After watching SSS over the weekend, I made a decision not to make further entries about it. This show has just become way too weird for me. The optimistic streak I had regarding SSS getting its act together has died and I don't want to spend more time writing about what happens to those poor guys (puppets, really) who belt out a couple of songs every weekend. The producers of SSS are going to run this circus for a long time, by the looks of it.
Results on Sunday
So Malith Perera was not physically present (as expected) but apparently showing videos of two previous performances garnered sufficient "votes" to keep him around till next week. I didn't see that coming, really I didn't.
Ajith Bandara sailed through as he has done on all previous occasions.
Amila Perera, despite being the best performer by far on Saturday night, yet again managed to land himself in the Bottom Two (the contestants with the lowest number of "votes") and yet somehow scrape through to the next round.
Dharshana Promod looked a little sad in a nostalgic kind of way at the start of the program and that made me wonder if he knew that it was his time was up. Like Shihan had that lost-puppy-dog look two weeks ago......
Where do the votes go?
Nobody seems to care about the unethical practice of asking the public to vote via SMS to Suntel numbers that are not in use. Many have complained about delivery reports stating "Message Not Sent' and yet no one at Sirasa cares enough to respond. Try dialing 114937001/2/3/4 during voting (Saturday 4pm to Sunday 9am) and non-voting hours. There is a recorded message clearly stating "The Number You Dial Is Not in Use". What really happens to the votes sent to these numbers? Are they counted by people who are not in use? Would Sirasa be kind enough to devote some air-time on its program "Gadgematics" to explain how the votes are counted and verified? Given that numbers 7788 and 114620062 accept votes for all contestants, how long does the whole process take? So many questions........
Why isn't there an official website and message board?
Sirasa loves adapting features of US shows and claims to be very up-to-date - so where is its website? The best way to communicate with fans and receive feedback is to set up a message board and let the comments - both positive and negative - flow in. American Idol has a web site and what I like about the message boards and blogs on it, is that people are free to state their opinion and none of the content is censored or taken off the site (well, obviously expletives are a no-no). AI viewers have their doubts over the voting system in the US as well and have expressed their opinion on the official American Idol site instead of their personal blogs, because AI gives them the opportunity to do so. Even the message boards are flooded with scathing reviews from some viewers and it's all a part of the official website. On the other hand, Sirasa doesn't care what the viewers think. They don't want to waste their time on feedback. So what if people know there is something radically wrong with the show?! All they want is the money to trickle in via SMS votes.
Why are the producers scrambling to include Malith back in the show?
Let the boy recuperate at his own pace, already!! The only reason I can see, is the producers of SSS are darting from one decision to another to maintain credibility amongst its remaining fans. And yes, unfortunately there are many gullible folk who believe if their favorite wins, the contest is the best in the world and flawless to boot. Covering up one lie with another rarely works out in the end. It reminds me of a quote by Sir Walter Scott: "Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive"
Enough is Enough
I want the truth and yes, I can handle the truth. I want to know why Sirasa started out by claiming to find the best young singers in the country worthy of being a "Super Star" and then prepped them up for a contest that was rigged from the start. I want to know why exceptional singers were "voted off" and why Sirasa dodges all questions regarding the validity of the voting system it has set up. The common catch phrase "You only know about Shihan/Manjula because of Sirasa" is wearing thin now. Yes, Sirasa did highlight their talent - and it also treated them like cast-offs after awhile. Why? Does a few minutes of fame compensate for being treated as a disposable unit? Questions, questions......just no one to answer them. And I'm bored with it all. So enough is enough indeed.
This is the end of the road for me when it comes to writing about SSS. Actually, this is my one-before-the-last post on SSS. The last one isn't actually a post - it's a Sunday Results Show Format and it's coming right up....
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