Remember the time people used to wait all day just for one weekly episode of Roadies? Like what all the gang leaders are going to say or who they are going to choose in their gang. Or the time when everyone in the family used to sit together to watch Closeup One, Khude gan raj or Lux channel I superstar?  

Every Sunday, Wednesday or Saturday used to be the highlight of the week. After evening study sessions, we used to rush towards TV. Sometimes it would cost us scolding from our mothers. But it seemed all worth it at that time. Supporting our favourite contestant felt like a duty back then. The fan favourite vs judges favourite was the never ending dispute. 

Load-shedding during the telecast of these shows used to feel like a nightmare. These reality shows used to be so engaging. The emotional attachment part was so real. It reached a stage where reality shows used to be a  point of discussion or discord in friends circle or family. 

Contestants who used to perform well or had cool dressing sense or good personality used to be a household name. The 90s kid had movie stories to tell. GenZ had reality shows where they could connect. The contestants used to be someone from us and used to represent us. 

Back then, reality programmes were more than just entertainment; they were cultural events.  They influenced fashions, languages, and dreams. Young people began to believe that skill, regardless of movie connections or income, could propel them to success. 

Every audition round seemed like a story of perseverance.  We gained empathy from candidates who shared their problems, laughter from their blunders, and courage from those who handled rejection gracefully.  More than just performances, reality programmes provided us with shared feelings. They served as social glue in a fractured era, allowing strangers to unite over their favorite acts and providing families with a common language through weekend television.

The judges became icons, the theme tunes became anthems, and the catchphrases were used in everyday conversations.  In some ways, these programs reflected our society, which is full of rivalry, hope, and a longing for recognition.  

That emotional environment has disappeared over time, replaced by algorithms, reels, and transitory celebrity.  The community excitement that formerly enveloped these concerts has been lost, notwithstanding how accessible digital platforms have become.

The sweet childhood or early teenage part of our life is over. The sad part is the reality shows that used to be entertaining at one point became monotonous now. The golden period of reality shows are over. That is a fact. But all these shows became so flop that either had to cancel or stop. TV shows are dependent on TRP. The extreme rating fall, losing popularity, and continuous bully culture on social media are some of the factors behind the downfall of these reality shows. There are still many shows that are taking the online form or trying really hard to survive. 

The question remains, do we need them anymore? In this first paced technological world, everything is very out there or articulated. The life story and lifestyle of celebrities or influencers are like openbook. Why would anyone want to know about any shows where much exposed content is out there in public? 

The real reason behind the popularity of reality shows was the rawness and authenticity of it. People used to know about the human side of artists. The dancing, singing, or beauty contests used to be within reach. Now it is not something people are interested in. The loss that channels of popular reality shows had to incur is unimaginable. 

The classic reality shows are a part of our fond memories. But one knows when to exit. The relevancy of these shows no longer exists. So, it is high time, executive took some drastic steps to rebuild the image of reality shows. Otherwise, it would be a journey from demand  to dust for reality shows.