GECs
Reality TV stunts could provoke distress, anxiety
NEW YORK: For some viewers, especially those with a history of phobias or anxiety, reality television may be unsafe!
A study released in the US indicates that viewers experience a greater increase in heart rate and more distress watching the reality show Fear Factor than they do watching an actor in a similar situation in a fictional movie.
Celeste C McCarty and Dr Michael Vandehey, both of Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, observed 60 undergraduate students as they watched similar stunts performed on reality television and in fictional stories.
A Reuters report quotes the study author McCarthy as saying that that the programme could cause even more extreme reactions in viewers who have undergone trauma.
The report also quoted co-author Dr Vandehey as saying that people who don’t watch such shows might accidentally witness such sequences while surfing channels.
During the tests, the students were exposed to situations from Fear Factor as well as their larger screen counterparts in feature films such as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Troop Beverly Hills. It was found that the “fictional stunts” didn’t provoke the kind of reactions which “real stunts” did.
Reporting during the annual convention of the Southwestern Psychological Association in New Orleans, McCarty and Vandehey found that people experienced an increase in heart rate by 8 beats per minute watching fictional stunts, and an increase in 11 beats per minute while watching the stunts performed by non-actors.
Resting heart rate — in adults, normally between 60 and 100 beats per minute — was taken while students watched clips from a real estate channel.
Students also reported feeling more negative emotions during the reality stunts than the fictional ones, the authors report. Also, the researchers stated that people love to watch reality TV as they may like reality shows in the same way they like rollercoasters – which provide a thrill without the threat of immediate physical danger.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
