Monday, November 5, 2007

Are these celebs unknowingly promoting paparazzi?

Thanks to my wife, I have started religiously following the popular celebrities' dance realty TV show "Nach Baliye". Of two episodes in a week, the first one is really focused on showcasing the celebrities dance talent. One couple gets eliminated every week and the viewers get to know about the unfortunate ones in the second episode. Seems like the sole purpose of doing a full-length second episode just to announce the couple getting eliminated is to cash in on the huge popularity of the show. Thats debatable, but equally justifiable.

In this week's second episode telecasted on 3rd Nov, an entire section of the program was devoted to show to the viewers around the world, a video coverage of Diwali shopping spree of one of the star-couples. The couple, being videographed in their own car, went through their shopping list of what, why ,and for whom.
If this gimmick becomes successful with the audience, would not every other channel or printed media start doing the same thing? Though this particular one is very much consensual, doesnt this eventually lead to paparazzi and an attack on celebrities' personal life ? Now, if the celebrities willingly let the common man know what they do with their personal time, then obviously he would want to know everything they do in their personal time, no matter how private it is. Are they ready for this eventuality?

By showing what a certain Mr and Mrs X shop for their parents and in-laws, is the TV channel doing justice for the time and money of lakhs of people watching the show ? The TV channel/media can always say that such things are a hit with the public and they show what people like. But dont they have the responsibility to lead people's thoughts rather than following it ?