Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, everyday it’s the same story different cast and it all happens in the 18:30 slot on SABC1, which is overflowing with the same content.
The 18:30 slot is chilli hot considering how rife the competition is. On etv there’s Rhythm City, SABC 2 has 7de Laan and the SABC 3 has Isidingo - these are all multi-award winning programs . So, the trick was for SABC 1 to come up with its’ own “banger” that would compete with the most watched TV programs on “extra strong” TV.
So what was the show stopper? Celeb content!
I would assume that the majority of SABC1's audience enjoys watching programs that are filled with celeb content but at the end of the day I wonder how much is too much.
On Mondays there’s Mzansi Insider, which is a lifestyle program. Within their show’s content they cover events, celebrity gossip and behind the scenes of SABC 1 shows. In summary it screams CELEBRITY CONTENT!
Tuesdays is Headwrap, which focuses on challenging South African artists to move out of their comfort zones by collaborating with unfamiliar music genres and culture. Although the artists are celebrities themselves, the format of the show differs from the rest. So, we’ll excuse Headwrap.
On Wednesday we have Selimathunzi, which is a lifestyle/variety show. The show covers events, celebrity lifestyle and trends in addition to other content.
Amongst the 18:30 players, Selimathunzi has played the game the longest and even introduced the celebrity Duku Duku Awards. So, it doesn’t have to scream - we kind of know it to be made up CELEBRITY CONTENT!
Then on Thursdays it’s Seskhona (Once Wala Wasala disappears) another lifestyle/variety show. Although it’s not “In your face,” there is content that focuses on celebrity lifestyles and social events. The scream may be more of a shallow shout, but we heard it, it’s CELEBRITY CONTENT!
The week ends with Jam Alley Crew vs Crew on Friday, which is a music entertainment show. Although the actual Jam Alley was around for a long time, Crew vs Crew is a baby amongst the other 18:30 players and it’s also excused from the celebrity content.
Then, the weekend ushers in Real Goboza on Saturday which is
supposed to be a celebrity gossip and entertainment magazine. I don’t need to go into it's content because with it's mouth shut it was already stamped CELEBRITY CONTENT!
Am I sounding a bit redundant?
Don’t blame me, Blame it on the CE-CE-CE-CELEB CONTENT!
Think about it, a not-so-epic event such as the SAMAs
awards with Khanyi Mbau as Professor’s hype woman would already be in the Sunday tabloids. Then 18:30 on Monday, then again Wednesday - as if that’s not enough, we’ll see it again on Thursday. As we try to forget it, it will be butchered on Saturday.
That’s my rant, but maybe this repetition is what the “target market” wants and I’m just an old miserable fogy in the bundus.
So, what’s your take?