Popular TV shows, in some ways, give academicians a key-hole view into the social and economic conditions of the region & the viewers.

On the business end, the keen observer can estimate the behind-the-scenes working & the various firms associated with making the TV show. A few questions I can think of – “Who are the producers? What does the show talk about the screenwriting style? How are actors recruited? How are these shows funded and are studios profiting from said shows?” Then there’s the broadcaster who has commissioned these shows. “How often do they schedule the popular TV shows? Is this cable or pay-TV? What sort of advertisements do they place within these shows?” 

From the audience’s reaction, there’s so much we learn about the society in general. “Who are the main viewers of the show? Which of the show’s characters are most popular? How is the relation between characters depicted on screen? What social issues are addressed in this show? What purpose is fulfilled by watching this show?” So on and so forth.

A truck load of worthy questions that can be filed in by those more learned than me. So much can be discussed and debated on TV shows alone. Unfortunately, I find myself watching Indian TV shows less these days (grumble-office-grumble) and lesser in pursuit of academically studying them.

Which is why I was looking forward to reading Shoma Munshi’s latest book on this topic – “Remote Control: Indian Television in the New Millenium”.

Shoma Munshi is a social scientist with a distinguished career in academics. She has authored other books on Indian mass media and I was looking forward to her analysis of the subject. The publishers also make the claim overleaf stating that this “… book shows how everyday reality in India in the 21st century shapes television and how television, in turn, shapes us”

My one word review – DISAPPOINTING. The rest 1200 words explain just why.

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