Mommy Woes

What’s it about? Just when we thought that Indian reality television has peaked,out comes another reality show to prove us wrong. The new addition to the already existing list of unique reality shows is Maa Exchange. An Indian version of the American show Wife Swap,this one deals with more parental and household issues as opposed to its Western counterpart. The show has two real-life mothers exchanging their lives with each other for nearly eight days. The first four days has them leading the life according to the rules set by the original lady of the house. The next four days see the household run on the set of new rules introduced by the exchanged “maa”. Upon the conclusion of the experiment,they are called to the confrontation table to discuss each other’s experiences. The moral purpose of this show is to take a lesson out of each other’s experience and apply it to their own respective lives.

Who’s in it? In it’s first week,actress and socialite Pooja Bedi swapped places with popular comedian Raju Nigam’s wife Anuradha Nigam. Bedi,who is used to managing her home with the help of three domestic helps,is suddenly thrown into the Nigam household without a maid and with a toddler to take care of. On the other hand,Nigam has to adjust to Bedi’s plush lifestyle,maids and her two children. Every week will see a new set of moms competing with each other. Surekha Sikri plays the mentor on the show,appearing at the beginning and end.

What’s hot? Reality shows thrive on entertaining the masses,and this one too attempts to satiate the audience’s voyeuristic instinct. As is the case always,it allows you uninhibited access into the participant’s personal lives. But what makes Maa Exchange stand out is the focus on parental duties and household chores as opposed to competitive drama or love-related problems.

What’s not? The mentor Sikri is a complete put-off. She is,by far,the most incompetent host Indian reality television has seen. Sikri comes across as morose,drab and boring,and fails to hold the audience attention for long. Besides,like other reality shows,this one too is high on drama with participants screaming,hurling abuses and creating a scene whenever possible. But with kids involved in the show,it leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

The poor camera angles and the emphatic background sound also score a zero from us. This show,although made to look purposeful,lacks any kind of purpose. Instead,it is a waste of a primetime slot on television. The show aims at teaching the mothers a lesson,but with such rigid points of view,one doesn’t see them learning anything.

Should you be watching it? Only if you have loads of time to waste or nothing better to do. You will enjoy reading or watching a good film.