necessarily subscribe to the same)
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