Where Were You? is a South African television comedy game show produced by Curious Pictures in which a regular panel of entertainment personalities and weekly mystery guests are challenged to answer television trivia questions from the last 30 years of South African TV broadcasting.
The participants are tested on their TV memory using archival visual image and sound from the history of television broadcast in South Africa. The show is hosted by Fezile Mpela.
Where Were You? premiered on SABC2 on Friday 29 August 2008, at 21h00. There are 13 half-hour episodes in the series.
Synopsis
Do you remember when Joe "S'dumo" Mafela made S'Gudi S'Nice a household catchphrase? Or Telly Fun Quiz, Wielie Walie and Nommer Asseblief? Or do you remember when Selimathunzi took over from Ngom'qibelo ka Mokibelo?
Where Were You? is a comical new game show to test our knowledge of South African pop culture.
For 30 years South Africans have been watching local television, and in 30 years a host of icons have appeared including the good, the bad and the ugly of big names in television, music, sport and fashion – these household heroes, names and faces are the stars of Where Were You?.
Together with 32 years of nostalgia, Where Were You? combines a riotous panel of South African media personalities, a conversant and quick-witted host and scores of unexpected special guests.
Host and ringmaster is Fezile Mpela; an actor and television presenter known for his role as Sello in the SABC2 soapie 7de Laan.
There are also seven permanent contestant panelists: radio and television personality Amanda Forrow, sports journalist and TV and radio presenter Kwena Moabelo, comedian Mel Miller, actress Moshidi Motshegwa, TV presenter Dosto Noge, actress Hanli Rolfes-Opperman and comedian Darren Maule.
The contestant panelists also act out scenes from old television shows.
Joining the regular panelists each week on Where Were You? is a mystery guest, including the likes of former television newsreaders, continuity presenters, popular radio DJ’s, actors, musical greats and sporting heroes.
Mystery guests become part of the panel for the evening to find out how much we all know about the history of South African popular culture.
Where Were You? brings the funny, poignant, important and memorable moments in South African broadcast history back onto our television screens. It features scenes from by-gone eras when big hairstyles and parachute pants ruled.
Although there are points on offer for guessing the correct answers, the points are ultimately useless as there are no prizes to be won. The emphasis of the show is more on its entertainment value.
Episodes
Episode 1
This week join our mystery guest as we relive memories of boyish mischievousness. Darren Maule and Dosto Noge play out the naughty antics of Afrikaans drama Trompie en die Boksombende and Harry’s House.
Episode 2
This week presenter Fezile Mpela has been scratching in the archive and he’s found a radio interview from 1974 when Miss South Africa Anneline Kriel won the Miss World Pageant.
Episode 3
This week we look at some back in the day slapstick clips from Inyakangaka and the Knicky Knacky Knoo Show.
Episode 4
This week we ask where were you when Venda soapie Muvhango had its first episode. With over 750 episodes aired, tonight we honour the long-running soapie with some flashback footage celebrating the culture and language of this family saga.
Episode 5
This week we time warp our memories of educational dramas. Where Were You? dips into the archives for two school dramas - Dikolong, to remind us of the good old days and Yizo Yizo’s in-your-face reality of fast times and hard lessons.
Episode 6
This week Mel Miller, Hanli Rolfes-Opperman and Amanda Forrow loosen their tongues to our amusement as they are put to the vocal challenge of Miriam Makeba’s Click song (Qongqothwane). Could you meet the same challenge?
Episode 7
This week it’s about the 80’s - how did hot tekkies, big hair and flaming dance moves get the nation jiving. Mercy Tshis'amateki Phakela footage was found and we’ve dusted off her video Tshisa.
Episode 8
This week we ask did your mother ban you from watching late night TV because of Lesilo’s ghostly dirty work? Lesilo was the ghost caller that made kids cry in fear and found all types of evil spirits to do his bidding, but who remembers the shamefully inept police officer who could never quite crack the mystery. You’ll soon shiver with memories of Raithlwane and his pipe.
Episode 9
This week Fezile has found a heart-warming memory from our collective nostalgia. Where were you when little Ricardo hit all the radio waves with "I love you daddy"?
Episode 10
This week sports mania is on the agenda. Where were you when Wally Hayward finished the Comrades marathon at the age of 80? If you haven’t had enough from the Olympics, test your sports memory tonight.
Episode 11
This week we look at kwela era memories brought to life with classic video featuring fresh and vibrant images of the Jo'burg cityscape and a young Miriam Makeba. 30 years after the video our contestants are challenged to try to top this old time favourite with their own renditions.
Episode 12
This week contestants are stumped by the archive as a classic theme song escapes their memory. Where were you when Haas Das se Nuus Kas broadcast from the Animal Kingdom? Could you sing the theme song for 1,000 points?
Episode 13
This week the final episode of the current season of Where Were You? takes viewers on a visual journey with clips from uDeliwe, the story of a young girl beckoned by the bright lights of the city to leave the rural areas in search of her success. Where were you when television came to South Africa?