Will Sony TV’s BIG BOSS grab eyeBALLS ?

On 3rd Nov. Sony launched its BIG BOSS, an Indian version of :Big Brother” – a reality TV show conceived by Endemol, a TV production company based in Netherlands. The hugely popular Big Brother, made its debut in Sept. 1999 and is now telecast in various avatars in 78 countries and running to its 16th version in some.

The core concept is, throwing up about 13 persons in a “secluded” spot, and let them interact amongst themselves with minimal external stimuli or disturbances. Sooner, than later, as the partipitants’ world shrinks to a few square meters, the chemistry of human emotions, feelings, prejudice, attitudes etc. starts surfacing and simmering. Responses, counter-responses (and even the lack of it) sets a chain reaction and the momentum keeps gathering as doubts, misunderstanding, collusions, betrayals act as catalysts. Participants gain new insights, new skills, empathy, sensitivity, maturity etc. on a continuous basis as they wade through the contradictions, myths, fears and prejudices of life they have. The end result cannot be anything, but unpredictable.

Human Behavior experts, counselors and therapists, will immediately recognize this set up, (including the number of participants and the Big Boss donning the garb of the facilitator), as NLP Workouts or Human Behavior Lab. Workshops, which uses identical resources as part of its Experiential Learning pedagogy. .

Coming back to the original question, the success of reality shows depends not on the participating celebrity, but how well is he connecting to the viewers. – very obvious ! How it is achieved depends on how well is the viewer able to identify herself with the “actors” (read participants) on screen. The phenomenal success of KBC hinged, more than Big B’s charisma, on the aspirational desire of every Indian to sit opposite the Big B, aptly fuelled by the SMS-mania enabling them a chance to become a participant in the show.

Many versions of Big Brother have ordinary people from all walks of life; as long as they are over 18; selected from auditions, which are a major crowd-puller, across various cities in their respective countries. Unfortunately, Sony has assembled “house-guests” who are neither celebrity role-models (unless your idea of a celebrity is as outdated (beyond expiry date) as Deepak Parasher) nor are they currently red-hot (unless you consider the sagging bums of Kashmira Shah, which the camera loves to caress, as hot); and the “variety” is missing (unless the show features some “wardrobe malfunction” enacted by Carol Gracias). Will the viewer be able to identify herself with the travails & tragedies in their lives ? Where is the dose of mirth and fun ? Couldn’t we have had a few participants who believe in pranks and unconventional wisdom ? All of them look grumpy, unlike the “different” Seven Dwarfs of Snowhite.

Big Brother has spawned and inspired a genre of reality shows, including “Survivors” and “Celebrity Farm” from the Strix production house. I wish another TV channel would come up with something like “Kala Pani”, featuring people from different walks of life; selected after public auditions in various cities; stranded on an island beach house ……… rather than having participants touted as “celebrities” who, at best, are just ‘known faces’. Taking inspiration from legendary ad-man David Ogilvy’s words , “The viewer is not a moron, she is your wife.” One can only wish – Zee, are you listening !

THE "NATIVE" INDIAN MANAGERS …

According to Prof Mohanbir Sawhney of Kellogs School of Management, Indian managers, though successful globally, still have a long way to go to become a global brand, as they are yet to learn how to hold a glass of wine or swing a golf club. What he meant was, of course, not just being adept at these two activities, but be accepted as the "weekend golf buddy", as "us" and "we". in short, to assimilate the culture.

One can not but agree with the learned Prof's observation; a fact brought home by the utterance of an Indian business czar, sometimes back, on a television channel. The occasion was the famous Mittal wedding in Paris and the interviewer was eliciting reminiscence of the great occasion. Our tycoon brags midway, "..I flew in, in my private jet and was in my usual Armani...” Well, it might be great news to wear an Armani in India, but to the CEO’s in the developed corporate world, it’s almost mandatory; and when one uses one's jet the possessive adjective "private" stands redundant. It is one thing to try to copy a maverick, and quite another to exude class. Unfortunately there are no "finishing schools" for managers in India. But we do have a rich tradition of Business Maharajas, who did have the élan and grace to stand up to any Ford, Rockefeller and Carnegie. The leading members of the house of Tatas and Birlas, just to name a few, have been an institution in themselves; perfect role models for any IIT/IIM grads. Their understated charm had an overpowering effect on others, and their legendary sophistication and élan created a unique culture around them, which was humanistic, and at the same time contemporary and business-savvy.

I agree with the views of the honorable professor, and at the same time feel that this lack of being culturally compatible is not to be derived from a lack of knowledge or skills, but it flows out from the insensitivity for being anything else but successful; and the definition of "success", according to those, is well known to be dwelled upon here.

In my humble opinion, curing the symptoms will not cure the ailment. What it needs is a holistic approach towards life, success, achievement and considerable sensitivity and empathy for others. Unfortunately, these don’t find any place in the credit courses of Indian B-schools - barring a few exceptions such as the School of Human Values at IIM Calcutta. Unless a manager acquires the right values, he cannot understand the importance of culture; corporate or otherwise. And, even if he learns the difference between the tulip and the flute and scores either a birdie or bogey, it will still come with obvious effort at its best or as a "show-off" at its worst. A gigolo exhibits the utmost social grace and etiquettes, yet he can't be a "gentleman" at heart.
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