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City Press TV review
Show: Presenter Search on 3
Channel: SABC 3 (DStv 193)
When: Thursday, 20:30*
Rating: 2 stars
So this is happening again. People with hopes of being continuity presenters on SABC3 filled various stadiums in the country in March and April. The prize will involve the winners appearing on one of this channel’s lifestyle programmes.
This is honestly some well-worn television, but at least SA Television and Film Award winner Pabi Moloi is the host. I’ve always found her to be elegant, yet off the wall and quirky. I could watch her do a show on how slowly paint dries on a wall.
Naturally, there are judges who receive the hopefuls and dish out a verdict and feedback – at least that’s what judges usually do. On Presenter Search on 3 they ask sexy dudes to take their shirts off and almost every second person is a singer these days, so there are quite a few a cappella renditions on display. The judges include DJ Fresh, Michael Mol and the mad fly Jeannie D.
It’s all fun and light-hearted, but this panel needs a Randall Abrahams or Simon Cowell influence to it. Where is Somizi?
There are no damning critiques, even when the person is terribly hopeless. This is probably because presenters are boring people cast from the same mould. They all have that highbrow way of speaking, almost as if they’ve been drinking Moët and eating caviar since birth. Then there are those vogue-like hand gestures that seem to be a must-do in this type of work.
I can’t wait for the day they invent a robot that can do what that Katlego Maboe does. There’s a reason TV channels got rid of continuity presenters to intro the next show on the channel. Remember those days?
Now those people have found homes on mediocre shows like Afternoon Express and Expresso. If you’ve entered the presenter search, then you’d best hold thumbs for a Top Billing slot.
The best parts of all this are the people who suck and could never actually do this job. Besides that, the audition process is a lot of introductions and walking from one mark on the floor to the next.
Four of the best hopefuls are chosen from each of the stops the show has made. These contestants are put through their paces, with master classes that involve doing a link while making coffee or a high-profile interview with someone like Basetsana Kumalo.
My understanding of reality TV is that certain measures are taken to ensure there’s a bit of drama. Maybe you plant a few people in the line who’ll do particularly crazy things and cause a stir. You also need a slightly more volatile judging panel.
Presenter Search on 3 needs a complete overhaul in my opinion. We can keep Jeannie and Pabi though.
* Due to the Soccer World Cup, Presenter Search on 3 is now being broadcast an hour later, and is on at 20:30 instead of 19:00. The repeat time will stay 12:00 on Saturdays.
