Comedies made a huge impact on the small screen in 2010. AT watches the show
Saas-bahu sagas that ruled the Indian television have gone out of fashion. They have been replaced by light-hearted soaps that have made their way into Indian homes. This year saw shows that could make you laugh, and make you want to ask for more. If Tulsi and Parvati were the empresses of yesteryear, Suhana Bajpayee of Sasural Genda Phool and Daya Jethalal Gada of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah are the new flavours of the season. This is not the first time that television has been swamped by such shows. Not so long ago, Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai, Khichdi and Ba Bahu Aur Baby ruled the charts This year, television saw many shows like Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo, Papad Pol-Shahbuddin Rathod Ki Rangeen Duniya, Saas Bina Sasural and Sasural Genda Phool do really well with the audiences. Other shows, including Comedy Circus and Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah garnered praises as well. Ask Archana Puran Singh, judge on Comedy Circus and actor, and she says, "There is enough in the world that one can cry about. The onion prices make people cry. But the fun shows make you laugh till you get tears in your eyes. With people losing their jobs and recession making you sad, you want to watch shows that would make you smile and entertain you." Comedy has made such an impact that even when big s h ow s air duri n g prime t i m e, coming light-hearted shows with a smile." Shows with the right mix of wit and emotion make for wholesome entertainment. TV actor Dilip Joshi aka Jethalal of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah rightly says, "These shows are like Gujarati thalis, and they have a bit of everything." We agree! madhavi.shah@timesgroup.com