GECs
Next month Star World tempts viewers with new reality show
‘Till death do us part’. From next month this statement will be put to a severe test when the Star World channel starts showing ‘Temptation Island’. The one-hour reality show will start on 22 November and will occupy the 10 p.m. slot on Thursday’s.
our couples who are engaged are shipped off to a Caribbean island where 26 devastatingly good looking single people dressed in the most provocative manner will do their best to break up the relationship. The charm and attraction of the show is that if the relationship is rooted in rocky ground the flaws will turn up sooner rather than later. This will put a lot of strain on the participants and the viewer sitting in the comfort of his living room gets perverse pleasure from watching this sexual and emotional circus.
The show is hosted by Mark L. Walberg who acts as a moderator. According to A.C. Nielsen ratings the first episode in the U.S attracted an average of 16.1 million viewers. The second episode had viewership of 17.6 million.
The production company, Rocket Science Laboratories scrutinises the background of the participants. In America executives of the Fox Television Network had to face the heat as soon as the programme went on air. The criticism was that this programme was promoting adultery which is already dangerously high in the country.
Controversy erupted mid-way through filming when it was discovered that one of the couples featured on the show had a child together. Concern was expressed that the young child could emotionally suffer if the relationship of its parents was broken up. Fox ran for cover saying that they were unaware of the child. It also emerged that Fox screened contestants for sexually transmitted diseases before allowing them to take part in the show.
One wonders what the reaction will be in India. The relationship between an engaged couple is considered to be sacred and among many quarters the perception is that this show makes the institution of the family seem trivial.
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.
