A mixed package

SEVERAL FRIENDS had strongly recommended Kadi TV on the Jaya channel for a hearty laugh. Hence, I took time off on two consecutive Sunday evenings to watch it at 9-00 p.m. Expectations were very high but I was sadly disappointed.

It was a mock session of "Kaun Banega Crorepati" and since there has been an overdose of it everywhere on the small and big screen, the programme appeared a bit stale. Even ambrosia in large quantities is supposedly not so sweet!

The only participant was asked questions which had four likely answers, but each time he selected an answer that was not offered the choices. An occasional question thrown in evoked some laughter.

Like the question: Which king (raj) is associated with an umbrella? The options were Pandya Raj, Chola Raj, Chera Raj and Pallava Raj. But the contestant selected Bhagyaraj! He explained that one of the director's films was titled "Thooral Ninnu Pochu" and hence, he had no occasion to use an umbrella. I am afraid much of the show was slapstick and bordering on the silly.

Finally (to my relief), the man was crowned 'Pichadhipathi (the computer had marked him right for everything) and awarded a broken utensil and a lid. I feel that unless you come up with new ideas and incorporate them, you will be washed out in the highly competitive world of television.

In contrast, the show that followed for the next half hour was interesting - The Britannia Milk Bikis Quiz Time. To me any programme is worth viewing if we benefit to a certain extent from it. Also, if it scores in entertainment value too, then there are no two opinions that the show acquires a super good rating.

Three schools were represented by two participants each in the quiz. The music score by Shivakumar was good but the best thing about the show was the quiz master, V.C. Karthic. He was energetic, brisk, alert and conducted the show in a fast-paced manner.

The usual general round was followed by a difficult 'Frame the Question', audio visual and rapid fire rounds. The questions were relevant and interesting and the answers really worth knowing.

Since they were school children, there was a spelling round and the kids fell easy victim to the glaring trap in it. Imagine oedema beginning with an 'e' and phlegmatic with 'f'.

It is obvious that children are not strong in spelling though they may be spilling with new words in their vocabulary. Mere written work, dictation, viewing and reading should set the error right, I presume!

The saving grace was that the break for the jingles was short. The half hour was well packaged and recommended for a productive, relaxed viewing on Sunday evenings, when you bear in mind Diogenes' quote: "The only good is knowledge and the only evil ignorance".

THARA MOHAN RAO

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