Jul 16, 2003 06:09 PM
1720 Views
(Updated Jul 17, 2003 10:04 AM)
Our leaders do not debate. Debate is not what you call it. Catfight is more like it. Though cats do not hurl microphones and chairs at each other. (and if you say ''that is because they do not have opposable thumbs'' get a life! )
I usually try to write humorous reviews. And it is impossible to derive any humor from our televised parliament sessions. Or is it?
I propose an alternate approach to this whole business. At one point in time, the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), was called the World Wrestling Federation, until the governing bodies and the powers that be, decided that it was more entertainment than sport, and named it appropriately.
How does the name ''Parliament Entertainment Show'' sound to you? Or say, a prime time 52 part series called ''Political Action'' (what better action than people throwing chairs at one another)
Heck, we could even advertise. Have you ever seen the advertisements for ''girls gone wild''? Now imagine advertisements running on all major channels, saying ''Now, Live from New Delhi, India, comes the best of 'politicians gone wild'. See them as they shout each other down. See them as they interrupt speeches and heckle speakers using the wildest profanities. Watch it right from the comfort of your own home! And for an extra fee, we can even provide VIP room access. Why watch ordinary politicians battle when you can see the VIP's battle it out, face to face, man to man, illiterate corrupt politician to illiterate corrupt politician?''
In fact, I suspect this has been done already. Have you noticed that the political debates are just a waste of time, eventually bills are passed on the basis of money exchanging hands.
This concept is even better than reality TV. Reality TV packages reality and sells it as a show. This packages what is a show anyway, and sell it as reality. I can imagine the tremendous revenue it will generate. Advertisers will queue to be seen and heard against the backdrop of ''political action''.
They might need to pass a few bills to facilitate this concept of selling the parliament session tapes to the highest bidder (and we all know what that means) and generating advertising revenue. Those bills can be quickly gotten out of the way. Just like the bill which increased their salaries was passed in a days time. It created new records.
Speaking of creating records, we could even sell ''Parliament Entertainment Show'' in audio.
''Quadraphonic Stereo sound will place you right in the middle of the action. Hear hushed bribes being made right in your living room. Hear the speaker helplessly trying to control ''debates'' as if you yourself were there! Uncensored! The original tapes! Get them NOW for just Rs 999.99. And if you order now, we'll even send you the two part mini series 'the non-corrupt indian politicians' (fiction) absolutely FREE!''
What can you do? Send a letter to your local administrator and tell him you want this plan implemented (or made public if already implemented). Perhaps brought up for ''debate'' in the next session of parliament. We could then include that session in the tapes, what a hit it will be!
Like I said, finding humor in the political situation in our country, is pointless.
As always, comments awaited. (and Rs.999.99)
