Old TV shows dying off at an alarming rate

SOOPSIP WAS EARLIER this week mulling the supposedly imminent demise of the Channel 7 music show “7 See Concert” after 29 years on the air. The rumour is widespread, but there’s still been no confirmation or denial from the station. 

True or not, we could be witnessing a phenomenon created by the advent of digital TV and the fierce competition it’s fostering. On Thursday the award-winning Channel 5 talk show “Joh Jai” (“Straight to the Heart”) bid farewell to its devoted audience after 24 years. 

JSL Global Media produced what has always been considered one of the best “quality” shows on the tube. Originally titled “Joh Jai Sai Jor”, it’s had a slew of leading TV personalities as its hosts, starting with Damrong Puttan and Sanya Kunakorn. Each week a panel of guests addressed a different topic, a format that pioneered this approach to serious commentary on current affairs. 

“The end is the beginning of new things – ‘Joh Jai’ will never die,” current host Sorakol “Num Muang Jan” Adulyanon remarked on the show’s Facebook page. A lot of fans joined him in expressing their feelings in the farewell thread. 

“What a shame!” Aunsorn Chongcharoonsab wrote. “It’s the show that always gives me inspiration. I thank all of those who produce this quality programme.” “It’s one of the top-quality TV shows,” added Viwun Vivian. “Really sorry to see it end.”

 

Nadech too fit for Army life

 

Nadech Kugimiya’s trials and tribulations as one of the biggest stars in Thailand continue. The guy can’t lift a finger without everyone gossiping about it. 

You know what he’s gone and done now? He went to the gym for a workout! 

The furore over this little outing is actually an extension of the major row that swept the land last April when the actor was due to begin his compulsory two years’ service in the military. You might recall that Nadech showed up at the recruitment centre with a note from his doctor. He really, really wanted to be a soldier and serve his country, he told the press, but that darned asthma he’s had since he was a kid was keeping him out of the Army. 

So now, with a photo widely circulating of Civilian Nadech sweating it up at the fitness club, folks are wondering why he couldn’t be hauling around a machine gun instead of a set of dumbbells. He doesn’t appear to be having any difficulty breathing at the gym!

People who think like that are the dumbbells, said a number of fans in Nadech’s defence. Asthma doesn’t necessarily keep you from exercising. Yeah, but, the critics countered, he seems to only suffer asthma attacks when he wants to. 

Soopsip is going to stand down and let the Army decide if it wants to take another look at Nadech and maybe put him to work making Thais happy (or Cambodians unhappy, as required). But surely Nadech isn’t feeling put upon – he should be used to this nonsense by now. 

Or maybe that’s why he’s working out – he wants to knock a few people’s heads together.