I do not follow local television stations regularly. I follow the news bulletins on PBS, Net and One because as a journalist I need to, and also to check whether any of my articles had been plagiarised, lifted or copied without any reference being made to them – as happened last Monday night on the PBS news bulletin with my story on virtual classrooms that had been published in this newspaper the previous day.
Very often I change the channel immediately after the headlines. I go from hell at 7.30pm to paradise 15 minutes later, and back to earth at 8pm. Things balance each other out, I guess.
Sometimes, if Xarabank or Bondiplus tackle subjects that interest me, such as the recent editions on feasts and Malta’s six Prime Ministers since Independence, then, yes, I make it a point to watch the programme. Otherwise, I just don’t bother.
When I do have the time to watch TV, the remote control takes me to just three stations – Rai Uno, Rai Due and Canale 5. For me, these three channels are enough. If the rest had to be taken off the air, I would not even notice.
But, this year I have tried my best to find five or 10 minutes here and there to know what is happening on local TV stations. Frankly, I could not bring myself to watch more than that, as even 10 minutes seemed like an eternity to me. The quality was so poor I just could not take any more of it.
For one thing, everyone is copying everyone. Breakfast shows are so similar that we even have a situation where two programmes have the same jingle as their signature tune. The midday shows – yes, sometimes I do take my lunch break – are just an excuse to have people fool around in a kitchen, and as for the evening shows, well, they’re so pathetic.
Game shows on foreign channels – and once again I must refer to the Italian stations I mentioned earlier, which offer a wide variety of such programmes – are highly entertaining. Yet, local ones – even those that are similar in content – tend to be boring and, instead of keeping up your interest, have the same effect as a cup of camomile tea.
Most of the actors in the teleserials would never make it to some backstreet theatre in Gillingham, let alone the West End. I just wonder how they are chosen.
The sad thing about it is that I have often overheard people talking about these series as if they were top grade, something that should make Hollywood green with envy. Are the Maltese so stupid? Have they ever watched a foreign show and made comparisons?
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What I did notice, when I occasionally zap through Maltese channels every now and then, is that the proportion of gays presenting local television programmes is much higher than what we see on foreign channels.
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There is only one kind of loyalty for TV presenters – and this is the monetary kind.
It is so strange, perhaps funny, that we have seen presenters moving from one station to another almost year in, year out, depending on who offers them the most.
These presenters do not give two hoots about their audience. All they are interested in is the money. They are like mercenaries.
When one considers that there have been shifts in between stations of different political leanings, the matter is even stranger. Who knows, maybe even principles are sold to the highest bidder.
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One thing I cannot understand is how the national broadcasting station, PBS, allows John Bundy and Eileen Montesin to work for One and Favourite respectively, and then have a radio show on the national station.
How can they work for a TV station that is in direct competition with PBS in the morning, and then have their own radio show on PBS in the afternoon?
It’s like me having a job here at The Malta Independent and then writing articles for The Times. I would be booted out immediately.
It could be argued that Bundy and Montesin are not full-timers, like I am. This is correct, but what about ethics? How can PBS accept this?
Bundy himself once said that we are a “Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse” (Mickey Mouse country). You’re right, John.
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Shows I really dislike are those in which young people compete against each other – whether it is to become a model, or to win a singing competition – to me these programmes are a blatant exploitation of young people and should be banned.
The producers of such programmes are cashing in on the dreams, aspirations and ambitions of these young people – leading them to believe that they could change their lives only to eliminate them like flies later.
If they believe that these shows are a heaven-sent opportunity, then they are wrong because they are effectively having the reverse effect.
Most of the participants end up losing confidence in their abilities once the shows are over – and this after having been exposed to ridicule on television, in front of thousands of viewers. Some are known to have absented themselves from school or work for a number of days after their elimination.
Being judged on how one sang or danced in a room with examiners only is one thing; being judged on TV is a character-shattering experience, especially for young people.
I have one word of advice for these young people – don’t participate in these programmes. You are simply being used.
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