TV stations compete for holiday viewers

TV stations compete for holiday viewers

JAKARTA (JP): Idul Fitri for most is a time to visit neighbors
and relatives, wish each other well and ask for forgiveness for
any trespasses.

While people will continue to take part in these time-honored
traditions, local TV stations are doing their best to attract
viewers by offering special programs during the holiday. As in
past years, this year's offerings are dominated by local singers
and entertainers.

TVRI will present Senandung Lebaran (Lebaran Songs) featuring
top singers like Vina Panduwinata, Puput Novel and Ita
Purnamasari on Saturday at 10 a.m.

RCTI will feature Idul Fitri-themed programs beginning on
Friday. Programs include Takbir Bersama RCTI -- a public prayer
on the eve of Idul Fitri. This will be followed by music program
Gita Fitri at 8 p.m. featuring popular bands and singers,
including Potret, /rif, Titi DJ and Achmad Albar.

A two-episode show blending comedy, drama and music, Mega
Bintang Papa, will be aired on Friday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
The show, which features Izhur, Tika Panggabean, Cut Mini, Nico
Siahaan, Inneke Koesherawati and Eko Patrio, will be rerun on
Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

On Saturday, RCTI will broadcast live the Idul Fitri prayer
from the Istiqlal Grand Mosque here at 5 a.m. and from Mecca at
10:30 a.m.

Two special comedies -- Best of Ketoprak Humor: Cindelaras and
Ketoprak Humor Special: Putri Kodok (Frog Princess) -- will be
aired on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m, respectively.

A futuristic variety show titled Lebaran Millennium will be
aired on Saturday at 7:30. The show will feature pop stars such
as Sherina, Chrisye, Titi DJ and Mayang Sari.

RCTI will treat younger viewers to an hour-long operetta
called Nyanyian Burung (Birds Singing) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
and the cartoon Doraemon Special on Sunday morning at 8 a.m.

Comedy fans may find something to suit their tastes on SCTV.
The operetta Pas Tobatnya will appear on Friday at 7:30 and
feature pop stars like Jihan Fahira, Titi DJ, Kris Dayanti, Donny
Kesuma and Heidy Yunus, and comedians Asmuni, Timbul and Tessy.
The show will be rerun on Saturday at 8 a.m.

The two-episode Ludruk Glamor will be aired on Saturday and
Sunday at 5 p.m. and feature comedians Asmuni, Nurbuat and
Rohana, with guest stars Ulfa Dewayanti, Dono, Indro and Rudi
Salam.

SCTV will also present a show featuring singer Cici Faramida's
activities during the fasting month of Ramadhan and the Idul
Fitri holiday. She will also be featured in concert on Senandung
Lebaran (Lebaran Song) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The show's guest
stars include Ita Purnamasari, Chrisye and Paramitha Rusady. The
show will be rerun on Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

Indosiar has prepared Semarak Takbir (Prayer Gala) for Friday
at 9:30 p.m. The program will feature pop singers such as Dewi
Yull, Nia Zulkarnaen, Neno Warisman, Gito Rollies and Tri Utami,
and a poetry reading by Taufiq Ismail.

The station, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary on
Jan. 11, will air a special comedy show by the Srimulat group on
Saturday and Sunday. For movie buffs, Indosiar will air the
Mandarin action movie Kid and Soldier on Saturday at 10 a.m. and
Geronimo: An American Legend at 12 p.m.

ANteve will air popular Malaysian vocal group Raihan's charity
concert on Sunday at 9:30 p.m.

Education station TPI will air Islamic-themed programs along
with comedies during this year's Idul Fitri. Indra Safera will
host the hour-long variety show Lebaran Dalam Nada dan Kata,
featuring songs by Agus Wisman, Heidy Yunus, Rita Effendy, Titi
DJ and Yana Yulio on Saturday at 12 p.m.

On Sunday, fans of puppet shows can enjoy TPI's Asep Show
Special -- Pulang (Going Home) with noted puppeteer Asep Sunarya
and guest star comedian Komeng. Viewers can also enjoy the
regularly aired comedy Ngelaba Special on Sunday at 8 p.m. (ste)