Never have Indian television channels been subjected to the frenetic pace, frenzied reporting and commentating as they all did on Tuesday, December 6 when J. Jayalalitha was interred in Chennai. The ailing Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu had been on news bulletins over the last month and a half. But the last few days, she hogged Prime Time news with her health reports, procedures, etc. from Monday morning, channels were getting doctors in Delhi to give opinions about the CM in Chennai and her treatment! It’s been the first time that all the national channels placed their best reportage teams on the line for that one final journey in Chennai. One channel had a veteran journalist on board, who had witnessed funerals of Annadurai and MGR. The best was yet to come. The day after the funeral, NDTV scooped up Shasikala’s power play even as Jayalalitha wasn’t officially pronounced dead! As Prime Time news in the early part of the week attracted eyeballs across channels, the GEC soaps had a new contender those days. For two days, Chennai was the centre of attention. Demonetization and Namo’s Mere Mitron speak were on mute.

Two new shows are women-centric, and showcase a fun face of the gender. Trideviyan is inspired by Charlie’s Angels, in this case Charlie is father-in-law Dinanath Chauhan, a caterer is either Dadjee or Agent Himalaya. The ‘angels’ are his bahus – Dhanu aka Agent Lal Quila and Tanu aka Agent Hawa Mahal. The newest recruit by accident is his daughter Manu aka Agent Qutub Minar. Each agent has her forte, the unsuspecting enemy faces a three pronged attack of ear piercing screams, speed of lightning running and martial arts. Agent Himalaya’s HQ is within the precincts of the family estate, and is a Hi-Tech haven of technology and gadgets which would put Bond to shame. Each agent is given a communication set which looks like a piece of jewellery for the ear. The few action scenes we have seen so far are funny, thrilling and entertaining, as the three women unleash their powers. The three demure ladies trade in their saris and jewelry for black tights, helmet and a motor bike. The saas-bahu touches are interspersed with the action.

&TV’s new show Queen Hai Hum has been inspired by Sex and the City. It revolves around the lives of five women from different walks of life and their bonding. Based in Delhi, all five women come from varied background, but love spending their ‘me time’ together away from their routine hums drum lives.

Maya Biyani is Beauty Queen because she runs a salon; Akanksha Bannerjee Jha, a women’s rights activist is Krantikari Queen; Jhanvi Seth, the Corporate Queen is a workaholic; Tanya Tandon, the Kitchen Queen, puts her family and husband above all else. The fifth Queen, Shreya Dixit Rathore, was a model before she married a royal scion, she earns her crown as the Bold Queen when she pole dances for the women as a dare.

Other than the raucous fun at their pool party and Jhanvi’s parents have her meet a suitable Gujarati boy. Jhanvi sends her secretary instead and the five watch the date live on the tab!

Fresh off the mark, the two desi adaptations of US shows, may need a while to catch on, especially Queens Hai Hum.