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‘American Idol’ producers tailor another UK based reality show for US
MUMBAI: The reality bandwagon continues to roll in the US. Fresh from the success of American Idol on Fox, the show’s producers Fremantle Media North America have turned their attention to adapting another UK show. This time, the broadcast partner is Lifetime Television. The show will commence broadcast later in the year.
The comedy makeover show is called How Clean Is Your House and the focus will rest on not so pretty homes across the US. The hosts stay the same in the form of Kim Woodburn and Aggie Mackenzie. They find themselves in the sloppiest fraternity house, the messiest college graduates’ apartment and the most disorganised family home.
House owners will have to surrender the running of their places to the cleaners. They will attempt to transform the dirtiest homes in the country into spotless abodes. Woodburn and Mackenzie will sweep in with their critical eye, dust gloves and very British candour. Once the transformation has taken place, the participants will be challenged to keep up their new tidy space because the “Dream Team of Clean” will be paying a surprise visit weeks later for an inspection.
Talkback Thames which is the UK production arm of FremantleMedia created the format for How Clean Is Your House in the UK. Lifetime is dedicated to women and its shows deal with issues affecting women and their families. Launched in 1984, it claims to serve over 88 million households.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
