The Activist: Reality show or ‘reeling’ out activism to rake in profits?

The Activist teams up 6 activists with three high-profile public figures who will work together to bring meaningful change to one of three vitally important world causes – health, education, environment

One thing that the Covid-19 pandemic enforced lockdown has set on an upward trend is the consumption of content on OTT platforms and shows based on the “Reality” concept. The demand has been exhilarating and the supply has been maintained equally, keeping up with the thirst of the consumers. However, the demand has been huge that everyone wants a piece of this market.

This has resulted in some bizarre concepts being packaged as reality shows and aired for the world to watch. Be it showrunners putting men and women in a mansion and tasking them with not getting intimate in the “Too Hot to Handle” series or the insane number of dance shows being aired in India, things have been getting madder and more bizarre, with each passing day.

The Activist – A Brief Synopsis

The latest entrant in this category of bizarre shows is a reality show titled “The Activist”, scheduled to be hosted by India’s very own Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Usher and Julianne Hough. Reportedly, the five-week reality show is a competition of sorts. Six inspiring activists will be teamed with three high-profile public figures who will work together to bring meaningful change to one of three vitally important world causes: health, education and environment, reports Deadline.

Netizens’ Reaction to the Bizarrely Concepted Show

Right from the moment the show was announced, netizens from all around the world have started to express their displeasure about the concept. Here are a few reactions:

Couldn’t they just give the money it’s going to take to pay this UNBELIEVABLY expensive talent and make this show, directly to activist causes? Rather than turning activism into a game and then giving a fraction of the much needed money away in a “prize…?” People are dying. https://t.co/GLCUZcGgfb

— Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamil) September 10, 2021

I’m confused: Is this an advanced Marxist critique to expose how competition for money and attention pits activists against each other + undermines deep change?

Or just the end of the world?

https://t.co/zyjLUMUPaP

— Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) September 9, 2021

@priyankachopra , who has remained Modi’s supporter through thick & thin, as he jailed students, activists, poets & intellectuals in India…. is hosting called “The Activist” show to promote social justice in America!!

The hypocrisy is nauseating. https://t.co/euIfX7Ux9z

— Vidya (@VidyaKrishnan) September 9, 2021

While online entertainment and “Reality Shows” have been one of the major tools that have helped keep people confined indoors during the pandemic, “The Activist”, for sure, marks the level to which capitalism and capitalists are ready to stoop down to if it rakes in the money. They will even ‘reel out’ something as real and necessary in the garb of “activism” as long as it means profits.

Entertainment – Digpu News

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