Tuesday, October 25, 2005

C-real addiction!

In Chennai, for that matter, through out India, TV (mega) Serials have become a part of daily routine. I am neither a mega serial watcher nor a mega serial basher. Its just that most people seem to be complaining about their parents/relatives/friends' addiction to these mega serials. Some thoughts that I've been having about its whys and hows.

Recently, a friend called me to find out the name of the movie, 'Kannadi Pookkal'. His parents had come to visit from India and he wanted to rent some DVDs to keep them occupied during the day while he was away at work. He also wanted to know if they were any other movies suitable(!!) for their viewing and I just could not come up with any!! I may be stereo-typing them but really there are no Visu/V. Sekar style movies these days, isn't it? Even the few 'good' movies are about undertakers, immature lovers, murder suspects etc. Probably thats one reason why 'ms' is scoring now as most of them are about families, their problems etc.

These days with most house-holds having both spouses working or living abroad, the elders have nothing but the television to help pass time. I remember my grandfather who would push those boring evening hours going for walks or sitting in his 'easy-chair' and chatting with passers-by! I never realised how tough it would've been for him. That way, how different are we here. We too switch on the televisions the minute we enter home. How many of us don't watch reality shows, Friends(repeated for the umpteenth time!) etc.

I do agree that the creators of these 'ms' should stop competing in writing more sob-sob type stories. Guess, like movie industry which when making few films in those days made quality movies. But once every Tom, Dick and Harry started making movies, the quality deteriorated.

BTW, if you are wondering why I am so supportive of these serial addicts, I am also a 'cereal' addict!! The cereal aisle is my favourite in any supermarket and if my favourite type is on sale or if a new exciting type has come to market, I go bonkers!! I got into this cereal eating habit to set a good example to my daughter. Today whether my daughter has got into that habit or not, I have become an addict!!

P.S. - My mother tells me that nobody gossips these days! First of all, nobody has the time to chat with anyone or they will miss their dear 'ms'. Even if they do find time, it is mostly about the characters of those 'ms'!!!

11 comments:

Balaji said...

darn! i was thinking about a 'in defense of megaserials' post and u've beaten me to it :)

but excellent analysis of what makes them click. the lack of 'family' movies out there today was a very good point. i have a few more points but i gotta save them for my post :)

btw, i'm a cereal lover too. i don't go bonkers over new varieties but i can eat(and i have eaten) cereal any time of the day. whats your fav?

mitr_bayarea said...

me_too:great post at the right time too. We had Sun Tv installed at our place for a week, then had to take it off as the apartment guys were making a big deal with the dish being seen above the patio etc..Anyways, for that one week, i briefly watched some scenes from serials on and off and oh my god-the women who act in them and the tears and the emotional drain they try to do..hmm!

I hate cereals, can't stand them for a breakfast.

Me too said...

Balaji, naane late-nnu nenachen with this post! Awaiting your post(megaserials ellam mudiyara varaikkum vekkadheenga!)
4Basic is my all time favourite but anything oats and/or honey is fine too. Plus the occasional stealing of my daughter's cheerios!

Mitr, that is so bad that you had to cancel your dish connection b'cos of apartment policy.
Neenga enna me-no-eat-breakfast kind-a?

Vijay Ramamurthi said...

I eat c-real everyday..no choice..kaarthala yaaravathu suda suda idli panni potta nanna irukkum :)

Anonymous said...

Yeah.. very true.. Earlier, TV was ON the whole day only during sunday.. now I think, sunday is the day with less MS's so must be least watched..

For one month, we had TV here with 100+ channels.. Felt most of them boring.. so now no TV at home.. What we watch is our choice.. So we get quite a good time for each other (that is when laptop doesnt stay at home)..:-)

Me too said...

Vijay, 'than kaiye thanakkudhavi'!!

Raju, Yes, we have also given up TV but instead have become internet addict!

Vijay Ramamurthi said...

than kayaa...hmmm..appo serialaa parellelaa ellam cereal saapda vandi thaaan!!!!!!!

mitr_bayarea said...

me_too: i am not me-no-eat bearkfast category, in fact, i think that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But, cereal breakfast is not my thing- i am more a doughnut, muffin, croissant, banana bread breakfast eater.

Me said...

if possible tell ur friend to give sun tv connection ...that would help his parents.....

and i hate cereals.....

Me too said...

Vijay, oru mini circus vidhdhai kaattidunga(cereal, excercise-good healthy lifestyle-aayidum!)

Mitr, semma gutsy female-lunga neenga! Photos-ellam pottu dhool kelapiteenga!!

me, some parents are agreeing to come to visit only after getting sun tv connection!!
mega serials are better than cereals, huh?

Vijay Ramamurthi said...

thanks :)