Mark Cherry Getting Desperate

Jerry Seinfeld once said, when asked why he decided not to do the 10th season of Seinfeld, that tv shows are like a great meal. You can have an awesome meal but one bite too many can ruin it. He had had a great run with the show and it was time he bowed out while he was still at the top. The man was reportedly offered $5 mil per episode to continue with the show to its 10th season but he refused. Now that is someone who knows how to read his audience. Unfortunately Marc Cherry the creator of Desperate Housewives doesn’t seem to get that too much of something can be toxic or in this case… desperate

I have been aware of Marc Cherry having signed on for the show to run until its 9th season for some time now. I have to say I think that would be a mistake. I have to say I was not impressed with season 5. The entire season was filled with flashbacks. I didn’t mind them at first because the show jumped 5 years into the future some storylines had to be explained so we can catch up but I kinda got tired of them after a couple of episodes.

The biggest blow obviously was the death of Eddie Britt (Nicollete Sheridan). I wondered if I would still be able to watch the show without her. Then there was the “now we poor and fat and suddenly we rich and skinny within a month” thing with Gabby & Carlos just put me off. I didn’t like the fat Gabby and was happy to get the sassy-mean- but- adorable Gabby back but the storyline was a bit far fetched and totally unrealistic.

I have been doing the math (not that Im good at it) and if my calculation is correct by the end of 9th season we would have had to endure 14 years of these characters’ lives because the show jumped 5 years in season 4 finale. Unles Marc Cherry doesnt decide to jump to the future again. I’m sorry but I don’t think anybody has that much of an interesting life that we’d want to see it for that long. Plus there is no guarantee that all the ladies would sign on until season 9 as yet. I'm already missing Eddie Britt, imagine Westeria Lane without either Gabrielle, Bree or Susan… I dnt care much about Lynette. Rather not have the show at all then. I love these ladies but I think they should hang up their aprons and take a bow while we still care. I mean I will probably still watch the show but would I have the same sentiments that its best drama/comedy of the century by the time it gets to 2013... I doubt it.


Anyway season 6 is currently on M-Net and I pray it doesn’t disappoint. I loved Drea De Mateo in The Sopranos and Joey so I’m kinda curious to see how she fits into Fairview .

Catch the ladies of Westeria Lane on M-Net, Thursdays at 20h30

THE HANSIE MOVIE: Not All Bad

After reading comments on Tashi Tagg’s article on tvsa.co.za, I kinda felt compelled to write a counter article of my views on this movie on my tvsa blog. This is what I wrote:

Film-makers like any other business people know that they can’t please everyone though in terms of profit they’d like to see everybody flocking to cinemas to see their shows. I agree that THE HANSIE MOVIE is not groundbreaking or even that entertaining but there are some good things about that movie that need to be applauded.

What’s wrong about it?

Try as he might to downplay it, Frans Cronje in penning the movie did in some points paint his brother as some “Jesus”. If you gonna tell a story about someone that your audience know all too well the best option is to leave your personal opinion at home and keep to the subject matter. Frans failed dismally to to tell Hansie’s story without the exaggerated “he was a good guy and only did that because…” sentiments

Regardt Van den Berg, on the other hand could have chosen to take the script and use Frans’ vision but use his own experience to portray Hansie as a human being not as a saint like the subsequent material suggests. I know it would have been easy because let’s face it, Hansie can only be depicted in two ways. One, he was a boy from a church going family with impeccable morals who grew to be corrupted by a morally tainted society. Alternatively he could be an obnoxious, deceitful, greedy motha f, who enticed others like some of his team mates into his web of dishonesty and sin.

Now this is where the dilemma comes in. The latter would have made Hansie haters very happy whereas the first depiction, which is what Regardt and Frans went for, makes them seem like in the Cronje’s attempt to restore their son’s legacy they are trying to shift the blame for his action on circumstances. This is laughable.

Whats right with it?

