A nostalgic take on the TV times of ’90s

Bhatti’s ‘Flop Show’. A satirical take on the existing social evils with a hearty dose of laughter, it was a delightful watch. It used to be aired at night, and I once remember running into a neighbour’s home to watch it when our TV conked off.

Later, when I returned home, my father chided me for my behaviour. But those days, TV programmes had such a magnetic pull that you were drawn to them like bees to honey. Though the choices were limited, the content was in tune with our sensibilities, and captured the hearts and minds of the audience.

Things are different now. Though we are spoilt for choice, the quality control seems to have gone haywire. Production houses rake in the moolah and anything in the name of entertainment is passed on to the viewers. Since you have the option to shuffle innumerable channels, no one is complaining. After all, you have the discretion to ignore what doesn’t interest you.

Thinking of the 1990s makes me nostalgic. Those were the days when the idiot box helped to shape my opinions. Writing about all this takes me back to my home where we used to be ensconced in a room watching our favourite serials, gorging on snacks, swooning over our screen heart throbs, happy to be part of a make-believe world.

TV PROGRAMMES HAD SUCH A MAGNETIC PULL THAT YOU WERE DRAWN TO THEM LIKE BEES TO HONEY. THOUGH CHOICES WERE LIMITED, THE CONTENT WAS IN TUNE WITH OUR SENSIBILITIES