No Cuts. No Scripts. Just Pure Reality TV.

I vehemently deny watching any Willie Revillame show, but I admit that I nevertheless have a jologs side to me. I watch Eat Bulaga and some primetime teleseryes in almost a regular basis. But see, I blame it on the fact that my older sister is currently and completely against subscribing to cable TV. Hence, my confinement to at least six TV stations--ABS-CBN, TV 5, GMA 7, RPN 9, QTV 11, and IBC 13--all thanks to the genius who invented the antenna.

And oh my gee, I’m getting tired of it. All of it.

Source: http://www.jeffdurham.net/newsills/IHateTV.html

 

FIRST, the limited time slot. For nocturnal and home bud people like me, nights get a little too deafeningly quiet once the clock strikes an hour past midnight. All these TV stations sign off, and there is nothing left to steal me away from my readings. SECOND, the domination of the same old stuff. Ever heard of the Kris Aquino Syndrome? Also, every other show consists of the same faces. It could be manageable, but not with the identical and predictable storylines. It has been a really long time since some seriously creative juice came up, what with all the recent second-rate remakes of Asianovelas and the great ol’ movies of the 80’s and early 90’s. FINALLY, the sensationalized and fake glamour. In the world of showbiz, everything is obviously manipulated. Unfortunately, the naïve minds are the easiest prey because they remain oblivious to the fact that writers and reporters work for a living--meaning, they get paid. To manipulate. To overhype.      

Good thing here comes Cybervision (CV), short for cyberspace television, one of the consequences of the infinite expansion of ICT. It is not just simply television on the Internet. It double-serves as a medium where netizens, a.k.a. its viewers, can post writeups or blogs, make comments, and most importantly, upload videos. It is more realistic, as there is no room for schemes and controls. The viewers are the judges.

I stumbled upon this reality CV talk show called “Sawsawan”, the very first in the Philippines. In this CV show, regular people do the hosting and talking. Every episode, a different group or person discusses a different topic, be it showbiz, politics, current events, daily life, arguments, trivia, music, fashion, business--anything under the sun. According to its maker Julius Roden, “‘Sawsawan’ is for everyone. Everybody can join in.” (Watch these “Sawsawan” videos about Pres. GMA and safe sex as samples; other "Sawsawan" videos can also be accessed at World News Cybervision)

However, the show has a long way to go. Aside from some laugh trips, it is not exactly attention-grabbing. But then again, it is a pioneer in wiping out the borders created by Philippine TV. It is just starting and there is a lot of room for improvement. After all, big things start from small beginnings. 10 years from now and reality CV talk shows are sure to develop and get better. Of course, with the blessings of ICT.

In the meantime, I think I’ll skip watching Imortal.

- Phebean Belle A. Ramos, entry #4