News Broadcasting
HBO to spice up Saturday nights with ‘Sex And the City’
MUMBAI: After quite a while HBO has finally decided to start tapping its original series. The first one off the block is Sex And The City. The show will air every Saturday at 11:30 pm from 4 October.
Based on the book by Candace Bushnell the show takes a frank look at the ups and downs, turmoil and the nature of friendship between four women. The series is about the four protagonists constant search for a meaningful relation ship that will last beyond the one night stand. They are hoping to find that one guy that will bring their lasting fulfillment.
The show launched in the US in 1998 and it has been nominated for over 100 awards. HBO South Asia MD James Marturano pointed out that each year a number of HBO Specials including this one win awards at the Golden Globes, Emmies and their like. ” Our mix of excellence, consistency and cutting edge programming is something that our competitors find hard to match. This year at the Globes we won seven awards which was more than the other television networks combined.”
Sarah Jessica Parker plays Carrie Bradshaw. She writes a column, which is the shows title. She is constantly on the move exploring the date scene in Manhattan. Her search for the one man forms the core of the series emotional base. Kim Cattrall has a ball playing the free spirited Samantha with a wild side. Monogamy for her is a disease she would rather not get infected by. The other actors are Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon. Nixon’s character constantly tries to balance the notions of love with the reality of life.
At a media briefing yesterday the second episode of the first season of the series aptly titled Models and Mortals was shown. The show has the expected slick look to it what with the incredibly sharp editing which goes hand in hand with the snappy dialogue. The annoying laugh track is conspicous by its absence. While this writer found it a welcome change one wonders how the audience will react to the show when they are programmed as to when exactly to laugh with sitcoms such as Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond.
This episode explores the notion of having a perfect body and the chance a person with a not so perfect body has of landing a good date. The episode also lampoons the so-called chic New York clique dinners where the women merely pout. The repetition of dialogue is the standout segment here along with mock appearances of models trying to explain their craft. “Models are not brainless people. They just do not have to use them.”
With the Emmies coming up shortly Sex And The City can expect to add a few more trophies to its kitty.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