Frank Rautenbach gives a sterling performance as Hansie. He is very convincing and doesn’t try too hard to be Hansie but in some way finds a way to portray this character with some element of truth. The problem with playing real life characters is that actors sometimes can lose touch with the fact that they are a vehicle for the characters they play and not the driver, the story is. If they concentrate too much on being the character then they lose the plot and the audience with it. Case in point Beyonce in Dreamgirls, yes they would claim now that Denna was not Diana Ross but was inspired by her however to the audience and clearly to Beyonce, Deena was Diana. In trying to be Diana, Beyonce lost sight of who Deena was and in the process lost her audience. Compare that to Morgan Freeman as Mandela. He doesnt try to be the man, like copy everything about him, but he allows the story to lead him to the Mandela his audience expects to see. Morgan was true to the character and I believe in playing Hansie, Frank managed to do that.

The other thing that’s applaudable about the movie is that it’s beautiful to watch. Some of the scenes in the movie were shot using Phantom high speed camera which produced detailed slow motion footage. Those of you who have seen Planet Earth would know how mesmerizingly beautiful such a shot is especially watching it on HD tv. Hansie gets a nod from me for being the first SA movie to employ such innovative use of technology

I know we all have different tastes and opinions but once in while we have to give credit where credit is due and I hope by sharing my thoughts with you about Tashi’s article and the movie itself would encourage you to sometimes look beyond what it’s expected of you and formulate your own opinions. It’s funny how sometimes because of the hype or criticism one ends up not really having his own opinion about a movie but gets entangled in the noise it creates. I have actually stopped reading movie reviews and very rarely see a movie in cinemas. I prefer dvd because you can pause and rewind if you don’t get where the story is going. And I love the special features. It’s amazing how hearing about the actors and directors’ thoughts about their movies can give you a different perspective on the movie, be it positive or negative.

Good riddance Tyra, Hello Wendy

The Tyra Banks Show premiered on SABC 3 on January 11th. Sadly for South african Tyra fans the show has been cancelled in the states. I for one am happy to see it leave our screens. I like Tyra and think she has a great future in media however I hated the show mainly because of her hypocritical and sometimes narcissistic approach to interviews. She had this tendency of making everything about her. If she had a guest on she would find a way to make their story less than what “she has been through”. Yes sometimes it helps to compare someone’s story to yours as an interviewer if you relate but with Tyra hers was always worse or more meaningful than her guest’s. Yes Tyra Banks is a role model to a lot of young black girls and she has the business savvy that has led to her being dubbed “the next Oprah” but the woman didn’t crack it as a talkshow host.


There were also rumours that she was mean to her staff which was contradictory to the “sister to all” image she was portraying on her show and on America’s Next Top Model. Of course these rumours are just allegations and she continues to succeed in other ventures she is involved in. ANTM is still doing well and apparently her company Bankable Production is moving in to making movies. Well, I wish her luck with that and hopefully she can grow and learn that you can’t succeed at everything in life. I went to Tyra’s website and of course she claims that the decision to end the show was hers but reports are the ratings were down and it became expensive to produce the show after it was moved from LA to NY.

As one diva leaves the small screen another rises to take the reigns and in this case Wendy Williams has become the’ it’ girl of the talk show world. Some have even claimed that Wendy’s success maybe partially to blame for Tyra and Oprah’s demise. Tyra focused more on targeting teens whereas Oprah just lost steam and then comes the over-the-top Wendy, Ty and O just didn’t stand a chance. Like in politics, tv audiences just needed a change. Ironic since the same message that helped Oprah’s friend Obama get in oval office may have something to do with the demise of her cash cow show. Wendy’s over-the-top and yet down-to-earth approach to her hosting has led to audiences flocking to her show in droves. She is not a celeb and doesn’t feel the need to suck up to big names stars like Oprah and Tyra did. That has made her relatable with her audiences.

