GROUP DISCUSSION

                                                    A GROUP DISCUSSION (GD)

TOPIC - Are we getting addicted to TV serials?

PARTICIPANTS: Ajay, Eva, Binila, Chandru and Salim

Welcoming all to the GD...Let's start.

Ajay: Dear friends, with your permission I would like to initiate the group discussion on       “Are we getting addicted to TV serials?” Could you please lend me your ears?

Eva: Of course, we are all ears. Please do continue.

Ajay: Well, Television today, has become an important member of our family. There are many kinds of TV channels showing a variety of programmes like News, Sports, Movies, Music,Travel etc. However, in the evenings, people usually prefer to watch their favourite serials or soap operas. I am afraid this has now become a kind of addiction. Some of us find it very difficult to skip an episode. We empathise with the characters so much that we always think about these characters and eagerly wait to see them again. And most of the serials are tearjerkers trying to attract the viewers by arousing the emotions of sympathy, sadness, anger etc. In short, serials have become a kind of opium for the masses. And the MNC’s which sponsor these serials show the advertisements of their products in between the episodes at the drop of a hat. They therefore make hay while the sun shines.

Binila: I do agree with Ajay that serials aren’t influencing us in a good way and watching them for a long time does make us empathize with the characters deeply. Some of us take a liking to these serials which show the protagonist as an innocent, vulnerable and gullible person who is made to suffer endlessly for no fault of theirs. The same formula has been repeated in an umpteen number of serials.  

Chandru: Nowadays besides tearjerkers there are horror serials, comedy serials, mythological ones also, catering to the taste of a wide variety of audiences spanning across genders, ages and regions. The number of couch potatoes in our society is going up every day.

Ajay: But I doubt whether other types of programmes hook our audiences as much as these sentimental serials. Can anybody explain why?

Salim: Well, as Miss Binila rightly pointed out, the serials makers fill the episodes with a lot of emotional melodrama, gorgeous faces, twists in the plots etc. All the tricks of the trade are employed to play to the galleries. They take inspiration from popular movies, contemporary events and the present trends in the society. And I must say that some serials do make a good viewing experience giving the audience some food for thought as well.

Eva: With due regards to all your noble opinions, I think youngsters like me care two hoots for these silly tearjerkers that enthuse only the namby pamby ones. I watch TV for movies, musical contests and reality shows that keeps me enthused.  And unlike serials there is no fear of addiction as there is no suspense element in these programmes. They are magnificent with spectacular visuals, sound effects and choreography.

Binitha: Talking about visuals I think the computer graphics has made TV viewing a really enthralling with a lot of edge of the seat experiences.

Ajay: I am afraid, we are deviating slightly from the main topic ie., are we getting addicted to TV serials?

Salim: I think the main reason for some people getting addicted to TV serials is that they don’t consider their leisure time an opportunity to develop various other aspects of their personality that remains passive during the day’s work.

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