The reality behind reality shows

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Most of the reality shows on our screens today are adapted from foreign formats. Let’s see how they fare in comparison.

Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain? Vs Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?

This television show is based on asking school-level question to adults and seeing how well they fare. The American show is hosted by Jeff Foxworthy with a prize money of $1 million, while the Indian show is hosted by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, with a prize money of Rs 5 crore. Both shows have 10 questions from the syllabus up to Class V, offering participants three cheats and five school students to help them.

The Indian version is more entertaining because of its charming host and had some snazzy promos that attracted and intrigued audiences, while the American version is a bit tamer, especially because the host is not a famous face. While the Indian version has better presentation, the American version has better quality.

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Sach Ka Saamna vs Moment of Truth

A show that has contestants admitting to some unpleasant truths. Both the American and Indian versions pose 50 questions to participants based on a polygraph test they have taken earlier. Indians played for a prize of Rs 1 crore, while Americans played for $5,00,000. The Indian show had several celebrity participants; the American show didn’t have any celebrity faces, but surprised participants with guests who asked them some of the questions.

The American TV show was a big hit because contestants admitted to truths they would have otherwise but the show was cancelled abruptly in August 2009.

Sach Ka Saamna also shot to fame because of controversy over its content but it will be going off air soon. The original show worked better and was more dramatic because the contestants answered questions they hadn’t faced before, while the Indian version looked like a setup.

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Indian Idol vs American Idol

Both contests are out to discover the country’s next singing sensation. The Indian version is in its fourth season now while American Idol is in its 9th year. Their formats are similar, from the auditions to the audience voting to the eliminations. The format has been dapted in many countries around the world.

However, while American Idol has actually accomplished what it set out to do, giving its winners an incredible platform and turning them into idols, Indian Idol has been less successful. Plus, there is the feeling that many good singers find themselves out in the cold while ordinary singers make it big overnight.

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Jhalak Dikhla Ja vs Dancing With The Stars

This is format originally from the UK show Strictly Come Dancing. Well-known stars participate with unknown but professional dancers to win prize money. They are viewed by the audience and a panel of judges, and couples with the lowest score get eliminated every week.

The third season of Jhalak Dikhla Ja witnessed some controversies, and some excellent dancing. But, while the foreign show seems to be more fair and rewarding the best dancer, the Indian shoe doesn’t seem to showcase the best dancers.

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Dance India Dance vs So You Think You Can Dance

In the American show So You Think You Can Dance, dancers from different genres and backgrounds dance with partners to showcase their talent. They dance everything from salsa to hip-hop, contemporary to ballet, in pieces done by professional choreographers, who are not the judges. Again, there is a panel of judges and audience voting.

The Indian show, which has just finished its first season, has some differences – there are wild card entries and only 12 contestants. The Indian version is a paper tiger compared to the American version, which has very high standards and has some of the best dancers in the country performing.