ANJIRA ASSAVANONDA
Bangkok Post
Critics have voiced their concerns over Big Brother, a reality TV show on UBC and iTV, after two contestants who fell for each other expressed their love openly before the cameras.
The critics said the two contestants, Pim and Toto, could set a bad example for young audiences.
Big Brother _ Thailand is produced by Kantana Group, which imported the concept from the Netherlands and has been on air for a month now. In the show, 12 strangers live under the same roof for 105 days, during which time they are required to complete missions assigned by ``Big Brother''. All their movements and activities are monitored and broadcast around the clock via 26 cameras located in every corner of the house. Those who can't get along with others are voted out one by one until the final week. The last person remaining wins the game and wins a house, car and cash prize.
The programme has drawn criticism since it began, but became an even hotter issue over the weekend after some viewers complained to Khao Sod newspaper about the behaviour of the two contestants who ``acted like lovers''. They were seen holding hands, touching and hugging each other and were often seen lying together on the sofa or sharing a blanket in bed.
Sasikorn Chansate, managing director of Kantana Group, said the objective of the programme was to present what happened in real life when people are living together, showing the way they behave, the way they adjust to others in order to survive in the group. She insisted sex was not the highlight of the programme.
``Now that Toto has been voted out, there should be less criticism,'' she said.
However, Itthipol Pretiprasong, head of research and development team of the TV for Kids project, questioned whether this kind of programme was useful for youngsters.
``In the show, the 12 people are totally cut off from the outside world, which in reality is impossible. Despite its concept, the programme is far from reality,'' he said. ``If you say it's about how people would live together, there should be something else, apart from chatting, gossiping and boycotting someone in the group. There are other creative things they could do,'' Mr Itthipol said. The improper behaviour of the contestants could also lead to imitation among young audiences, he said.
He said the producer should be more responsible and careful when importing this kind of programme. Since Thai culture was unique, the programme should be adjusted to fit local traditions instead of just copying the original version.
Dr Panpimol Lortrakul, a child psychiatrist, raised concern over scenes involving love relationships since it could cause copycat behaviour once the programme is broadcast to mass audiences.
``And as reality shows seem really close to real life, it would have more impact on the audience than soap operas,''she said.
Ladda Thongsupachai, director of the Cultural Surveillance Centre under the Culture Ministry, said she has kept a close watch on the programme from the start.
``We realise the risk of the programme. Since it is a reality show, anything, including sex, could happen. And even though Toto has been voted out, we still need to be watchful of the contestants,'' she said.
