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Watching me, watching you
The 2000s saw massive developments in the local TV industry, with the emergence of several more TV stations (both nationwide and regional), offering all sorts of entertaining programs
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T
he 2000s saw massive developments in the local TV industry, with the emergence of several more TV stations (both nationwide and regional), offering all sorts of entertaining programs. Here are some notable trends.
Sinetron (soap operas)
In the early 2000s, sinetron ruled almost all TV stations. Raam Punjabi, the sinetron mogul with major production house PT Multivision Plus, is the pioneer of the local soap opera industry.
Most sinetron offer quite similar themes, usually revolving around dysfunctional families, crises at schools or colleges and religious stories.
In addition to the "modern" type of sinetron, viewers also get treated to a number of Betawi-based humorous sinetron, portraying the modest life of Betawi people.
Actor Rano Karno started this Betawi trend with his popular drama Si Doel Anak Sekolahan (Doel, the Schoolboy), followed by Kecil-kecil Jadi Manten (The Child Bride) and Bajaj Bajuri (Bajuri's Bajaj).
Reality shows
Indonesia was never going to stay immune from the seemingly insatiable global appetite for reality TV. The local trend for reality TV programs began in 2008 and has been growing ever since. Most reality shows on Indonesian stations are made locally, with only a few being franchises or brought in from overseas.
Production house PT Triwarsana, owned by prominent TV presenter Helmi Yahya, put out a number of popular reality shows such as Bedah Rumah (Home Renovations).
In 2009, Termehek-Mehek (Sobbing), a program that helps people track down friends, relatives and past lovers with whom they have lost contact over the years, became a favorite.
Despite - or perhaps because of - the large audiences for reality shows, some institutions, including the National Commission on Child Protection, have criticized the programs, arguing that they could potentially have a negative impact on children and adolescents.
The hit international-inspired reality shows included Indonesian Idol, Akademi Fantasi Indosiar and Take Me Out.
Talk shows
The success of American talk shows and their hosts, such as Oprah Winfrey and Jay Leno, inspired local TV stations to air similar programs. To attract viewers, producers put together a blend of comedy and entertainment.
Empat Mata or Four Eyes (the name was later changed to Bukan Empat Mata or Not Four Eyes), hosted by comedian Tukul Arwana, probably turned out to be the most remarkable talk show of the decade. Another, Kick Andy, has been named the Indonesian television's best-quality program.
Cooking shows
Again reflecting international trends, the past three years have seen the rise of cooking shows on TV, with two programs dominating TV stations. Bondan Winarno's show Wisata Kuliner (Culinary Journey) started the trend; Gula-gula (Sweets), a cooking show hosted by Bara Patiradjawane, also inspired the creation of more fun and entertaining cooking programs than ever before.
Infotainment
Celebrity gossip shows, known locally as infotainment, seem to be screened almost round the clock. Most stations have more than one gossip program.
From morning to night, news about celebrity misfortunes, marital problems and hobbies are aired for all to see.
Some gossip shows even have their own special reports or investigations into much talked-about celebrity issues. Some top-rated infotainments are Kabar Kabari (the first and most prominent celebrity gossip show), Cek & Ricek, Insert, Hotshot and Silet.
-JP/Triwik Kurniasari
