Article:Ha Ha Ha for real

T he reality bandwagon seems to have hit Sony TV big time. After Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Bigg Boss and Indian Idol 3, the channel is all set to unleash Comedy Circus from this Saturday at 9.30 p m. It has seven television actors teaming up to train under seven stand–up comedians. The trainees' list consists of Urvashi Dholakia, Ketaki Dave, Karishma Tanna, Ali Asgar, Kiran Karmarkar, Swapnil Joshi and Varun Badola.They will be judged by Archana Puran and Singh Satish Shah. The contestants will be given a theme based on which they have to create a gag. Asgar says "This will be tough because we have to perform before a live studio audience..there is no comfort of a retake." About judging the show, Puran Singh complains, "It's very difficult to objectively judge something as subjective as comedy ." Television VJ and actress Shruti Sheth will be anchor- ing the show. "My job is not easy because I've to make sure that the audience laughs even when the jokes aren't that fun- ny says Sheth. ," Don't the contestants worry about friction on the sets? While Karmarkar agrees that there might be politicking among the contes- tantants, he points out, "We live in a industry that thrives on this game, so why worry about a little friction?" Puran Singh is worried too, "Shows with the view- ers voting bring out the worst negative emotions among the contestants." It wasn't all laughter and jokes though. Vipul D Shah, creator- director of Comedy Circus, admits that when Mandira Bedi (one of the contestants) walked out, they did face logistical and financial problems. Who is replacing her? No answer.