It maybe a while until we get to see Wendy in Mzansi tv. I mean SABC is probably cant afford to pick her show up as its still kinda new and M-Net is unlikely to pick up a “black” talkshow (let’s be real, M-Net is a white channel J… u knw wat I mean). I suggest you go to youtube and see clips from the show. It’s great. Notably though is the interview with Whitney Houston Wendy knows how to press the buttons. She is real, Whitney is throwing some F*** word all over the interview, it’s just hilarious.

Simply put I think Wendy is direct and yet approachable which Tyra and Oprah could never be. Well maybe Oprah was 15years ago but people are tired of her “My friend Mandela”, “My friend John Travolta” etc … I know I am.

Why is Ajax the most hated character in Mzansi?

Whether you like it or not Generations is the most watched and talked about show in South Africa. It’s also a fact that the show is really a good platform for actors to raise their celebrity status. Yes, I say celebrity and not acting because let’s be honest some of the actors in the show can’t act to save their lives … I will not mention names, that’s another debate all together. I for one couldn’t care less about it. I haven’t really followed the show since it kinda became an infomercial for companies like PEP.

I have however noticed that a lot of its viewers don’t like Ajax. Since I don’t watch it much and not really that clued up on the character’s storylines so I will pose the question to you guys. Is it because the actor playing the role, Psyfo, is bad or the storyline is boring? If the latter is the case then why hasn’t the producers taken heed of their viewers’ complains. All you have to do is go on to the SABC1 website and even here on the Generations discussion blog the general feeling I get is that Ajax is more hated than any other actor ever on SA tv.

My personal issue with Psyfo has actually nothing to do with his acting abilities. It’s a general discontent with the channel and the artists they use. I sometimes get the feeling that once you do something on the channel and become the channel’s “golden boy or girl” you get a free pass on to Generations whether you can act or not. I’m just waiting to see Ziso Beda on the show since she is currently SABC 1’s it girl. It seems like if somebody likes you at the channel they will get you on almost every show or anything that has the channel’s name attached to whether you can deliver or not. Zola was at some stage “the SABC 1 guy” then there was DJ Sbu and now it’s Ziso. None of them were ever on Gen but there were in everything else that had to do with SABC 1. We all know Psyfo from Yotv and with Selae also from yotv in Generations, its kinda hard not to think that way. Wonder when is CC getting something from the channel?

Ziso Beda

Then there is the whole issue about the “Generations Curse” as I call it. For most if not all actors in SA, Generations is the ultimate gig. You do Generations, you are a star; everybody knows your name, you are on the covers on magazines and once you are off the show you become unemployable. Whatever happened to all those actors, too many to mention, who were on Generations and are now nowhere to be seen? Is Generations a career killer? Or does all actors in SA just wait to get on Generations and after that they quit the industry because let’s face it, what’s higher than SABC. Are they then too egotistic about doing anything else deemed lower than Generations once they leave? Perhaps they are unemployable because after Gen they command higher pay and no-one can afford to match Gen. Could it be that the actors are too proud to take anything less than what they got from Gen? Whatever the reasons are my observation is that the Generation Curse has destroyed careers.

This begs the question, can Psyfo still sustain an acting career after Generations seeing as the nation loathes his character. We all know that in SA, tv viewers still can’t separate an actor from his role. Psyfo will always be known as Ajax no matter what he does after Gen. Will the cloud of hatred for Ajax still follow him after Generations. I don’t know the answer to that but if history is anything to go by, I would say the boy’s future as an actor hangs on thread

Why do Generations viewer hate Ajax? Is it because Sipho "Psyfo" Ngwenya is a terrible actor or is the Ajax character just boring?

Moshidi Brings The Rhythm Back To The City

A lot of our SA actors never get the praise they deserve for a job well done. I'm not much of a soap fan but recently I have found myself tuning in religiously to Rhythm City to watch Moshidi Motshegwa. I have always been a huge fan of Moshidi’s work. She is one of the few actors we have who are able to play diverse characters with an ease that deserves the highest of all accolades in performing arts.

