2015 has also been a year of several misfires on TV. The Quint picks five shows that failed to warm up the couch potatoes.
1. Reporters
Touted as the return of Rajeev Khandelwal to TV fiction, this show paired the former small screen heartthrob with Kritika Kamra, and expectations were high. An Indianised thrill-seeking soap created on the lines of Aaron Sorkin’s acclaimed series, The Newsroom, Reporters neither went the whole hog to create a distinct flavour, nor did it have the bite of its inspiration. With juvenile research on the media, it failed to garner TRPs from day one. We weren’t surprised.
2. Phir Bhi Na Maane...Badtameez Dil
It came from the makers of Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, and like its predecessor, tried to create a world beyond saas-bahu and kitchen politics. A musical love story set in a music channel, Phir Bhi Na Maane...Badtameez Dil had an estranged couple as its protagonists. For reasons best known to the audience, it somehow failed to create its own niche at the prime time slot, and was booted out within a few months.
3. Kuch Toh Hai Tere Mere Darmiyaan
Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms has done very well in 2015 as far as delivering hit shows is concerned. But Kuch Toh Hai Tere Mere Darmiyaan has been the only exception. Since its launch, the show has failed to strike a chord with the viewers, and the makers have tried their best by injecting new twists and turns. Even the original lead pair, Vibhav Roy and Shritama Mukherjee, was replaced by Aly Goni and Asha Negi. Still, nothing could rescue the show from the viewers’ plummeting interest. Rumours are rife that it’s biting the dust soon.
4. Sumit Sambhal Lega
Star Plus has been trying its best to attract newer audiences, especially the youth. Legendary American sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond found itself remade with desi characters, and it looked like an interesting throwback to light-hearted family comedies such as Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Dekh Bhai Dekh of yore, or the more recent Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. Launched at the coveted time band of 10 pm with a huge buzz as the big official adaptation, it has managed only paltry ratings.
5. Gulmohar Grand
A weekend special, this show wanted to behold the grandeur of a luxurious hotel, and tried to entwine the lives of its staff with that of its guests, in a bid to tell a different tale. Though it was touted to be a mini-series, it failed miserably to gain ratings, and the channel pulled the plug abruptly. Talk about premature demise.
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