My favorite TV Shows: 1) MTV Roadies

Over the next few months, I will be writing about some of my most favorite TV shows in between my regular posts. These are the shows that I would do my best not to miss at all. First in the list is a program in MTV called "Hero Honda MTV Roadies" which had its fourth season completed just last week. It is a reality show, involving youngsters of age group 18-22.

The fun begins during the audition itself, which is conducted in most major cities - especially Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai and Kolkata. In each venue, hundreds of youngsters are filtered through questionnaire, group discussion and a handful are selected for personal interview. During the interview, the judges ask them some tough personality questions, which only the smart and tough ones can skilfully answer. Maximum of 3-4 are selected from one city, to make the total to 13 - in the gender ratio 6:7.

They are sent on a road trip for about 40 days, during which they travel thousands of kilometers, passing various tourist spots. In each place, they are asked to do some tasks which would win them some money. There are also some tasks in which there is a competition and the winner gets 'immunity'. Before leaving each place, there is a 'vote-out' in which each contestant votes against one person, except against the one who has won the immunity. The contestant who gets the maximum votes is voted out of the competition, and the group gets shrinking. Finally, when it comes to two, all the eliminated 11 are invited and are asked to vote to choose the winner. The winner gets all the prize money won over the duration of 40 days.

The show involves interesting tasks, friendships, politics, survival tactics and some daring acts. I have watched the last two seasons fully, and I am glad the most harmless persons have won finally. Interestingly, they are from North-East. The guy who won the first episode, Rannvijay, has been hired by MTV as the VJ, conducting shows the last two seasons. The 40-45 minutes of the show is very engrossing, with so many things happening each week. The guys and gals are quite good-looking, bold, and hippy.

Some of the tasks are hair-rising.. e.g., once in Bikaner, the task was to lie down on the famous 'rat temple' when the rats crawl on the body, scratch and bite too.. Sheesh... the person who withstands the rats for the longest time was the winner. There are some twists and turns in the relationship among them, and in the vote-out too. Overall, a thoroughly entertaining show.