11/10/2008 17:05 - (SA)
Channel Chopping
Farrah Francis
I judge a great interview on whether or not I come away wanting to add interviewees as friends on Facebook. David Schlachter and Carmen Pretorius who won the High School Musical reality show and who will play the lead roles of Troy and Gabriella made me feel that way. I met them at the M-Net studios in Randburg, and found them to be so enthusiastic, smart and cute. What I loved most about them is the fact that fame has not gone to their pretty little heads yet. They were completely frank, to the point of admitting that Lorcia Cooper (the show’s choreographer) pushed them the hardest during rehearsals. “But in a good way. Lorcia always came from love and would not let you go below your potential,” they were quick to add.
David and Carmen also didn’t shy away from the ‘American accent thing’ and agreed that it was necessary and formed part of the script. David says: “It would be like saying a typically American thing with a South African accent. It just wouldn’t sound right.” In addition to this, Carmen added: “It also shows you can act, you are taking on the role of an American, so your accent should change as well.”
What really impressed me about the two is that they did not try and hide behind the fa?e of “we are all family” when it came to other contestants.
“As much as I like making friends,” said Carmen, “I think that at the beginning your guard is up because you don’t know where the energy of your competitors is coming from, you don’t know if is from a negative space. But as you get more into the competition you get to know the people more and then you do become friends.”
David adds: “The thing is that when you see people go [contestants who are voted out], you are not always sad because you know that doors are going to open for that person and that makes you happy.”
After interviewing them, my faith in the South African public voters has been restored. (Even if the voting might have been a bit rigged thanks to the little stunt by Pieter Torien.) Well done, David and Carmen and well done to South Africa for getting it right this time!
In the meantime I’d like to wish e.tv a happy 10th birthday. I wish them all the best and I am also hoping that this anniversary will mark the end of ongoing repeats of movies such as Bad Boys and Men in Black. As much as I love Will Smith, I don’t think I can stomach those movies anymore. Seriously.
Now, if it’s originality you are looking for don’t forget to tune into the MTV Base and Shell Making the Video
Challenge on October 15 at 19:30. Some of Africa’s best directors and musicians work alongside America’s best music directors to take on the challenge of making a great music video and, of course, the viewers get to vote for the best video.
But if you’d rather stick with something familiar, then tune into Generations, this week Dumisane is pained by what he has to do at the police station. Paul, meanwhile, appeals to the only person he believes can help him and Samuel gets a surprise visitor. Senzo’s friendliness comes back to haunt him. Kenneth tries to explain away his ominous behaviour and Khethiwe’s condition takes a turn for the worst. Getting nowhere with the tough love approach, Paul tries a different tack, while Palesa is very cagey about what really happened back home. Khaphela is desperate to save the life of the woman he loves. Samuel gets a little too defensive about a gift. Senzo is grateful when Ntombi agrees to help him.
Moving over onto the Bold and the Beautiful Stephanie considers asking Ridge to move back in. (Why? He’s a grown ass man, why does he need to move back in with mum?) Brooke goes to see her children, but Stephanie refuses to let her in. Shame. In the meantime, Ashley tells Rick she slept with Ridge (Oh-oh) and Thorne drinks alone at the bar, taking a pill and looking at pictures of Darla. (Oh is that how one gets into AA?) Donna visits a drunken Thorne at the bar and Stephanie warns Brooke to keep Donna away from the Forresters. Thorne wakes up and is surprised to find Donna in his bed. (Don’t you just hate it when that happens?) Rick wants to visit Phoebe, but she is still too upset about his affair with Ashley. Phoebe tells Rick their relationship is over. Ashley tells Stephanie that she broke up with Ridge because of Rick.
Over on Isidingo Agnes and Zeb want Vusi to tell them the whole truth. Aye Aye! While Barker faces a challenge: to admit guilt on lesser charges and get away with three years in jail and a fine. Jess gets the job at Potgieter’s Pizzas (talk about ambition) and Vusi attempts to blame everyone else while being hit from all sides. S’Thembiso comes up with a strategy to protect Dineo and Rajesh draws Guy into a sinister web of intrigue and conspiracy and Harriet starts to suspect that her ex-lover, Guy, may be the whistleblower. Zeb calls a meeting that has Vusi baring his soul while Stella plants a dangerous seed of doubt in the fertile soil of Jess’ insecurity. (Geez, talk about being over dramatic.)
T his week on Days of our Lives, Lucas tells his mother he wants a life with Carrie, and Sami builds up her courage and asks Carrie if she can go after Austin. (Say what?) Patrick checks security videos from a shop near the scene of the accident and discovers the truth about Chelsea. Patrick tells Hope the truth about the accident, but not that Bo was part of the cover-up. Lucas wants Carrie to come work with him. (I can already see where this is going).
In Muvhango, however, Ndalamo remains at Meme’s side and Thandaza and tries to be supportive. Ag shame. Tshepo and Miriam discover that Meiki lied and Vho-Makhadzi makes her decision known to the elders: neither Chief Azwindini nor Mulalo is fit to rule the land of Thate and Mashudu appears to Vho-Makhadzi in a dream. Humbulani tries to mend fences with her mum. Meme shatters the harmony in Thandaza and Ndalamo’s marriage. It’s always some weirdo causing problems, né?
T his week’s dose of Skandaal sees Maletsatsi determined to keep her past a secret, but it’s catching up with her. Khanyi rejects Maletsatsi’s attempt to get her to change her life. Lentswe’s put on the spot when he’s asked how he feels about homosexuality. After receiving a warning letter for disregarding Daniel and Morongwe’s instructions, Nadia asks for time off work. Bishop finds out Khanyi has been talking to the media about him. Nadia announces she’s taking two months off work and Shakira will be acting editor. (Insert dramatic music here, please).
Over on Rhythm City, Mpumi wants to attend the graduation of Fats’ cousin and Lucilla gets the jitters about her guest slot on Star Struck
! Siya is pushing Tshidi to have sex with him when Charlotte walks in, while Kop tells Mamokete they have to scale down their ambitions for the wedding. In the meantime, Siya confronts Tshidi about kissing Bobo and Diphuka finds an agency willing to use Bongani and his music. Nice. It’s the night of Lucilla’s music career launch on Star Struck! and she has stage fright. Oh dear and after her performance on Star Struck! Tshidi decides she would like to lose her virginity to Siya. (Hmm, I wonder how she comes to that decision?) David reprimands Bernard for making a poor job of launching Lucilla.
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