Selling Emotions..........

Its an old saying "Nothing sells like Flesh and Blood" but i differ here take a look at on going reality shows and that will confirm what I say . Last night I was watching Indian Idol. This show is not about searching singing talent in India its about cashing on human emotions whether it may be of viewers contestants anyone as long as they are lucrative they are used.

When last two contestant are left and everyone knows one of them will be kicked off our host realizes importance of this moment and understands that this needs to be cashed he firsts lists all the prizes that winner will be getting but adds one of them will be missing all this. This acts as catalyst in getting emotions out for all involved in this game. Then he/she turns to parents or kin of one of the contestants and asks what according to me is most stupid question to be asked. He asks how will they feel if their child is thrown out of competition? What does he and all other viewers expect as answer? Well we feel great and at the top of the world there can be nothing better in life then being thrown out of competition were prize money is in millions and fame earned cannot be accounted. Is this we expect answer...off course not everyone knows that anyone will feel disappointed dejected but why this stupid question its like asking will today there be sunset? Host ask this so as to provoke all kind of emotions out of viewers and participants he need to get people emotionally involved because this is what his show sells.
Just when he realizes that all are at high of sentiments he tries to announce who is being thrown out of show before that camera quickly rolls up on contestants, judges, kin of contestants making sure that those viewers who somehow managed not to get emotional finally get by looking contestant kins praying, crying. Host again pretend to announce the result but he knows he need to announce something more important yes a commercial break.

They return after so called short commercial break and after evoking few more emotions announces finally the looser. Its not over yet, they know public sympathy is with looser just now so lets cash this too they ask looser to sing for one last time. Rest of the contestant join the looser to console him and at the same time rejoicing that they are there for at least one more week.

Is this what we called entertainment ? we get entertain by watching others in pain or may be we empathize with the contestants and all our emotions are being cashed. Any reality show has same motto, aim to cash on viewers emotions. We are getting entertained by watching people loose something which is very important in life. Do we sympathize with them ? or its sigh of relief for us thinking "oh its not only me who is loosing there are others also". We cant be happy watching someone unknown who is not related to us win all accolades and money but yes we are happy watching someone loose, watching someone suffer, watching someone's dream being shattered......