From sitcoms to variety shows to gripping dramas, TV shows mirror our values, dreams, and challenges.
"Pak Awang Temberang," Singapore's first Malay television drama, depicted the struggles of families migrating to newly built HDB flats. "Talentime" gave ordinary Singaporeans a platform to showcase their talents. The 1980s saw the rise of Chinese dramas like "The Awakening" and "Samsui Women," which reminded Singaporeans of their roots and the sacrifices made by their ancestors to build the nation.
Local sitcoms such as "Under One Roof" resonated with audiences by portraying relatable family dynamics and everyday struggles. "The Ra Ra Show" pushed boundaries with its bold, tongue-in-cheek content, while "The Noose" became a cultural phenomenon by satirising current events and sparking public discourse.
These shows not only entertained but also reflected Singapore’s evolving identity, capturing the hopes, humour, and hardships of its people across generations.
00:00 Opening title
00:18 Television favourites from the past
01:13 Singapore's first ever TV broadcast in 1963
02:20 Impact of TV in Singapore's early years
03:47 Pak Awang Temberang: first Malay drama series
05:26 TV star Rahimah Rahim remembers Pak Awang
07:18 Nurturing local talents on Talentime
09:28 Meet Faridah Dollah, winner in 1978
12:26 Remember the children's show Mat Yoyo?
14:45 Cats of Mat Yoyo reunite
16:50 Start of local Chinese dramas
17:24 Making of Seletar Robbery, Singapore's first Chinese drama
18:53 Telling local stories through dramas
21:20 Immigrant stories to commemorate Singapore's history
24:26 Samsui women and shooting with no CGI
26:23 Why Masters Of The Sea didn't do so well
28:10 Singapore sketch comedy on The Ra Ra Show and its banning
30:21 Under One Roof, the first Singaporean sitcom
34:12 Parodying the news with The Noose
37:54 Addressing social issues with Lion Mums
40:10 Ninjangal, one of the most successful Tamil dramas
42:04 Spotlighting special needs in Your World In Mind
45:33 Television acts as a time capsule for Singapore's history
===========
About On The Red Dot: CNA's weekly programme documents the stories of ordinary Singaporeans and celebrates their resilience, identity and sense of belonging.
===========
On The Red Dot playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkMf14VQEvTYbQaR9ddxnJmJRangPrY5f
#CNAInsider #OnTheRedDot #Singapore #TVShows #Sitcoms #VarietyShows #Dramas #Memories #UnderOneRoof #MatYoyo #Talentime #Television #Nostalgia
For more, SUBSCRIBE to CNA INSIDER!
https://cna.asia/insideryoutubesub
Follow CNA INSIDER on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnainsider/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnainsider/
Website: https://cna.asia/cnainsider