A 30 something bachelor, Sanjeev Kumar always dreamt of hosting his own celebrity chat show. So his parents transformed the backyard of their London residence, into a studio for him to live his whim.
But, the flustering involvement of his family during each show was something he didn’t bargain for. His parents and granny insist on being present to scrutinize his conducting of the show.
They are hypercritical and singularly unimpressed. Besides being unsure of his capabilities as a chat show host, they question his capacities in life in general.
Worse yet, they ask the guests questions of their own. I may also add that these questions are inane and off-color, if not highly personal and offensive, much to Sanjeev’s misery (and our mirth), as he watches his guest either squirm in embarrassment, or play along with his family.
~~This is what the bewildered celebrity guests are made to endure~~
# a grilling from the family in their living room, before the main show
# the most thorough and extremely personal interrogation by the entire family in the studio before a live audience.
# they also have to compulsorily answer if they thought Sanjeev was a good chat show host or not. The family doubts any postive feedback as the guest merely being nice.
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~~Meera Syal as Sushila Kumar~~
Over the hill and bent, Sushila has aged disgracefully. She claims to have lost her virginity, eons ago, in a bullock cart, in the mustard fields of the Punjab, to the neighborhood ruffian.
Today, she lewdly lusts after any male guest regardless of their looks or age, clings onto them as soon as they enter her home and secretly smells their biceps. (She just stops short of hanging her tongue out and dripping saliva, I wish she’d do that too one day)
Her horrendously funny questions are extremely sexual in nature, reflecting her smutty mind. Now and then, she makes downright derogatory references to her late husband and casts frequent doubts on her grandson Sanjeev’s sexuality.
Sushila is a scream and easily the best thing about the show.
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~~Sanjeev Bhaskar as Sanjeev Kumar~~
Is one of those vain guys who want to be constantly reminded of how handsome he looks.(like some of my friends, lol)
He is hopelessly camera-conscious, attention-hungry and hates it when granny takes away all the laughter, so unfailingly follows up her joke with a sad version from his side too.
As a host he tries to outshine his celebrity guests to score points with girls in the audience, or with other female guests.
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~~Indira Joshi as Madhuri Kumar~~
Sanjeev's mother unfailingly asks each guest tips on how to get Sanjeev married and if they know any good Indian girl.
She also makes basic enquiries about the guests' family, children, food habits, and love-life.
If not talking about weddings she is otherwise busy almost forcing food down the guests’ throats. (This is so familiar)
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~~Vincent Ebrahim as Ashwin Kumar~~
Just hope you never know anyone like this in life.
Sanjeev’s father is a painfully boring man (just the sort of Uncleji, I’d run miles away from) who narrates mind-numbing stories, which have no plausible start, no conceivable end, and absolutely no link to the conversation going on.
The man is money mad, (just like his mom Sushila is man mad) and can talk only about money, his salary, the money he has invested, and incisively questions the guests in such matters too.
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The Guests
Even though I do not recognize most of the guests (the filmi fool that I am can only recognize the film related guests and other singing sensations).
I’ve caught the episodes featuring Art Malik, Jerry Hall, Ismail Merchant, Ulrika Johnson, Ronan Keating etc. The guests really don’t matter, since . The Kumars are a set of very well etched characters and it’s a rollicking ride every Sunday to watch them collectively embarrass their guests. While most of the guests get shell-shocked at the family's antics, some of them really have a blast.
Inside info:- Cherie Blair (wife to Mr. Bush’s poodle) is a big fan of this show and is keen to feature in it as a guest The Queen (not Latifah) too is a huge fan, however not keen on featuring in it.
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That I have relatives like the Kumar’s who share their idiosyncrasies makes it even more fun. I get ample opportunity to point out during each show, “She is like so and so chachi, he is just like so and so mausaji.” and end up imitating my funny relatives whilst watching this show.
And interfering parents, doesn’t that strike a cord with almost everyone?
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Dont miss the Kumars Sunday evenings 8.00pm on Star World, just before Simmi Aunty's show and check the contrasting styles and content.
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