 - Why did you change the channel?
-I'll watch Hababam Sınıfı.
- No, this time I'll watch the football game.
-But you can watch TV while I'm at school, Dad!
-You know dear girl, football games are watched at night. And is this the fifth or sixth time you're watching the same episode of this show?
It was the same dialog with my father when I was a child and wanted to watch Kemal Sunal's film again. Without getting sick and tired of watching those films, I promised him that this time would be the last. However, every time I see it on TV, I can't really help myself.
In his films I would find something different from other films, something that drew me in. I basically became addicted to Kemal Sunal's work. I liked that not-so-smart, naive and pure country boy, “Şaban.” In fact, among all his films I most liked Hababam Sınıfı, literally translated as “Outrageous Class.” Some claim that it has a negative effect on children for showing laziness and unruly behavior as pleasurable. Now as I think of those years, sometimes I envy that class and want to have a similar entertaining time with my friends at school. However, it had never affected my studies in a negative way. Thus, I believe it is related to personality. In the opposite sense it is something like 'You can lead the horse to water but you can't make it drink!'
Some scenes in the film are still in my mind: like that grinning Adile Naşit with such a strange noise like 'hi-hi hi-hi…'; how many great times they had at the dormitory; and that song 'What is happening around the world?' they sang while getting up from bed in the morning. The only obstacle they couldn't manage to overcome was Mahmut Hoca. Moreover, the oral exam scenes burst millions into laughter:
Inspector: Who are the Balkan States?
Şaban: Honestly, there are widespread rumors of them. It isn't certain who they are.
I: What is the thing that isn't clear?
Ş: Balkan States, they are very crowded…
I: How many?
Ş: Around 30-40, it's said.
I: What is he telling? (A servant masquerading as a teacher intervenes.)
It can't be, as I said they are 100-150.
…
I: Tell me about the war!
…
I: Look at them, Mahmut Paşa, I mean Paşa Mahmut, Hoca Paşa Hocam, Paşam… Whenever I come to that class, there is something wrong with me!
The inspector gets crazy!
Now I watch TV very rarely for the news or sometimes have only to glance at what is being shown whilst I eat. I'm too lazy even to change the channel. And the prejudice that there is nothing on TV worth spending time makes me lazy. I mean, I can't understand the ones watching every episode of that “Come Dine with Me,” Acun's show “Deal or No Deal,” or “Fear Factor,” like many others.
For once or twice it is ok but what is the point in being addicted to them? I think the quality of shows, series or films are getting worse and worse. To tell the truth, these days I've begun to be a fan of that top series, Aşk-ı Memnu. I think the visual scenes are more attractive than the old series. And since it involves love, it attracts many viewers. However, compared to the old ones I believe the story is weaker. I suppose it has been extended longer than it could be made. And I wonder whether the technological advances in our lives restrict our imaginative world?
BY MÜGE TEKİN (IE/IV)
tekin_e@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
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