The ultimate life

Rating:

For some time now,MTV has taken the reality show concept and tried to tinker with it in an attempt to shake it out of his stupor. The channels latest show is called Eristoff Male Fantasy 101 and follows the lives of four chosen males by giving them a chance to lead their wildest dreams. The setting too,is appropriately set in the land of sins,Bangkok. The four contestants are from different cities,professions and age groups. A TV anchor Ankit Vengurlekar,an entrepreneur Harpreet Baweja both 27 years old,a DJ Rohan Sapra and a model Sahil Salathya both 22 years old form the quartet whose fantasies such as fast cars,good music,hot girls and big money are the themes the show is expected to play out on.

The first episode kicks off with contestants profiling themselves and heading off to Bangkok. Here,joined by a black latex-wearing Thai girl,the boys are escorted into a limousine and taken to a palatial villa complete with a swimming-pool,a pool table,an indoor basketball ring as well as a bar. While the guys explore the villa and get to know each other,a huge LCD television switches on and a seductress in silhouette informs the boys that her name is Angel and she owns the place. Questions about the show and its format are left unanswered.

The boys are then escorted by Angels friends,who appear in flesh and blood wearing bikinis and lure the boys into the pool. Here,a profusion of bevies attired in the skimpiest of attires appear before the boys who genuinely appear awe-struck. Ankit says as much on camera,What have I done so special to deserve this? As if to further enhance the appeal of the pool party,a collection of clothes,shoes and inner- wear is thrown into the pool. At almost the same moment,four women appear wearing towels from behind makeshift changing-rooms and stand before the boys. The fun has turned into a task. The boys must find the appropriate clothes for each of the girls. A lot of fumbles and mad dashes into the pool later,Harpreet manages to clothe his assignee first. He also begins to flirt with the other girls later. The losers are not castigated in any way,leaving them and the viewers confused as the end-credits begin to roll.

For an Indian channel,the show may be too risque and is an easy target for self-protected savers of Indian culture. Perhaps this why the makers include a disclaimer after every ad break instead of doing it just once while the episode opens. And while the concept of the show is promising,its opening episode left a lot to be desired. Viewers like to know what theyre watching,and saving everything for later may not work in its favour. Especially not when its a virgin concept waiting to find aceptance. The first episode had jazz but it will have to sustain its music over the weeks to catch the fancy of its audience. How the show manages to do that will decide its existence,and future.

Verdict: Watch it for its avariousness,if nothing else.