Marketing hype and television channels have always been inseparable. So, when Star One announced four new shows, there were no surprises in terms of hoopla.
Titled Fantastic Friday (they all premiere on Fridays), Star One expects the shows to sustain their ratings.
But why four serials back-to-back on a Friday evening? Explains Shailja Kejriwal, Creative Director, Star India, "We have noticed that, from Monday through Thursday, housewives decide what to watch on television. Come Friday, the remote control is taken over by the rest of the family. Hence, these four shows. They have universal appeal and feature some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry."
The serials in question are Jet Set Go!, D.O.N, The Great India Laughter Challenge II and Mano Ya Na Mano.
The first to go on air is D.O.N -- February 10, at 9 pm. A detective serial, it is set amidst the background of the common man. Parmeet Sethi plays the lead -- a virtuoso at disguises (pizza delivery boy, dabbawallah, reporter) -- who takes up cases for the helpless. The speciality of the serial is the usage of only brain power, no brawn. It has been shot in and around Mumbai, with a lot of local flavour.
The Great Indian Laughter Challenge II is next on the block (February 24, at 10 pm). After the resounding success of part I, it makes a comeback with 60 contestants. The hostess is the same, as are the judges, Shekhar Suman and Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Mano Ya Na Mano, scheduled for the same date at 11 pm, is based on real life stories, anecdotes and places from across India. The stories are said to be bizarre, yet true. It marks the comeback of Siddharth Kak (of Surabhi fame) as a producer, and is anchored by Irrfan Khan.
Finally, Jet Set Go! -- March 10, 8 pm -- a reality show where four field anchors (Gurdeep Kohli, Tasneem Sheikh, Kiran Dubey and Aashka Goradia) at separate locations within a city, will try persuade a common man to take an all-expenses-paid vacation. The catch is the contestant needs to Jet Set Go! from where he or she collects the passport, and reach the airport against time and other contestants to collect the only available ticket. Raju Srivastava is the studio anchor.
With this unique combination of comedy, suspense and more, Star One promises that Friday nights will never be the same. Let's see.
Marketing hype and television channels have always been inseparable. So, when Star One announced four new shows, there were no surprises in terms of hoopla.