When the glitz and glamour of the recent Star Awards took over social media feeds, one Singaporean uncle, 58-year-old Mr Tan, remained completely unfazed. “Aiya, who care about Star Awards? TV all rubbish now,” he declared with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Mr Tan, who works as a taxi driver, proudly shared that he has not switched on his television for over 20 years. He said he grew tired of repetitive dramas and reality shows that, in his words, “all like same one, nothing new lah.” Instead, he gets his daily dose of entertainment through YouTube videos on his phone during breaks. “I watch old-school songs, cooking shows, and sometimes funny cat videos. Shiok lah!”
According to Mr Tan, the last time he remembered being excited about local TV was during the days of classic shows like Under One Roof and Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd. He fondly recalled how his family used to gather around the living room after dinner to catch episodes together. But over time, as more streaming platforms emerged and mobile devices became widespread, his interest in broadcast television faded.
Uncle Encourages Younger Generation to Focus on Real Life
Mr Tan believes young Singaporeans are wasting time following celebrity gossip and flashy award shows. “Don’t be kaypoh lah, better go study or learn new skill,” he advised, adding that real-life achievements matter more than who wore what on the red carpet.
He also suggested spending more quality time with family instead of getting sucked into endless entertainment. “Last time kampung spirit stronger, now everyone just stare at screen,” he lamented.
While some might find his views old-fashioned, Mr Tan’s perspective is a timely reminder to balance digital consumption with real-world connections.