Down with the clone syndrome
Although their aim is to provide entertainment for their viewers, the real objective of most TV serials is to impress advertisers and generate as many commercials as possible. Entertainment for the viewers is often relegated to the sidelines. "And why not?" one may ask. After all, everybody is out to make money. But then, in their haste to rake in the revenues, is it necessary to copy a successful idea? We have numerous examples in the television industry where producers try to outrun each other to copy a programme or a story concept that is already a raving success with the audience.

There was a time when most of the soaps focussed on family feuds, which was followed by an overdose of serials revolving around extra marital affairs. Later, many such trends followed but most of the time, the copies were nowhere near the original in terms quality. With the advent of so many new channels, good concepts have become far more scarce.

What is even more intriguing is that even the Indian copies of foreign shows are further copied by others, simply because they have become a rage on television. Kaun Banega Crorepati, a clone of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, is one such show that is currently generating numerous clones. The original show is successfully telecast in 26 countries. But can the Indian clones of a clone create the same euphoria? Or will they simple fizzle out as a bad joke?
Why is it that instead of repeating an idea that has already clicked, producers do not think of more innovative ideas to give to the audience? After all, television does have some social commitments towards viewers, who generally do not like watching the same thing in different forms over and over again. It is very tiring. And this viewer-fatigue due to over-exposure of similar concepts then results in loss of viewership not only for the new ones but also for long-running programmes.

This also proves that viewers cannot be taken for granted. Though they may appreciate a good programme, they refuse to be overfed with the same variety of programming. "However good a dish is why would I like to eat it morning evening, all through the week", once a media critic had spoken. Wise comparison, why indeed! Although most of the clones produced so far, whether on television or even in films, have proved to be utter failures, the folly is repeated time and again.............. of packed and ready to eat meals? Whatever the reason, they are veering away from the core business of entertaining the viewer. Their sole criteria is as much of money as possible by doing a piggy ride stunt on the success of something that is already there-even if the ride is very short.

We are talking of programs. Even the regional channels mushroomed dime a dozen when one channel in that particular language accomplished results. But with limited number of viewers it became the race for the survival of the fittest and a little more innovating channel. Others are gasping for breath since no one can live on stale air for long. So what is the bottom line-that focus of programming heads and producers has to move more towards entertainment and creativity.

Copying gives success like Fizz of soda water bottle. It shoots up and then falls flat that too without making a sound. Why not take a risk, be more creative and create for the liking of the audience? If nothing, it will provide some freshness and variety entertainment, to the viewers. The objective of generating revenues is important but should that be the reason to loose out on originality and creativity even without giving fair trial?

Pradeep Dixit