The wonder that is Master chef Australia

I have oft wondered why Master chef Australia is so huge in India.

For one, its made by Australians the entire population of which is smaller than that of Bombay. Its made by and features people from a country who are sore losers - sporty nation mind you, but sore losers never the less ( ask the D gang and by D, I mean Dhoni ) It's a section of society representing people who we know can sledge and boy can they sledge. Additionally, they have some crazy custom and duty prohibitions and Indians are treated like suspects from the time they walk in the airport ( sniffer dogs et al ). Now I must admit that this is all hearsay mate but I hear what they say and what they say ain't always pretty.

So why then, pray tell, do we love Master chef Australia?
Is it because Gary and George are so warm and generous? Or because of the celebrity chefs that come on and the eccentricities of the likes of Adriano Zumba? Or maybe its the sets and the exotic locales - Cockatoo islands! Now thats a place I'd love to cockatoo at. Or maybe its the Aussie accent mate! Or the niceness of the contestants - no apprentice type "he stole my ideas &^#$%^&* " or "you can't cook! you're fired!!!"

Here the contestants are gracious and genuine. And when Gary tells them that its their turn to go home if their dish is not up to the mark, they don't threaten his family and vow to avenge their expulsion from the masterchef kitchen. They don't sob on camera and claim partiality or favoritism and come to think of it no one has accused Matt Preston of sleeping with any of the contestants...yet!

Could it be that India, a nation known for her warmth and generosity needs a prime time dose of it herself? Could it be that Indians tune into Master chef to be a part of a one hour happy, friendly and sometimes genuinely funny experience. Now I know a lot of you reading this would probably say its also for the lovely recipes but I say to you, " anything they cook on master chef can be seen in a variety of combination permutations by a variety of other chefs ranging from the oh so gay Ainsley to the rude and ruthless Gordon Ramsay to the "I stay plump so I look young" Nigella to the 'not naked' Naked chef.
But Gary, George and the pretty in pink Matt rule the roost.

Me, I believe its got to do with a formula that makes this show about the food and the people wanting to cook it. Its not about the judges or any celebrity host - wait! there isn't one, or about the life and times of George and how he came over from Greece. It has stayed true to it's objective of picking regular chefs/cooks from all over Australia and giving them a shot at being master chefs. Its done well, cleanly, nicely and with much grace and kindness.
And in the India of today, thats what we are lacking. The over dose of reality TV and the likes of Jerry Springer that have filled our homes and lives have left us wanting to tune into a genuine, clean and truly entertaining program - the wonder that is Master chef Australia.