Share

What we loved and hated on TV in 2017

Johannesburg - We’ve had a fair amount of great television to keep us entertained this year, from film iNumber Number (Mzansi Magic) being developed into a TV drama to Tjovitjo (SABC1), the story of a pantsula dance group’s struggle against poverty.

While these two speak to the reality of South Africans, audiences have leaned towards the dreamy life of the weekday soapies. Leading the pack were Uzalo, Generations: The Legacy and Isidingo.

Uzalo dethroned Mfundi Vundla’s baby Generations: The Legacy, which has been a viewer favourite since 1994. Since the relaunch of the show in December 2014, it has consistently led viewership numbers, getting more than 9 million people couched up on weekdays.

A rather sad moment for television, where “the man” ruined entertainment, was when e.tv announced it would no longer air WWE, which it had been doing since 2001. The international rights went to SuperSport, which now airs Raw and SmackDown, as well as WWE specials WrestleMania and SummerSlam.

If there’s one thing we could ask the guardians of the television world, it would be to stop making wedding shows. We have The Wedding Bashers, Say Yes to the Dress, Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? and now Married in a Flash. We’re good with just Our Perfect Wedding.

#Trending’s pics:

- Our favourite show was Tjovitjo, with its stellar cast including the brilliant Warren Masemola and Rapulana Seiphemo. The show pushes the envelope with drone shots and eerie, silent, lingering scenes. Four years ago, Vincent Moloi and Lodi Matsetela pitched it to every broadcaster in the country, including the SABC. All were reluctant. Eventually, they funded it themselves and created it with Puo Pha Productions.

- We hated Married in a Flash, possibly the worst show on South African TV screens. This SABC3 wedding flop, hosted by Nolu Malope, is a cringeworthy and maximum cheesy show that offers selected couples R75 000 to pull off a wedding in 72 hours. The script, if there is one (there’s always a script), is pap. No real humour or drama. I mean, what happens if the couple decide to spend more than R75 000? Game over? Do better SABC3! Do better!

The most watched shows by channel

  • SABC 1: Uzalo
  • SABC 2: Muvhango
  • SABC 3: Isidingo
  • e.tv: Scandal
  • DStv: Our Perfect Wedding
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE