Wow! One more reality show based on Quiz and dealing with cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh and below to the winner of every episode, is being telecast every Monday-Tuesday night on E-TV. Aadesh Bandekar, (Bhaoji fame) is back on small screen as the host of this Quiz show. Wow! Which is a new Quiz programme for three participants at a time, selected either from public or invited celebrities from Marathi films and TV serials.

The quiz that runs into three to four sessions based on questions from Marathi films and general knowledge besides two fun games had a slight change onTuesday 22nd June episode comprising of celebrities like Deepali Sayyad, Kranti Redkar and Resham Tipnis, which was won by Deepali. In this show, the participants are provided with cash of Rs. 5 lakh each by one Kitty Kuber, (who assists the host) who also takes away the cash when the participants fails to answer the question. In short, this show benefits only the ultimate winner who answers maximum questions correctly and who is able to score also in the fun game.

Now, as long as the questions on Marathi films continue, it is fine, otherwise switching to questions on Hindi films would spoil the real fun of the show. It would also encourage viewers to watch more and more marathi films. And, on the 22nd June episode, we observed two participants questioned with marathi films, whereas one participant Resham was questioned on a Hindi film, as if we don’t have enough Marathi films.

The other TV Marathi reality shows have already spoiled their show by mixing of Hindi and English in Marathi programmes. Vow! is more popular in the presence of celebrities from Marathi films and TV serials. However, it would be better, if they also include the popular Marathi stage artistes, to make it more interesting. One does not know, the criteria about the selection of invitees and it would be wise thing to disclose the selection process of participants, both general and celebrity category to bring in more transparency into the programme.

For any reality show to popularize, it is necessary to involve the audience in a big way ; but that does not happen in this programme. Initially, before start of the programme, there used to be announcement about sending SMS for participation, but there are no such repeated announcements to attract new viewers. Marathi programmes based on Quiz should necessarily have a simultaneous Quiz for viewers, watching such programme; and if their selection is made as a participant for the forthcoming episode, it would certainly generate more interest among others. Instead of inviting all celebrities together, it would be more appropriate to have one celebrity per programme; so that viewers would participate in large number.

Most of the Hindi or Marathi reality shows get the inspiration or ideas from American or English TV reality shows; but when it comes to involvement of viewers, they fail to show the transparency. Winning the trust of the viewers, is the key to success, for any reality show.

by Ulhas Shirke © MMW