When I first heard that she was going to be on Rhythm City I was a bit skeptical of how her character will make an impact on the show. Boy was I in for a huge surprise, the girl has rhythm. She has taken the character she plays and made it so funny without being cheesy. Moshidi is one of those actors that understand what role playing. She never wants to upstage her role. She lets the character blossom on its pace not hers. She was quoted on Tonight mag saying this about the character "Naomi is risqué, in your face and certainly not afraid to push the envelope. I’m consumed by making this character believable, fierce and phenomenal". All I can say is, gurl… you nailed it.

Moshidi is so mesmerizing and slap-your-knee-holler-out-loud funny in portraying this seemingly evil character. Importantly, not that it’s suprising, my girl manages to hold her own acting opposite SA Screen greats like Lionel Newton and Jamie Bartlet. One could be tempted to say Naomi, this sociopathic slut, is the ultimate rival to David Genaro (played by Jamie Bartlet). I loved the scene this week where David says to sidekick that Naomi is just like her He said it with such admiration and awe in his voice that I thought to myself; it’s on biatch!!!


Can’t wait to see whats in store for Naomi, as for Moshidi… kudos girl!!! Thanks for making my daily 18h30 viewing pleasurable.

PS: Less scenes between”Naomi”( Moshidi Motshegwa) and "Sbu" (Lundi Radu) please. The pretty boy falls short on his delivery and makes the scenes weak. Keep pairing him with “Gail” (Pam Andrews) so I can skip those scenes.

What went wrong, Thandiswa?

Growing up in a house that could best be describes as “the united nations” household, I struggled to find my niche and identity. I was a black boy who, though his world was caramel, still yearned to retain his blackness. Inevitably, the world you live in will influence your lifestyle. My taste, my interest in life, my aspirations were what some people would deem too white. Then once during a trip to Brits I heard this group singing on the radio. I asked my cuzz who they were and he said Bongo Maffin. Right there and then I fell in love especially with the girl, RED ... she called herself. She was a pretty girl with a sultry voice.

BEFORE

Years later my girl was no longer RED but now Thandiswa Mazwai, and all hell broke loose. Personally her music got too heavy for me so I never really followed her career from then on. The scandals ensued: Baby with fellow band member, Lesbian affair… then our girl decided it was time to get in touch with her roots. That’s when the pretty girl with a sultry voice turned into a confused frumpy looking blob with a nice voice. I get the whole, I’m African thing but come on. There has been some instances when she looks like she hasn’t taken a bath for days. The final straw for me was when she was doing a concert in Europe and you could clearly see some hair on her armpits. Is that what being African is about?

AFTER

Ok image is not everything when you talented but if you gonna push into our throats then you better know what you doing. Upon further investigations I heard sista is wearing Palesa Mokubung’s designs, that’s when I thought our sista might need a visit to Sterkfontein. Palesa is a talented designer but she clearly hasn’t learned that what looks great on the ramp, might not look as appealing on the street. Too much of anything is bad. I feel both Palesa and Thandiswa are taking this “african” thing too far. Don’t let yourself go and the use being African as an excuse, sisi. What are you trying to say about our africaness? Yes you don't need a weave and all that... Nonhle has that plastic look covered... keep it natural, please by all means but also keep it clean!!!

On the flip side of the coin, there are those who just trying too hard to be noticed. Boom Shaka’s Kelly Rowland, Thembi Seete has a new albumn out. Sadly though, the quality of her albumn sleeve is sloopy at best. Recession or not cant Gallo afford photoshop? The pics look like they were taken with a Samsung E250 phone camera. Ever heard of airbrushing, Miss Seete? And whats with the hoochie look. This pic of you in the bath tub is a little too raunchy for me, ok blame my virgin mind but damn what are you selling lady? This is sexy gone wrong!

Eish my sista , I hear some people weren’t paid for the video shoot. Be careful nana atleast Thandiswa can actually sing. Burning your bridges might not be a good thing for your future. The hoochie thing might get the boys to buy your music while forgeting that you actually can’t sing but it gets old. So pay up, you might need this people when you 50 and can't rock the blonde weaves and flash your boobs anymore.

