Back in 1975 Ptv launched a game show Neelam Ghar which was conducted by Tariq Aziz.It awarded prizes (sponsored by commercial companies) based upon answers to general knowledge questions,poetry competitions and compatibility between newly weds.It also featured interviews of showbiz personalities,songs and other segments but it was mainly known for its prizes based upon general knowledge questions.The show ran successfully for many years,ended then began again in 2006 by a new name of Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz albeit not as popular as it used to be.
In the meantime,private TV Channels also came up with a similar concept awarding prizes sponsored by commercial companies in their Special Ramazan live transmissions.These prizes were awarded based on religious knowledge,hamds and naats etc.One channel started it and other channels caught up the trend like wild fire.Soon every channel had its own Ramazan Transmission having opulent sets,Iftari arrangements and lots of prizes.It soon turned into a ratings game with programs featuring a live conversion of a Christian to a Muslim to inviting a singer on the show and insulting him etc.
Seeing the popularity of these programs and the ratings they got Geo decided to come up with its own game show Inaam Ghar hosted by Amer Liaquat Hussain.This show which started in January 2014 does not test the knowledge of its participants.It relies on cheap games like eating maximum number of noodles in minimum possible time,cycling with your wives sitting behind you,juggling balls and what not.It also gives prizes for those who have a mirror in their purse,who are wearing a nose pin etc.The show is immensely popular ratings wise.
Seeing its popularity on ratings chart ARY launched its own game show Jeeto Pakistan in May 2014.It’s hosted by Fahad Mustafa is on similar lines and gives away prizes like bikes,cell phones,TV Sets,gift hampers etc based to winners of petty games and those having petty items in their purses/wallets/child of certain age/newly wed etc.
Lately Hum TV has also launched its game show Jeet Ka Dum having Faisal Qureshi as host and now Samaa is coming up with a show Jeet ka Samaa to be conducted by Sahir Lodhi.
What these shows are essentially doing are introducing a culture of easy money wherein you just need to do some petty chore and easily walk away with a cell phone,tv or a gift hamper.In a society filled with individuals already looking for short cuts,this is a really alarming trend and needs to be discouraged.
Secondly these shows are hurting the integrity of its participants.Seemingly educated and sophisticated people are seen gulping down gol guppay,noodles or spicy stuff or weight weight uncles carrying equally heavy weight aunties on bikes just to get a prize.It looks beyond their dignity.The participants look ridiculous to the viewers and maybe even to themselves but hey they get something!
I have nothing against the hosts of any of these shows nor am I against anyone winning a prize.By all means but can’t it be done by simulating the intellectual/creative cells of the participants.It would give rise to a much better society.Even if it can’t be done,the level of ridiculousness of the games/tasks should be reduced and prizes shouldn’t be awarded based on a baby wearing pink,someone having a mouth freshner in purse,someone newly wed etc.
– Haseeb Ahmed