News Round-up

INDIA: Popular TV soaps part of varsity curriculum
Trials and tribulations of the Virani family of the popular sitcom KYUNKI SAAS BHI KABHI BAHU THI will soon become part of popular culture studies to be included in the new Master program in English of the University of Mumbai from the next academic year. The varsity has decided to include prominent English, Hindi and other Indian language TV sitcoms as part of the subject Popular Culture and Cinema. Though films have been regular part of culture studies in Indian universities, inclusion of TV soaps is rare.

Professor Coomi Vevaina of the English department, Mumbai University, said, “We have introduced the English honours program to make the curriculum more challenging. TV serials are important cultural texts that we are exposed to daily. Hence, we have included them in our curriculum. We have chosen serials that have popular mass appeal. Our students will critically review them with respect to popular culture theories.”

Some of the other TV soaps and sitcoms included in the syllabus are THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, FRIENDS and SEINFELD.

T.R. Knight in talks to leave GREY'S ANATOMY?
According to Michael Ausiello Knight is still working. "Multiple sources confirm that T.R. Knight has asked to be released from his contract, a request that both ABC and Grey's show-runner Shonda Rhimes appear poised to grant."

90210 adds a bisexual female character
Apparently Christina Worthy (played by Lauren London), who was last seen kissing Dixon, likes to go both ways.

SARA A. BIBEL: Breaking The Habit
"I wonder how many multi-soap fans would give up on the genre if their favorite show went off the air, without making a conscious decision. With the majority of viewers seemingly displeased with their shows, many are clearly watching out of habit or loyalty. People are staying tuned not because of the compelling stories, but for the fleeting glimpses of the shows that they loved or out of a hope that they will soon improve. Give them a reason to quit, and they will."