Masala and morality

With the Bigg Boss mired in controversy and Pamela Anderson's sizzling entry into the most watched house on the block, parents and educators on where one should draw the line

With Bigg Boss plunging into more controversy the Information and Broadcasting (I & B) Ministry first ordering the television show to be aired at 11 pm instead of 9 pm (though the show will be aired at 9 pm after the Bombay High Court stay order) and the entrance of Pamela 'Baywatch' Anderson, a moral debate has started revolving around reality television.



Some explicit content and abusive language, have people cleaved into twou00a0 are these shows family viewing or do they deserve an adults slot?

"It is an entertainment programme with good masala," says 10-year-old Shobha Abraham. "Manoj Tiwari and Khalli are my favourite," she adds. For Shobha and her family, Bigg Boss is a family get-together.
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The reality show is regularly watched and thoroughly enjoyed by the Oomans. "It is a sort of reality check for my kids.

You view the big, bad world through our television which is just a reflection of what actually happens in real life," explains Abraham Ooman, Shobha's father.u00a0 When asked about his favourite contestant, Ooman says it is the great Khalli and TV actress Dolly Bindra.

"Bindra unlike other contestants stands by what she thinks is right whereas Ashmit and Aachal are all superficial," he explains.

But Keya Dutta (64), grandmother of a 7-year-old vehemently opposes the show. "Bigg Boss was different when it was started. Over a few days it is become just disgusting," says an upset Dutta.
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"I don't watch the show when my grandson is around. Imagine what effect will it have on kids if they watch such uncivilised people on television," adds a concerned Dutta.

Psychiatrists feel that Bigg Boss is definitely not a programme for kids and even grown ups should maintain a proper balance while watching such shows.

"It tends to appease our voyeuristic attitude which is a natural human tendency but sometimes we tend to go overboard. For kids, these shows might inculcate some unhealthy habits in them. Other shows like say the Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) would be a wiser option," elaborates Dr. Fabian Almeida, psychiatrist.

For 24-year-old Akshay Hudar, it is more of a stress buster. "It's all made up. To me it is just good entertainment," says Hudar. It is also a hot topic of discussion amongst hisu00a0 friends. "We tend to discuss the show in case something interesting happens," he adds.

Another social activist believes that it is Pamela Anderson's entry, which has boosted the viewership of the programme. "I did not watch the programme before but with Anderson's entry I have started taking an interest in the show. It is definitely getting hotter everyday," he explains.

As Bigg Boss climbs the popularity charts, many parents are so concerned that they have altogether stopped their kids from watching TV serials.

"As parents, it is our responsibility to make sensible choices for our kids. Kids see all of this and it affects them. We as parents should try and protect our children," says Urmi Bhatt, mother of a 6-year-old daughter, who does not allow her child to watch television serials.

Aishwarya Rai
If fights are the way to raise TRPs just think what the Salman Khan-Ash combine would do for television ratings.

Baba Ramdev
With the sexual calisthenics on the show drawing ire and fire, the yoga guru can teach the inmates deep breathing and contortions yoga style.

Mallika Sherawat
As The Bigg Boss houses several out of work actors. Also, can give Ms Anderson a run for her money in the clothing crunch contest.

Naseem Khan
The State Textile Minister, would get an impetus re-start Mumbai mills looking at the textile-challenged Ms Pamela Anderson.

Kiran Bedi
This unruly bunch needs some tough, policing. The former top cop can give them a dash of it, Bedi-ishtyle.

Anjolie Ela Menon
The artist can paint inspired by the Bigg Boss House and auction them for crores at an art-house to collectors called the Bigg Boss Collection.

Viswanathan Anand
One of the sharpest brains in the world would invite no wrathu00a0 simply because this has pawn-o-graphic content of the acceptable kind.

Lalit Modi
The Indian Premier League (IPL) chief, who is now prime scapegoat in the IPL muck,u00a0 can be safe and sound in this house in Lonavala.

Our contestants for the House of Bigg Boss

Now, that Dolly Bindra and Sameer Soni have been evicted from the House of Bigg Boss (all publicity antics one can hear people shouting) for getting into fisticuffs and Pamela Anderson has made her entry, here is a tongue-in-cheek list of Bigg Boss inmates who would be apt to join Pamela in the house for various reasons.

Falguni Pathak
The dandiya queen can teach Pamela Anderson to gyrate Gujju style. Talk about the global Gujju, Pam can shake it to Pam hoon main, Pari hoon main style.

Ashok Rao Chavan
Now that the Adarsh scam has resulted in his ouster, he can loll on those bean bags that the inmates seen to favour and dream about the one who spilled the beans.

Pankaj Advani
The billiards champion who won a gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games in Guanzhou (China) simply because he could use the cue to devastating effect.u00a0

Ratan Tata
Blow the whistle (made of Tata steel) on whether reality shows are real or simply scripted. Tata has recently blown the whistle on a minister.