AF Fever anyone?

Being ensconced in the comforts of my home following childbirth, I cannot help but to catch Demam Akademi Fantasia (‘AF’ Fever)! Yes, I’m not shamed to admit it – I’m hooked on to the show - its gimmicks, antics, melodramatic host and all. A singing competition reality show, which has a huge fan base since its inception in 2003, follows the daily travails, heartaches and exhilaration of 12 lucky students. These students were meticulously (or so they said) selected by the show’s producers – affiliated with Malaysia’s prominent local cable company ‘Astro’ - after undergoing rigorous auditions and a series of elimination processes. After sealing their fate with Astro, they would stay at this makeshift academy (or bootcamp) for about 10 weeks under the tutelage of accomplished teachers.

The daily progress in question comprises two half-hour shows that are screened from Monday to Friday and lets the audience in on the students’ song assignment and their development in musical, vocal, dance and other performing arts classes. On Saturday night, a weekly concert will take place during which one student will be eliminated. Each week, a student will be axed from the show, based on the lowest SMS vote at the end of the concert. The process will continue until only 3 to 5 students are left (I say 3 to 5 since Astro varies the format of how many people will go to the Final concert).

The show works for the first two years but by the third year, in my opinion, the format has become quite stale and formulaic. Now in its fourth year, Astro tried to boost the ratings further by changing the line-up of teachers and ‘pengetua’ (or headmaster), much to my dismay. Astro should have instead varied the methods used by the teachers, or the class setting, rather than resorting to making changes on the surface.

I rather like the teachers during the early years – Cikgu Siti Hajar, Cikgu Adnan, Cikgu Fatimah and my favorite Cikgu Ramli M.S. The new line-up, in my opinion, emphasizes more on the cosmetic and aesthetic appeal of fellow teachers. I even question the credibility and experience of some teachers. For instance, I find Cikgu Fazli’s ‘square’ and dull methods in motivating the students don’t measure up to the techniques used by Cikgu Fatimah.

Also, the chosen headmaster, Mr Ramli Sarip, is quite uninspiring and unapproachable as the head role model. He is better at singing than handling this bunch of up-and-coming singers. From my observance, he is quite detached (in spite of the guitar sing-along session and one-on-one talk) and awkward with the students. It was like seeing a fish out of water. He doesn’t look comfortable heading the place and being under the constant scrutiny of the cameras. However, truth be told, one must give him credit for trying to do his job, the level best.

Another annoying factor is the many tie-ins to sponsoring companies like Friskies, L’oreal, to name a few, which cause a distraction to the students as well as tv audience and not to mention, serving any purpose (well, except for sponsored money, that is). I’m fine with their generous contributions but when they start to encroach on the students’ daily activities (like having a make-up class or tae-kwondo demonstration) it becomes quite grating to watch.

The phenomenal success of AF hinges on the likeability and popularity factor of its students. Their day-in, day-out practice, struggle and ‘character development’ have become a part of fans’ psyche even before the first concert started. Astro’s clever publicity skills play an important role in building the hype for AF participants (not to mention, milking money from SMS votes, SMS real-time chat and other SMS AF-related contests).

More importantly, to me, the show works on the grass-root level because it gives us folks an avenue to vent out, lash out, root for, cry for and empathize with the plight of their favorites. For some people, AF carries them away to an alternate reality, far from their own problems and worries. For others, it fills a void in their lives. The goings-on in AF consume them! Consumption sadly can turn to fanaticism which brews trouble when fans resort to name-calling and other ugly tactics.

Notwithstanding AF’s shortcomings and flair for the dramatics and no matter what our motivations for watching, it is an entertaining program that pulls out all the stops to ensure that we the people have a thoroughly enjoyable time.