Thursday, February 26, 2009

How to become a Roadie

Rodies is a highly popular reality game show of MTV. Although I’m not a huge fan of the show; I enjoy watching it due to its unique concept, format, and selection process.

The craze for this show is evident from the thousands of applications they get from wannabe participants, in each city. It differs from the other reality shows in many ways. Here they are not looking for any singers, dancers, actors, pretty faces or so called “celebrities”. It’s an adventure oriented show but they don’t expect the participants to be great athlete or adventure junkies. They generally select teenagers and people in their early twenties, though this is no rule. If judges like you, you can be a “Roadie” irrespective of your age.

All they are looking for is: Rodies. Strangely, they have never clearly stated what qualities they are looking for in the participants. They just want people who are “interesting”. Being interesting or not is highly vague and subjective perception and as a result, anyone and everyone who wants an instant fame tries his/her luck in the Rodies interviews.

Their selection process involves group discussion round and personal interview with the judges. One of the judges is invariably Raghu Ram, who’s the producer of the show. He has virtually given birth to this show, so he can make or break rules, select or throw people out of the show as per his whims and fancies.

The show is made up of series of tasks, which are generally challenging adventurous activities. Based on the participant’s performance in the tasks, few of them get the “immunity”, which means they get immune from the “Vote Out”. At the end of each episode, participants vote one member out who has to leave the show. The Vote outs of the Rodies are high adrenalin drama involving politics, groupism, friendships, hatred, betrayal etc. Add some last minute twists and turns by Raghu and we have the popular game show Roadies!

The most unique thing about Rodies is its selection process is indeed more interesting than the show itself. Raghu quite literally rips apart Wannabe rodies in his own style, which is fun to watch. He’s sharp, witty, funny and has got a great sense of humour. If anyone tries to fake it during the interviews, he/she is gone. He insults and abuses almost all the applicants (including girls). Some of them get insulted so badly, that you wonder why they choose to make fun of themselves on the national television! But, that’s what the sadistic entertainment is all about, isn’t it? It’s always fun to watch others making fun of themselves!!

As I mentioned earlier, there are no predefined criteria to become a Roadie. So based on my observation, I have outlined certain qualities which are must have to become a Roadie.

1> You should be a Punjabi or a Delhiite with a prominent Punjabi accent/tone or Delhi lingo.
This applies to 80% Roadies. I don’t understand this Punjabi and North Indian (Delhi) obsession of Roadies, considering the God of Roadies Raghu is a South Indian. Bollywood is also heavily influenced by this Punjabism, thanks to Chopras and Johars. Every bollywood movie has to have a Sardar. In Bollywood movies, the lead protagonists have to be Punjabis (Remember Raj Malhotra, Simran etc?) C’mon guys, give us a break!!! This is a reality show and not a run off the mill bollywood movie. People from other parts of India are as interesting and funny as Punjabis. This Punjabi overdose has become boring and monotonous. Give us some variety.

2>You must be having impressive vocabulary of abusive words. You should have the ability to swear fluently and abundantly.
Street fighting skills such as shouting, bullying etc. are added advantage!
While watching Rodies or its interviews, one sound which is frequently heard is “beep”. Participants, judges, crew, host abundantly use abusive language on the show. Everyone on show swears around like it’s the vital necessity of their life.

3>You should be irritatingly arrogant.
Here, I’m not using the overly used cliché “attitude” because arrogance is all I can see in the Participants. This so called attitude seems nothing but the fake arrogance.

4>You should not have any talent and should not be an achiever in any sense.
In Chetan Bhagat’s terminology, you should be a “loser” :)

5>You should be endlessly able to bitch, bitch and bitch. More you back bite on the show, more “interesting”, you will turn out to be.

6>You should be highly insecure and jealous of people who are better than you.

7>You should be able to make friends with other losers and plot against those who seem more capable and smarter than you.

If you have above mentioned qualities, you can definitely get selected and even win the show! Just after the show, they telecast Making of Roadies which shows the real efforts and drama behind the scenes. It’s as entertaining as the show. Their team is completely wacky!

The only criticism that I have is the usage of abusive language on the show. It’s really not necessary to swear just to proclaim that you are Cool or Hot or whatever….If abusive language is eliminated from the show, it can appeal to larger audiences. Leave apart abusive language/behaviour and rest of the show is very entertaining.

Vaibhavi

9 comments:

Deepa said...

:)

...Good post
Cudnt agree with u more on the Punju's thingy....
Hpe that raghu reads ur post :P

Unknown said...

Well, some of this I agree and some I dont.

Actually, to be a roadie, you need to be YOURSELF. If you have it in you, the judges will find it :) One just needs to BELIEVE.

Just to add on to you second point - Abusive words, "you need to have a good vocab on abusive words (on all languages)"...after seeing Suzi's audition :D

Fourth Point, I do not agree. The first thing that they ask you is "what is the interesting/bizarre thing you did in your life?" This seems to be a common question to be answered in the form. You need to have the TALENT to do interesting/bizarre things. Am I confusing TALENT with GUTS? Well, you need to have the TALENT to have GUTS :D

Seventh point, well kinda tricky. Yes, you need to plot but not by joining hands with loosers. You need to be neutral mostly and not get involved with any group/gang/team.


My take on Surviving... you need to perform the task (to an extent) and must not come in the limelight.

Lie low and plot against all :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Sara, I get your points but this was supposed to be a humorous take on the show. This is not a serious "how to guide" for becoming a Roadie:)

You need Guts and need to perform? May be. But, apart from swearing, ploting and bullying, what Guts or performance did Ashutosh display?

Still he won the Show!!! I think that guy is good for nothing. Just plain Trash!! May be, he can do well in politics, considering his bhaiyya identity and groupism abilities. :)

Thanks for your comment.

Vaibhavi

Kunal Lal said...

Real nice post! Good analysis...watch out for some spelling mistakes...the punjabi observation was a gud one! keep it going!!

Closeguy said...

Too good !

Though i was knowing format of roadies i enjoyed reading your post..

I have to add they have some allergy with guys from mumbai.. wonder why though..& yes.. i agree there is no hard & fast rule.. by the way Raghy boasts the roadie should be tough, this & that but so far i have seen only handful of roadies who were really go getter..

I think he should stop saying this nonsense now ..lol.. & just say i want some ppl who will provide entertainment.

I wonder while watching this show are there soo many loosers in India.. okk..u come for the interview..but why do u make fun of urself?

Monish said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Интересно написано....но многое остается непонятнымb

Girish said...

Hello Vaibhavi, I totally agreed on your punjabi and north indian point because of their influence on bollywood movies most of the peoples other than north india thinks that to become a part of a bollywood industry, they should have to change their surnames to Verma, Kapoor, Chopra etc or they need to hide their surnames and this is pure racism..and coming back to eligible criteria for rodies that he/she must have North Indian ration card......

Anonymous said...

I agree they only selects North Indians