Since it’s unlikely I’ll be making a post about Malaysian Idol tonight, I thought I’d post a link to a very interesting article that I found on the ABC News website. I can’t reproduce the article here.. so here’s a link to it
Reality TV in Malaysia Stirs Controversy
Rise of Reality TV in Malaysia Sets Stage for Cultural, Religious Flap
By SEAN YOONG Associated Press Writer
The writer did a good job on article, and I tend to agree with most of the things that he said.
Some of my comments :
“Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who heads a government panel considering whether to impose formal guidelines for Malaysia’s nearly 30 reality shows, has bluntly stated that “hugging scenes are not suitable” and warned contestants to “act decently.”"
Of course, that come out several weeks ago, noticably after a Malaysian Idol episode where some of the contestants were seen hugging each other. Interestingly enough, Najib also, within the same article, had nothing but praises for Mawi from Akademi Fantasia 3, citing that Mawi was the perfect model contestant yada yada yada.
I mean, I’m neither a Mawi fan or a non-fan. Fact is, I could care less about him even though we originally come from the same State. But it’s interesting that Najib had nothing but praises for an ex-Quran recital champion who unashamedly and freely dances together on stage with members of the opposite sex. I suppose Najib’s television screen has a super power technology that filters out all the body contacts during those performances. Please. Funnily enough, even the imam at the KLCC mosque noticed this as he noted during one of the Friday sermons.
I’m not a pious guy (umm… major DUH!!) nor do I want to be a preacher.. but good God, after hearing Najib’s comment, I can help but utter “whatintheholyfuck is this bullshit” when I first read it. If you can’t do or say anything right, at least be consistent in your comments and criticisms.
“A planned version of “Survivor” was scuttled partly because the idea of men and women living in close quarters would be unsuitable for Muslim contestants, production insiders say.”
How the hell did I not know this? Might as well. I guess not knowing back then, is better then knowing then and later finding out it wasn’t gonna happen. And might as well.. cause I don’t think it will work in any shape or form with a group of Malaysians together.
“”Looking for Love” stresses the role of family and religion in choosing a partner, said the private channel TV3. In one episode, the men attend Islamic marriage instruction classes and debate whether they’d consider polygamy, which is allowed by Islam. “Our reality programs are not just for entertainment,” TV3 said in a statement. “They are filled with education and social responsibility in promoting positive traditional values.”"
And ironically enough, in one episode (related to me by a friend - I wouldn’t be caught fucking DEAD watching this shithole of a show, after accidentally watching a short 10 minute segment several weeks ago) the guy that got ‘voted out’ of the show was the same guy.. the ONLY guy who woke up at dawn for his Subuh prayers. LOL.. that’s positive traiditional values, right there for you. I have to say, a lot of local reality programs are just total shit, but Mencari Cinta takes the fucking cake. Mencari Cinta? Mencari Cheyepete is more like it (you’re gonna have to transalate that into Jawi to decipher the ultra obscene secret word, sorry). Oh hey, that rhymes, by the way! This was a huge disappointment coming from TV3 after the enjoyable Explorace (which some may say is a rip off from the Amazing Race, but for a Malaysian show, I still think it’s not that bad).
So I guess now I should only wait for Fear Factor Malaysia to get on the air before I start to bitch about it, huh?
