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Johannesburg - Long-running or fresh takes, City Press reviews some SABC offerings.
Red Cake
Channel: SABC2 (DStv 192)
Day and time: Friday, 19:00
Rating: 2/5
This variety game show sees celebrities pay a visit to Tumi Morake and Alan Committie at their Red Cake studio. The show kicks off with Zwai Bala and the Red Cake band playing the hosts.
The band is probably the best thing about the show.
The three personalities have a playful rapport and are reasonably funny. Filmed in front of a live studio audience, the production is a combination of a game show and an interview-based programme. Kelly Khumalo, Joey Rasdien and Zolani Mahola from Freshlyground have appeared on the show. Other than a red cake parade segment, the red cake angle doesn’t make sense. It should be better.
Rustic Chakula
Channel: SABC3 (DStv 193)
Day and time: Tuesday, 20:30
Rating: 2/5
Sizo Henna is a chef to some of the best local talent. In Rustic Chakula, he cooks classic food for guests like Shashi Naidoo and Refilwe Modiselle, who come to his studio apartment kitchen. The show follows the usual format of a cooking programme, which can be forgiven seeing as there are only so many ways to do it.
Henna goes around Joburg in search of ingredients, similar to some of Jamie Oliver’s work. It has the same stylised cinematography we’ve seen on the likes of The Man Cave or The Hostess.
Henna is a mellow guy and Chakula is shot well, but it would be easier to keep up if he slowed down his delivery of recipe and cooking tips. A bit more in the way of banter or interviews with his guests would also be a nice touch.
Mzansi Insider
Channel: SABC1 (DStv 191)
Day and time: Saturday and Sunday, 09:00
Rating: 3/5
This is SABC1’s Expresso or Morning Live, but it’s a bit more vibrant than both. Hosted by Rorisang Thandekiso of Muzart fame and The Presenter Search winner, Kgaugelo Mokholwane, the show has been known to have a few gripping interviews. The two do it all – music guests and performances, and a little current affairs. I even saw one of the women involved in that Rhodes University protest, which was intense. Mzansi Insider is also where I first experienced the rapper Rouge. It has been around since 2010 and is now in its third season. Bar the studio aesthetic, this could be one of the best shows in this class on air at the SABC.
