Vicki Versus Karishma: Remembering Supercute Robotics

No denying I’m damn obsessed with an American comedy science fiction sitcom Small Wonder and its Hindi remake Karishma Kaa Karishma — way before I watched The Big Bang Theory, The Simpsons or Game of Thrones marathons. Remember, cute robot Vicki from Small Wonders and its adorable Hindi counterpart from Karishma Ka Karishma. Of course, you do.

Both, the Voice Input Child Identicant aka girl robots in the family were quite fascinating indeed and these girls were an instant hit of that time. Interestingly, Vicki and Karishma were the different kinds of characters altogether, but these adorable Voice Input Child Identicants won millions of hearts with their innocence and cuteness.

Their literal-mindedness, super-strength, and monotone voice are some super qualities why most of us envy Vicki and Karishma. Soon, they entered our lives through the TV screen and made us fall in love with them. The impact is so high that I couldn’t stop myself comparing both the characters and this is absolutely worth investing your time. Here’s everything about Vicki Versus Karishma:

– Super Duper Hit!

• Tiffany Brissette as Vicki the ten-year-old robot (a Voice Input Child Identicant — get it?) created by inventor Ted Lawson for United Robotronics in an effort to assist handicapped children. She was the youngest member of the Lawson family.

• This cutie as the desi robot played the titular role on Indian TV series Karishma Ka Karishma. The robot lived within a family environment so that it can mature.

– A Heartbreaking Plot

• In the TV series, she was ‘modelled off’ of a Missing Child poster that Ted (Dick Christle) saw in town. Kind of a heartbreaking plot I must say. Oof!!! Ted Lawson, an engineer/inventor designed her to assist handicapped children.

• The storylines revolve around Karishma — a desi lifelike robot designed by a scientist, Vikram. Designed to find out if the robot will become more human-like as time goes on. Her family made every possible attempt to keep Karishma’s real identity a secret from the rest of the world, especially their nosey neighbours.

– Extraordinarily Talented

• She was an extraordinarily talented child. Spinning her head 360 degrees, picking up a refrigerator, playing football and performing strange mimicry are her favourite hobbies.

• She is an epitome of a well-bred child who helps an urban, educated Punjabi family of Vikram and Sheetal in possibly every crisis situation. Did I mention she was an all-rounder?

– A Brave Robot

• When she met another robot — Love at First Byte — computer dating goes haywire. She fell in love with this machine and confessed her feelings in front of her family. The brave Vicki, I must say.
• She loves to be surrounded by her family.

– My Strength

• She was fond of flaunting her karate skills by cracking tables instead of wooden boards or bricks. PJ…. I know.

• This cute artificial intelligence in a red polka dotted frock who speaks like an android as the protagonist, is a good girl programmed for good and positive values of Hindustani ladki.

– Smoking Kills

• Jamie and Reggie puffed for the first time; in an effort to be mature. She tried smoking too.

• Girl… smoking in India… hey Bhagwan. Don’t you know that a girl from a decent and cultured (Indian) family would never ever smoke? When pados wali Pummy, Sarita, Babita, Hema, Rakha, Jaya and Sushma aunty come to know — bhabhi ne ladki ko control nahi kiya.

– Emotions! Emotions! Emotions!

• She may have seemed emotionless, but she was so emotional.

• She doesn’t feel attached to anyone or anything. The word emotion is not in her dictionary.

– Fast forward

• She did give some guest appearances after the show went off air. In 2007, TiffanyBrissette worked as a nurse in Boulder, Colorado. Also, she co-hosted a show called the 700club in the year 1991.

• She has grown up to be a vivacious, young BA second year History student at Bhavan’s College, Andheri, Mumbai.

– This Is What She Looks Like Now

• She is a grown woman of 40 now.

• Well, the cute little 6-year-old Artificial Intelligence (aka AI), Jhanak Shukla is all grown up now. With curly hair and beautiful eyes hypnotize teri kardi hai mennu, she look still so cute and carries that innocent streak.

Both, Vicky from Small Wonders and the adorable desi counterpart Karishma from Karishma Ka Karishma were too talented to be ignored. I wish I can travel back in time and just bring these super cuties back again. But the wheels of time never stop turning, do they?

Time for some girl power!