Season 1
You Deserve It is a South African game show with a reality component based on the American format of the same name created by Dick de Rijk and produced locally by Penguin Films in which contestants try to win cash prizes for a nominated beneficiary who has no idea that they have been nominated until they are surprised on location by a crew who delivers the good news along with a cheque.
The series premiered on e.tv on Sunday 22 September 2013, at 18h05. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 1 aired on e.tv from 22 September to 15 December, 2013, on Sundays at 18h05. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are 13 episodes in the first season.
Synopsis
Based on the principle that it is better to give than to receive, You Deserve It combines a format that features a game show and a reality show element.
The contestants on the show do not walk away with the money they win. Instead, they choose to play on behalf of a deserving beneficiary. The beneficiary has no idea and only when the contestant wins the money, do they surprise the beneficiary on location.
You Deserve It is hosted by Sydney Matlhaku in studio, whilst Nkanyiso Bhengu serves as the field reporter.
Each week, the contestants have to resolve a who, what or where question with clues that are given to them. However, the clues are not free. The more clues they take, the less money they walk away with.
The goal is to guess the answers using the least possible number of clues in order to win the most money for the beneficiary. Therefore it all comes down to the contestant's knowledge, intuition and ability to keep a cool head under immense pressure.
The contestant brings along two or three supporters who are there to guide and cheer them through the emotional decision making.
Episodes
Episode 1
TX: 22 September 2013
In this week's episode Nandi Msezani, a human rights activist based in Gauteng, will be playing to win for her mother, who like many wonderful people in this country sees the incredible importance of educating a child and has dedicated her life to ensuring she contributes in this way to many children's lives. Nandi's interests include Natural History and wild life.
Episode 2
TX: 29 September 2013
In this week's episode Sibongiseni Gentsu, a social media manager in Gauteng, will be playing for someone who is like a father to him. This man is one of those people who was desperate to see the youth in his community progress, and he decided to find a way to get them to be positive people through counseling and mentoring. Thabang's interests include sport and entertainment.
Episode 3
TX: 6 October 2013
In this week's episode Jane Ferreira-Eedes will be playing for her employee who has recently lost her home due to a shack fire in the Western Cape. Jane knows how hard this woman works for her children and wants to help her get back on her feet. Jane has a wide interest base.
Episode 4
TX: 13 October 2013
In this week's episode Nomawethu 'Wewe' Sokoyi will be playing for her mentor, her mom, who continues to be selfless and even after a very abusive relationship, opened her heart and home for children who need love and safety in the Western Cape. Wewe is interested in soccer.
Episode 5
TX: 20 October 2013
In this week's episode Noluntu Dladla from Kwazulu-Natal will be playing for her spirited mom who has dedicated her life to focusing on helping to correctly treat people with HIV so as to help them lead healthier and longer lives.
Episode 6
TX: 27 October 2013
In this week's episode Jean Matroos from the Western Cape will be playing for his old school buddy and his family, whose little girl was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 5.
Episode 7
TX: 3 November 2013
In this week's episode Siyabulela Nkachela will be playing for his first tennis coach whose passion for sport has inspired children in Mmabatho in the North West to go beyond anything they could imagine themselves, and who continues to changes people's lives through tennis.
Episode 8
TX: 10 November 2013
In this week's episode Leigh Cupido will be playing for his cousin who runs an organization that empowers people with Cerebal Palsy in the Western Cape. She chose to start this after she was greatly affected by her own daughter's condition.
Episode 9
TX: 17 November 2013
In this week's episode Poppie Mahlangu will be playing for a school in Limpopo for special needs students. She is personally affected as she herself is disabled, and wants to change the perception of disabled people in South Africa and help uplift them through education.
Episode 10
TX: 24 November 2013
In this week's episode Thobeka will be playing for her friends who run the Trinity Children's Centre in the Western Cape, who have chosen to use their skills and resources to run a pre-school in one of the poorest townships in the area.
Episode 11
TX: 1 December 2013
In this week's episode Lungisa Chilli will be playing for his Alma Mater Music Academy. He wants to help the director of the academy change the lives of young people through music the way his own life was turned around.
Episode 12
TX: 8 December 2013
In this week's episode William Jiyana, a university lecturer from Mpumalanga, will be playing for a young motivational speaker who he truly admires.
Episode 13
TX: 15 December 2013
In this week's episode Kevin Mthi will be playing for his mentor who runs a chilldren's home in the Western Cape with his wife. He admires their willingness to constantly make sacrifices in order to improve the lives of others.
Seasons
Series exclusive to e.tv
Season 1 (13 episodes)
Premiere: 22 September 2013 | Finale: 15 December 2013 | Sundays, 18h05
Season 2 (13 episodes)
Premiere: 9 February 2014 | Finale: 4 May 2014 | Sundays, 18h05