Portokallia Show may be considered one of Albanians’ favorite TV shows. One that has distinguished itself for its good fun skits and variety of entertaining elements, with often relatively fresh material that can produce “good†laughs. It is probably one of the most watched shows for Top Channel, not only in Albania but literally all over the world where Albanians live and work.
However, there has been a growing concern by different people over its worsening language quality and the vulgar vocabulary of its plays. This author thinks so too.Despite the increasing dull and sometimes over repeated type of skits, it is sadly becoming more and more vulgar and that is why I’m tempted to call it Vulgar Entertainment.
In the past, Portokalli Show would often deal with concrete social, political and everyday issues affecting Albanians in Albania and abroad. But it seems that increasingly there has been a trend toward vulgar topics that directly or indirectly inspire the debasement of the dignity of women and other things of an increasingly explicit sexual kind. This is sad, for such a show.
I am fully aware that the show is not for children, however, it is my conviction that if it wants to appeal to all its views, then it should not offend them directly or indirectly with vulgar content. The Excuse that I’ve heard often, even from its actors about it many vulgarities, conveys the idea that this is what the audience wants. Well, that could be true for a certain kind of demographics, but it sounds to me more as an excuse than anything else.
The fact is that its older actors have become careless about what they come up with, evidenced also by the tendency to repeat the same roles in a slightly different format or presentation.
I’m not saying all these things to put down this great show. Personally I’m a strong believer in the power of media and especially the power of entertainment media. I believe that it can have an indisputable impact on the people’s mindset and general worldview. This is especially important for us as Albanians. It is my conviction that most of the current daily issues that we deal with are a result of our warped mindset about reality. (but this would be another post)
For more, check out this website for online videos http://www.portokalli-show.com/
