fter crime and horror shows, it is the turn of humour to fill time on news channels. The latest in a long line of laughter shows is Sabse Politically Incorrect Kaun (SPIK) on NDTV India. While SPIK, a satire on politics, current affairs, sports and cinema is closer to news, shows like Hanste Hanste on IBN7, Just Laugh Baaki Sab Maaf (JLBSM) on India TV have nothing to do with news.

While SPIK has stand-up comedians coming on stage and satiring on contemporary themes, the other shows are poor clones of Star One's Great Indian Laughter Champions Show (GILCS), mostly featuring Raju Srivastava. What are they doing on a news channel? Are news channels running out of ideas? ... more