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Johannesburg - The decriminalisation of marijuana in many states around the US has ushered in a new era of television programming – a very green, smoky one. A hilarious forerunner in this genre is TV personality Martha Stewart’s (famous for her lifestyle, cooking and craft empire) and iconic rapper Snoop Dogg’s cooking show Potluck Dinner Party, currently showing on BET.
Though seemingly worlds apart, Stewart and Snoop have an interesting thing in common: they’re both ex-cons. Stewart served time for lying about a stock sale and Snoop has been in jail for various violations, including marijuana possession. The two have been friends for quite some time (who knew) and joke their way through the preparation of meals that are then judged by special guests who rock up just to chill and hang with the pair.
“I’m not high right now,” says Snoop in the hilarious intro to the first episode. “But whoever gave us this show must have been.” The episode sees actor and director Seth Rogen and rapper Wiz Khalifa as guests in the kitchen for a Fried Chicken Championship. Rogen steps out with a fire extinguisher as a gift for his hosts (in case the cooking turns disastrous) while Khalifa brings along his very own strain of weed called Khalifa Kush, which he later kindly sprinkles into Stewart’s pot. Snoop chooses a hood recipe, crumbling potato chips on to his chicken, while Stewart has a slightly more lavish approach, gently flouring and seasoning her dish.
The show features a deejay who drops tracks and makes funny comments every now and then. Whenever someone opens the fridge on Stewart’s side, classical music comes pouring out. On Uncle Snoop’s side it plays a hard knocking hip-hop joint. Later on, the doorbell rings and out steps West Coast gangster rap legend Ice Cube, who stays for dinner.
I’ve never been one for cooking shows. I simply couldn’t move past Nigella Lawson, but this show does sincerely seem like one that I could mess with. No matter what Snoop may decide to call himself in the future, he’ll still be Mr Gin and Juice with his unique brand of entertainment that Stewart complements in a dope way. No pun intended. Just imagine the type of weed-related programming South Africa could create once we take the step to legalise the green ourselves. One can dream.
Watch a trailer here:
Catch Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party Wednesday at 21:00 on BET (DStv 129).
