adminJonathan Mbiriyamveka TV
Greetings, what a great weekend it was with lots of entertainment lined up. For those who didn’t know, there is a new place that is rocking Harare like never before. The joint is called Private Lounge where big things are happening. Though Private Lounge is located in downtown Harare, that doesn’t take away all the glitter. In fact, you will be surprised that the joint is drawing all the up-market clientele who throng the lounge in their numbers.
Basically the main draw card is the service and nothing else.
Of course, for those who enjoy “eye-candy” waitresses they are well catered for. The point is, sometimes simple things make the world go round. This is also in reference to ZBCTV where I have noted with keen interest that content is really a serious problem.
How do you make entertaining programmes? How do you capture the attention of viewers without spending big?
The answer is simple, nowadays reality shows have taken over television. It is not so much about Hollywood movies or even the so-called Nollywood. So, at the weekend I watched Mzansi Magic on DStv where they screened a popular show called ‘Clash of the Choirs’.
Among the judges was South African gospel queen Rebecca Malope aka Sis Ribs and also one of the choir masters or rather teams we had the likes of Khaya and Zwai Bala, the former group member of the famed TKZee.
The beauty of the show is that while there are judges, ultimately it is the viewers who have the last say. Viewers have to vote for their best group from the three teams that will be competing. It is more or less like the American or South African Idols. To cap it all, there is a prize money for the winning group so apart from being voted the best group the winners also take home a whopping R750 000.
Now I gather there is new programme coming on ZBCTV called “Zimbabwe Ine Staera”. The show has been advertised for the past months but we are still to see how it works. The programme is supposed to be reality show where celebrities will be travelling by bus. Viewers are then supposed to vote their favourite celebrity and those who are evicted from the show will be asked to get off the bus. Musicians ExQ, BaShupi and Stunner have been appearing in adverts campaigning for the reality series ‘Zimbabwe Ine Staera’.
My problem is, if this is a reality show are viewers going to watch it live on ZBCTV? Yes, you can screen belated episodes but how are people going to vote? Reality shows are not all about prizes and money in fact, MTV Base channel have a tendency to screen shows by celebrities.
Recently, there is a show that features rapper TI called ‘The Family Hustle’. I think Zimbabwean producers should consider shooting reality series which I think don’t have to be about music only but something different. There is a whole lot of stuff which can be made into reality shows for as long as people think outside the box.
Online Reporter