The country’s premium beauty contest Lux-channel I Superstar is currently airing its latest season on Channel i and has already been seizing a lot of attention (not always for the right reasons though). This time around what particularly caught my eye is its spectacular stage and improved graphics work. Even direction and content has gone upscale. All these hint toward the show-makers’ endeavor in elevating the show to international standards. However, when so much effort is being given into heightening the show’s standard why couldn’t the brains behind all these work think of a better trio of judges? Yes, from the show’s perspective and keeping the content in mind, are Tahsan, Aupee Kareem and Suborna Mustafa their best bargain?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not pointing a figure at the professional prowess of the three judges. Each one of them has earned success in their respective fields. Question is, are those ‘respective fields’ in perfect alignment with the show in concern? If you have been following the recent seasons you will have noticed that the tasks given to the contestants generally and almost strictly in those cases relate to the fashion industry. They are judged mostly on their walk (on the ramp), their flair at modeling for glamour photography, and their fashion know-how. Only a very few times are they tested on acting or other skills.
Hence, one would expect to have fashion professionals gracing the judges’ spaces but instead, you get three TV actors. Way to go! None of the three judges have anything whatsoever to do with fashion and glamour, at-least not professionally. It makes as much sense as having Kaniz Almas judge an acting contest. Doesn’t sound very clever, does it?
What happens when you have such an inept ensemble on those chairs? Contestants end up with comments like amar bhalo lage ni “I don’t like it” – I mean seriously, you don’t like it? That’s all? How in the world is anyone to make anything of such a feedback? Contestants go back with little takeaway and understanding of what to work on to better their odds at winning the crown. Recently, in an episode, girls were required to wear saree in a fusion style (yes, the one that recently generated so much controversy). One girl who chose to wear it in a rather nonconforming manner ended up in the bottom three because the judges couldn’t buy her technique of wearing the garment. Now fashion is not really about conformity and the judges clearly lacking fashion savoir-faire failed to be convincing critics.
For any reality show the judges’ panel is of extreme importance since they add credibility to the results. What these three bring to the table is face value (albeit the show could use better options) but falls short in establishing themselves as fitting appraisers. Honestly, I don’t think they’re to be wholly blamed. It’s the show makers who have to prove their merit in deciding on a better mix from next time onwards.