Haai ... Ku nzima.

pics: Google

2009: Year Of The Underdog

For a while we have been bombarded by gold digging bimbos and talentless wannabes hogging the limelight from bonafide talent in the entertainment industry. In 2009 though the tide turned. Yes, the usual publicity hoes like Khanyi Mabu and Paris Hilton made the headlines but some unexpected stars managed to shine through as well. Though one can be tempted to blame executives for pushing beauty before talent when creating brands we as the public have to take some responsibility. Let’s face it. We are the ones who buy into the whole farce. Khanyi wouldn’t be Khanyi if no-one paid attention to her. These people are just a reflection of how plastic over society has become. The industry is just feeding us what we want. Someone might argue the opposite, that the industry feeds us what they want us to eat. Mainstream media does promote popular culture but I strongly believe that the choice still remains with the consumer. If you don’t buy it, they won’t sell it. Simple.

I was very happy last year when the public seemed to wake up from this bling-leave your mind in the toilet-frivolous euphoria and started taking note of great talent before looking at the exterior of a person. You unlikely to see them on the covers of your magazine but their talents will ensure that history doesn’t forget them.

MaBloggers these are the Ugly ducklings who became the Darlings of 2009.

Susan Boyle

In a world that teaches our kids that being pretty is everything Susan proved that sometimes talent does outshine looks. She didn’t win Britain’s Got Talent but she managed to become the biggest personality Britain has had since Princess Diana. She doesn’t have the beauty of the Britneys of this world and at 48 many would think she has passed her prime but Susan has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Her albumn is still breaking records and continues to out sell well established artist like Elton John.

Baby Cele

Ok Baby doesn’t lack much in the looks department but after her stint on Backstage many thought her star had fallen but this phoenix rose from the ashes. She joined the current season of one of the only 3 shows I watch on SABC, Home Affairs. She replaced my fav SA actress Nthati Moshesh as Thandeka and boy she did not disappoint. Good to see you back sister

Darren Rajbal

This baby faced hip hop dancer was the winner of South Africa’s Got Talent, taking home a grand prize of R250 000. What made his winning special is that Darren is deaf. I was personally touced because I figured it must have taken a lot of dedication and talent for someone who can’t hear the music to dance as superbly as Darren did. One only wonders how inspiring it must have been for many young hearing impaired kids in SA to see Darren win. He is truly a hero and I believe that his win gave someone out there the strength to believe that if he can do it so can they.

Caster Semenya

I will not even go into Caster’s rise to fame and the subsequent trauma she endured at the hand of the media and politicians. I will say this though, her story is one that will go down in history as the biggest exploitation ever commited on a public platform by our media and politicians in this country. As for Athletics SA, shame on them!!! But Caster has to be a very strong person to have endured all that humiliation and still managed to keep her sanity. Kudos girl and all the best for the new year and future endeavours

Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe

Not since Jennifer Hudson on Dreamgirls has a black actress captured audiences’ hearts like Gabby did in Precious. Like J-Hud, Gabby’s on screen talent runs parallel to her real life journey from obscurity to the red carpets of the world. Truth be told in this world, Gabby is what would be considered ugly. Forget about Ugly Betty, I mean what’s ugly about America Ferrera? Gabby is the real Cinderella, the ugly duckling who will never become a swan but she is now a rising star. Her performance in Precious has earned her praises from many film critics and audiences. For a moment this woman who can’t have had an easy life is living a fairy tale. One can only hope that this is the beginning of a wonderful career for her.



While on the issue of Precious and underdogs, thanks to this movie Mariah Carey has managed to shed the label of being a “failed singer-cum-actress” she got from Glitter. She has managed to give a stunning performance as a dowdy welfare caseworker. She is so convincing you turn to forget about her fake boobs and diva personality. Now that’s called acting… Good work Mimi.

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