Recent random findings…..

While reading the news from a popular website, I discovered that the series Simpsons was pulled off from the state run Venezuelan TV because of complaints from people that it was not suitable for children. That time slot earlier reserved for the kids now plays Baywatch and no complaints have been received since then. Where was doordarshan when such important decisions had to be made?

Again back to the TV media. For this first time, to the best of my knowledge, an American series has borrowed an idea from an Indian one. Found that the series Ugly Betty bears an uncanny resemblance to an erstwhile Indian series called “Jassi jaisi koi nahi’. For the record, my knowledge about “jassi jaisi koi nahi” comes only from the ads and dinner time discussions at home.

Staying still on TV, there is a reality show that is called, “who wants to be a superhero - season2”. The name of the series itself should indicate that we are staring at the bottom of the barrel of reality TV. The series explores how the superhero in man comes out when he is faced with stark realities of being on television and when he is also forced to wear ridiculous superhero costumes. I am still finding it hard to believe that there’s a season 2 of this.

Still on TV, most Israeli cable channels have no ads. Indian channels, are you listening to this? Especially sports channels which show only 4 bowls of an over in cricket. And in spite of this, the Israeli channels are making money. Wondering if there will ever be Indian TV with lesser ads someday.

A well known, but not so popular Hindi new channel also hit rock bottom recently when it reported the news of the loss of the dog of a police commissioner of a small town as flash news. If this news channel has any conscience whatsoever, it’s high time that this channel got out of the reporting business. Credit goes to Pamsy for providing this important piece of information.

And finally a very interesting finding came to light from my recent trip to Jordan. Samsung also makes cars and this brand is very popular in Jordan for some reason. Evidently, cars are not their best selling product, it seems.