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ster is ‘the middle-class’ as opposed to ‘the common people’ and
‘the masses’. This hunger for unconventionality is satisfied by
media, incl. the commercials, the ‘basic art form’ of today, which
inspires even housewives to be unconventional, by using extraordinary
laundry detergents, tooth paste, etc. (Kaus 1998).
The Finnish learned from their Napakymppi experience that
society was full of single people. The easy entertainment and
matchmaking show Reisile sinuga reflects the disappearance of
former strict moral standards and the equal opportunities for
both sexes.
The other favourite game-show Kuulus ja kummaline is an
amusing guessing game. The studio panelists have to guess the
unusual occupation or hobby that the studio guest tries to act in
mime. During the third round the panelists cover their eyes and
try to guess the identity of the famous guest by asking questions.
The famous guest can answer the questions either affirmatively
or negatively, and if the guest happens to be known by
his or her voice, then he or she can choose an alternative way to
answer the questions. If the panelists fail to guess the identity of
the guest under ten ‘lives’, they have lost the round.
Once again, the role of the host is of great importance. As the
game-show does not directly focus on people’s private lives, the
hostess Reet Linna has not quite become the media star Maire
Aunaste or her successor Vahur Kersna were. Nevertheless,
there is no doubt that it has contributed to her great popularity
and renown. And in this game the viewers are again better informed
than the players: they have the answers from the very
start. The panel of players is formed of cheerful and easy-going
people (actors, artists, musicians, other public figures), who make
the show enjoyable and gain popularity in their turn.
21 ) In the game-show “Reisile sinuga” people often characterise themselves
as: “My friends tell me I’m a little/absolutely crazy.” And also “I love to sleep
in the mornings.” The idea is that ordinary people work: and they always get
up at 8 in the morning to go to work. But original, somewhat crazy people
are usually students, even if they are .. awfully lazy. [---] The lazy, but still
enthusiastically studying student is taken as the future leader and boss of
the “ordinary” people. [---] Or, in other words, a master (Kaus 1998).
Media as a Mediator of Games ...
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