What's good on TV these days? Gone are the golden days of half-hour gameshows and soap operas, with the exception of maybe Hollywood Squares and General Hospital. So what's new in the menu? Come the new millenium, the world is slapped with some programs never before seen on television. Here, I would like to compare two of television's recent prized possessions. Lost If given only one word to describe this incomparable piece of fiction, it would be 'unique'. You won't be able to find a similar show anytime soon; it's genre ranges from mystery to suspense and maybe even thriller. Taking place in a faraway jungle-island, Lost is a depiction of several very different characters together, or sometimes separately, facing the dangers the island has to offer. How could one fabricate an intricate, believable story with this setting? The creators of Alias managed to pull it off with impressive results. Adding to its uniqueness is that every episode focuses on one character, a portion of his/her past (with cleverly placed flashbacks), and how each of them overcomes the difficulties in their hearts. While the plane crash survivors deal with conflicts within themselves, the secrets of the island slowly unfolds. None of them could imagine what lies beyond the sandy beaches and the green jungles. There is even a hint that all of them might be there because of destiny. (I would not call these spoilers, there is so much more to the story) The first season has earned itself an astounding array of awards, much deserved undoubtedly. If shows like The O.C and Smallville are breaths of fresh air, Lost would be an oxygen tank. Even through half of season 2, the end doesn't look anywhere close. So much of open space for story-telling, a whole island, in fact. Five full stars, hands down. America currently awaits episode 15 of Season 2 while Malaysia anticipates its third episode on AXN-Asia. American Idol An ocean-consuming success that has gained world-wide following even up the fifth season; this is American Idol. Reality TV has no prouder offsprings. This twice-a-week (now thrice) show attracts at least two kinds of people: the aspiring stars and their fans. Every year, thousands of hopefuls went the extra mile to take that one shot at stardom, or to simply make fools of themselves (intentionally or not). The first section of American Idol sees the process of finding the needle in the haystack to pick the best of rest by three contrasting (though not necessarily contradicting) judges. This is one thing never before conceived, never before televised method of making stars out of singers. The filtering process gives a chance for the people at home to start liking some of the lads and lasses they see on the tube. Once the jaded shows begin, fans can vote for their favourite performers to keep them in the competition week after week. A system like this gives the audience a chance to determine the outcome of the show, making this television show a two-way transaction. Hence the mass appeal. Everything about this show is absolutely, or relatively new in the face of the world. Singing competitions often don't get televised, viewers only get to sit and watch before this, and they don't have to adore fictional characters anymore. It's the real thing: the winner proves him/herself to be the most likable (nobody said it's a talent show, it's all about America's chosen one). All in good effort to produce albums that people would rush to the stores to buy; a profitable collaboration of television, record companies, and the phone company. Comparing these two very different television shows may not be give you a new outlook on them. But my conclusion is that the realm of TV has expanded its borders tremendously over the past decade. Entertainment through the same medium cannot be generalized anymore; it's a whole new world with different continents. |
