'Sahur Kita' a friend in the early morning hours

'Sahur Kita' a friend in the early morning hours

Sahur Kita; Hosts: Eko Patrio and Ulfa Dwiyanti; SCTV;
3 a.m. - 4:30 a.m.

JAKARTA (JP): Do you want to make an easy Rp 1 million while
partaking of sahur (the predawn meal) this Ramadhan fasting
month?

Then tune in to Sahur Kita and guess the answer to a simple
question related to Islam, such as "what is the argument for
fasting?". If you still cannot come out as a winner, then there
is another chance to land the money. All you have to do is come
up with a funny rhyming poem.

Sahur Kita, hosted by comedians Eko Patrio and Ulfa Dwiyanti,
is intended to repeat the success of last year's show (although
that only offered prizes of between Rp 100,000 and Rp 200,000).
The show began on Monday and will run daily until Dec. 26.

"Last year, Sahur Kita was regarded as the top audience
attraction because of the compactness of Eko and Ulfa,"
entertainment tabloid Citra said in its most recent edition in an
article Perang Sahur' di TV Pelawak Laris ("Sahur War" on TV,
Comedians in Demand).

Some viewers are tuning in because of the fantastic prizes,
while others are fans of the two hosts, who behave little
differently from their usual stage personas. Eko is part of the
Patrio Group of comedians and a presenter on gossip show KISS,
while Ulfa stars in such shows as Ngerumpi di Mall and Laris
Manis.

Of course, there is always the question if they are
appropriate presenters for an Islamic programs. At times, they do
tend to overact or appear patronizing to viewers. Yet it is also
understandable that they must enliven an early morning show, or
else the audience would fall asleep.

However, it can be a friend to Muslims taking their predawn
meal, and the remedy to bring them out of their sleep.

It is part of what Citra called the "war" of early morning
shows during the fasting month, including Indosiar's Pengantar
Anda Sahur, presented by Shahnaz Haque and Ginandjar Empat
Sekawan, TPI's Mozaik Ramadhan hosted by comedian Komeng and
Rheina Mariana and ANteve's Sahur-Sahur.

But Sahur Kita has its own specific qualities. With the set
designed as a radio talk show, there are cassettes, a microphone
and discs on the shelves and people in a "control room" in the
background. It makes the show look interesting, dynamic and
informal, very different from the wooden sets of the other shows.

The Ramadhan design last year was a bit more interesting.
There was a door connecting to the room, a big glass window
behind the presenter's table and a green colored room giving the
appearance of a radio station. It appears more real this time,
such as the small window. Eko and Ulfa, in the blue-dominated
room, look like two small fish swimming in the deep sea.

The show is a combination of music and Islamic teachings, all
presented in a joking, light way. It consists of Kontak Pemirsa
(audience contact), Lomba Pantun (a traditional poetry
competition), Dakwah (Islamic teachings) and Bincang-bincang
dengan Artis (interviews with celebrities). Occasionally, there
is live music, such as last Wednesday when Qotrunada appeared as
the guest star.

Although the show does not give a great deal of information
about Islam, it is still good to test one's knowledge about the
religion.

So back to the question, "What is the argument for fasting?"
Try to find out the answer, because the question may be repeated
before the show ends its run. Another question to ponder is, "Who
is the prophet who was able to part the sea?" Brush up on the
information, and a hefty Ramadhan payout may be the answer to
your prayers. (Mohammad Yazid)