Reality shows have come under the scanner after two contestants suffered major injuries recently.
Reality shows have come under the scanner after two contestants suffered major injuries recently. While the first, a 16-year-old girl, was struck down by a temporary paralytic attack after being publicly chided by judges for her poor performance in a dance competition, the other was a 22-year-old man who almost drowned while trying to stay under water.
In their bid to attract more TRPs, reality shows are going all out to grab public attention. But the recent incidents have highlighted that little is being done to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of participants.
Dr Harish Shetty, consultant psychiatrist at LH Hiranandani Hospital, tells Aniruddha Guha what channels can do to make things easier for participants.
What steps should be taken by channels and production houses to reduce stress among participants?
Reality show organisers must make the participants understand that the show and its result are not the be-all and end-all of life. Winning or losing depends on the compatibility between a participant’s talent and the judge’s decision. Participants should be told to be ready for surprises. There will be highs and lows. Contestants must be ready for both. The show is meant to be a joyful experience. Joy need not always be about success. Participants must be taught to embrace success and failure with equal grace.
In addition to these, the channel should ensure the presence of a counsellor on the sets. At the same time, it should not be a ploy to increase TRPs. I remember seeing a show which broadcast its participants being counselled. Some things are best kept away from the camera.
What can channels do to maintain a conducive environment on the sets?
Channels need to realise that TRPs cannot be attained at the cost of a participant’s mental health. Hitting below the belt should be avoided.
While shooting, a participant needs to be facilitated with three things — humour, genuine appreciation, and breathers. Humour keeps the atmosphere less tense and helps the participant to deal with pressure better. Appreciation acts as a confidence booster. Breathers should include games played between participants, which are different from the format of the game. For example, if it’s a dance show, a word game or maths quiz should be encouraged. All these go a long way in keeping participants in a healthy frame of mind.
What steps can participants themselves take to combat stress?
The most important thing to keep in mind is that when participants compete in a reality show, they are not appearing for the IAS examinations, nor are they fighting a war. They are competing against evenly matched contestants.
Another thing they need to remember is that public memory is short. Any impact they think they are making is for a very short time. A victory does not exactly make them the talk of the town, or superstars. They will still be faces in the crowd.
Participants should communicate their feelings and state of mind with close friends and family before and after the show. The family plays a very important role. It should instil confidence while not scaring participants with humongous expectations. Even Aamir Khan and Sachin Tendulkar have failed at some point in life.
Lastly, they need to divert their attention to activities other than those on the show, like exercising, hanging out with friends, and praying.
Reality shows featuring children have been criticised for insensitive behaviour. Comment.
Children need to be handled, literally, with kid gloves. They are not mature enough to handle the pressure. Expecting them to behave like grown-ups is unfair.
A counsellor at hand at all times is a must. In fact, reality shows involving minors must not only counsel children, but also their parents. Children must be made to realise that the show is an extra-curricular activity and not part of their schooling. It should be made clear to them that their performance on the show would have no impact whatsoever on their lives.
Judges, or for that matter anybody on the show, who mistreats or humiliates a child should be arrested on the spot for violating child rights.
g_aniruddha@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}