Competition heats up celebrity news programs<\/p>\n
By Emmy F. Hastuti<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Names make news is a classic theory in the news
\nindustry which has perhaps spurred the infotaintment producers to
\npack the \"this and that\" about local celebrities in their
\nprograms.<\/p>\n
Gossip shows are really hot in the television industry. This
\nhas become a frenzied trend among the five local private
\nstations, which regularly air similar shows about the latest
\nboyfriend of this artist or the divorce of another artist, or
\nabout their new toy or their new thong.<\/p>\n
\"Personal facts on public figures either politicians or
\ncelebrities are a long lasting resource for the television
\nindustry,\" television observer Veven S.P. Wardhana said.<\/p>\n
He said there is an unhealthy competition among the TV
\nstations, who present similar programs and fail to air more
\nresourceful or exclusive shows.<\/p>\n
\"It is the way our television industry works, using 'me-too-
\nproduct' claims. If a show is regarded as successful, then other
\nstations will present similar programs, not something different
\nbut only other variants,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The show time might be different -- some however, are aired at
\nthe same time -- but the content is the same, Veven added.<\/p>\n
He agreed that gossip shows on television are fun to watch as
\nthey are light and entertaining. Unfortunately, they are not
\nhealthy.<\/p>\n
\"It's refreshing to watch such programs but it is really
\nunhealthy. Why should we care whether actress Dessy (Ratnasari)
\nis going steady or not with guitarist Dewa Bujana? It's not our
\nproblem, but many still want to follow her story on the screen,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Gossip programs have attracted more and more viewers from
\nsegmented audience like housewives or housemaids who are believed
\nto spend more time in front of televisions than men.<\/p>\n
A cab driver admitted that now he prefers to watch those
\ngossip shows on televisions rather than news programs or
\npolitical talk shows.<\/p>\n
\"The last time I watched a political debate was before the
\nAnnual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly. After the
\nevent I've became bored following the issues,\" he said.<\/p>\n
When he gets a chance, he stops at the taxi pool and joins
\ndozens of other cab drivers who relax for a while before hitting
\nthe streets looking for passengers.<\/p>\n
\"In the afternoon, we drop by the pool. My friends also love
\nthe gossip shows. We'd rather watch them than news programs,\" he
\nsaid, and smoothly talked about the hot gossip about dangdut
\nsinger Evi Tamala who was about to go back to her husband.<\/p>\n
He admitted to having no preference for television stations.
\nSometimes he also watches news program.<\/p>\n
\"As long as the television station does not broadcast student
\ndemonstrations, (President) Gus Dur's overseas trip, Ambon or
\nearthquakes, I'll watch if I have time,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Three years ago, following the downfall of Soeharto, the news,
\nwhich used to be under tight government control, started to flow
\nfreely. Every station then ran not only their news program but
\nalso political talk shows.<\/p>\n
Some viewers, however, seem to have tired of such news and
\npreferred to watch something lighter. This phenomenon soon rang a
\nbell and prompted the TV stations to present gossip programs.<\/p>\n
Check out the available channels and find the plethora of
\nsimilar programs, such as Indosiar's Kisah Seputar Selebritis
\n(KISS, Celebs' Stories, Tuesday, Friday, 4 p.m., Saturday, 9:30
\na.m.), RCTI's C&R (Check and Recheck, Tuesday and Friday, 4
\np.m.), TPI's GoShow (Gossip Show, Sunday, 9 a.m.) and Sisi
\nSelebritis (Celebs' Side, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.), ANteve's Berita
\nSelebritis (Betis, News on Celebs, Wednesday, 12:30 p.m.), Celeb
\non TV (Monday, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., and Panorama
\n(Saturday, 5:30 p.m., SCTV's Halo Selebritis (Hallo Celebs,
\nMonday, Thursday 11 a.m.), Dunia Bintang (Star World, Tuesday, 11
\na.m.).<\/p>\n
Competition<\/p>\n
Tough competition in gossip shows has challenged the producers
\nto display their strength, to make audiences tune-in to their
\nprogram and return for the same show and next time.<\/p>\n
Inserting newly launched video clips, inviting a guest star
\nand providing a quiz for the audience are among efforts to hook
\nthe viewers.<\/p>\n
KISS' executive producer Siti Roozika said that the
\ncompetition was felt strongly this year, when other private
\ntelevisions started to run similar infotainment programs on
\ncelebrity news.<\/p>\n
\"Actually we are first among television stations in running
\nsuch programs, dating back to 1996 when KISS was still part of a
\nTV show called Jelita (Jendela Informasi Wanita), under the
\nsegment named SPOT (Seputar Orang Top),\" she said.<\/p>\n
The station decided to air KISS, one of the most-seen
\nprograms, three times a week after they realized that other
\ntelevisions were airing similar gossip shows.<\/p>\n
\"Our host, comedian Eko Patrio, is one of the strong points.
\nHe makes KISS as entertaining as possible with his naughty-style,
\ndigging out others artists' stories,\" Siti said.<\/p>\n
C&R is produced by PT Bintang Advis Multimedia. The program's
\nexecutive director, Aprilla J. Munaf, said the show was first
\nintended to be a forum for the celebrities to defend themselves
\nfrom tabloids which often print stories about them without
\nchecking the accuracy.<\/p>\n
\"There are many tabloids running gossips or stories without
\nchecking with the artists first and we provide this program for
\nthem to talk and clarify the gossip,\" Aprilla said.<\/p>\n
She admitted that competition was tough but claimed her
\nprogram had been recognized as \"best\" infotainment on television.<\/p>\n
\"We balance the content of the programs, 50 percent is
\nentertainment and 50 percent is news or actual information on
\nfamous artists, of course we give more in-depth coverage on
\ncertain gossip or news on the artists,\" she said, adding that the
\nprogram was done mostly by a journalism-based crew.<\/p>\n
\"The news touch is thick here compared to infotainment
\nprograms run by other stations,\" Aprilla boasted.<\/p>\n
Citing the report on the recent arrest of comedians for
\npossessing drugs, she said that the program presented a thorough
\ncoverage. Not only did they talk to the artists, but they also
\nreported the on social phenomenon of serious shabu-shabu (crystal
\nmethamphetamine) popularity.<\/p>\n
TPI's public relations officer Theresia Ellasari said her
\nstation decided to broadcast the gossip shows after learning
\nabout the high public demand for more infotainment programs.<\/p>\n
TPI broadcasts not only one gossip show, but five weekly.<\/p>\n
\"Our presenters are top celebrities like Tamara Geraldine and
\nJodi (both for the GoShow). They attract the audience with their
\nstyle of presenting our news on celebrities,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The industry will never face any shortage of resources as now
\nthey are starting to catch not only artists, but also athletes,
\nand even political elites on their shows.<\/p>\n
And people who are bored with the continuing political and
\neconomical situation can turn on the television and gossip about
\nother people's luck and bad luck - until they become saturated.<\/p>",
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