As compared to the rather noisy and sometimes garish landscape of television programming; I find Star World's Rendezvous with Simi Garewal 'peace personified.' The show is a tranquil pool of whispered memories set in hues of classy white. In all, stylish Simi's trip is definitely not about 'spilling the beans' but somehow making her celebrity guests comfortably talk about themselves - and when I say talk, it's not glib talk but real time talking about their lives.

As I write this, I can't help but recall two of my favourite episodes. A highpoint in television viewing was when apni amma Jayalalitha was actually caught crooning sincerely on the show. And then there was the enigmatic Rekha sharing her beauty secrets - 'I'd survive on popcorn and often go on starvation diets to lose weight.'

Cut to the present, this Sunday night there was heartthrob of yesteryears Sanjay Khan talking to Simi about an alleged affair with one of his leading ladies. 'See, I am not God. I am human. I can falter. As often happens people do get linked to their leading ladies in this profession but I was never the one to give false expectations or use anyone.'

To this, wife Zarine joined in, 'These things happen but I was always sure that my marriage was not under threat. I knew, he'll always be mine and come back.

And true to her style, after having got her guests talking, Simi went - ooh! I know, how it is; it's not always easy talking about these things and that too after so many years. So, tell me how does it feel as a couple to have raised such a beautiful family?

Rendezvous, which is in its fifth season now, has definitely grown over the years. The sets and the décor have changed. Simi's finally changed her own look and has also loosened up as an anchor. Also, now we have more visuals which was not the case earlier. Like, this Sunday viewers got a peek into the lavish mansion of the Khans, his maharaja style lifestyle of hobnobbing with the rich and the famous.

What is striking about the show is how Simi always manages to present the celebrity in a different light. In this case, it was how the star's life came to a standstill, when he was in debt, had lost it all and was almost on the deathbed. To quote Sanjay Khan, - I've met death and that has made more humane and I live for today. It was sheer will power by which I've got everything back.'

Like they say, life comes full circle.

*****

On a similar note, I caught up with billionaire Donald Trump of Apprentice fame talking about how he made a fortune, then lost it and then made it again. It was on CNN's Quest with Richard. The Sunday episode covered the lifestyles of some of the richest moguls in the world and what was interesting was the analysis on the whole concept of money, enterprise and entrepreneurship.

In case you've missed the show. Here's a roundup of some of the quotable quotes Richard - So, Donald I've been told you're worth $ 2.7 billion dollars?

Trump - How does it make a difference? I'd say I am worth $ 5 billion or even more. After a point of time, money really doesn't make a difference. I am just having fun. But, I still continue to smell deals, though I still don't understand how I manage to do it all.

Among the others who were profiled on the show were Italian moneymaker Flavio Briatore and the flamboyant Richard Branson. For those wanting to know whether they can rake in the moolah, Branson advises: "Entrepreneurs are not made. You got to have it in your genes."

In all, the high profile anchor summed up the whole show with an interview with Dr Ronit Lami who's spent her life curing people of 'affluenza'. Now what is that? Well, it's a disease which afflicts you when you have too much money…. Gawd.

I would say, Quest, while tasting the high life himself, does make business reporting lighter and more interesting. Sometimes though his style of reportage does get a bit unnerving and annoying. Sorry for this…

*****

Coming back home, it's been raining money across news channels. Budget programming has been the flavour of the season and let's face it, sometimes it's the same old discussions with sit down experts in studios that sound the same every year. Apart from the regular stuff, I found consumer channel Awaaz's programming a bit different; simply because it was all planned from the point of view of the consumer. On a lighter vein, there was Javed Jaffrey doing a spoof on the tedious intricacies of money targeting the likes of Anil Ambani and Vijay Mallya.

*****

Meanwhile, Zee Smile managed to bring some smile to my face with a show Kuch Khatti, Kuch Meethi baatein. Anchor Anupam Kher is really good with kids, getting out their mischievous side in a pleasantly unstilted manner. It reminds me of the old show on Sab TV Say na something to Anupam Uncle. In all, the channel has a feel-good factor to it, with simple, fun programming. Isn't that what entertainment is all about?

Simmi Garewal's pic from: www.tribuneindia.com
Richard's pic from: www.cnn.com
Donald Trump's from: www.lfm-nrw.de