Entering its 7th season, M-Net's Idols (Sundays, 17:30) unequivocally proves it's (still) a powerful pop culture touchstone of can't-ignore, can't-not-look television.
The show with an instantly-endearing new judge Unathi Msengana, a new wave of fame-seeking lemmings, brisk pacing, and fascinating content ranging from a tongue-in-cheek ''fabulosity counter'' to ready-made TV tears, simply brims with energy.
The reality show from production company Nevermachine - and shown this year for the first time at the same time on Mzansi Magic (DStv 107) as its almost decade long home on M-Net - is comprised of a mesmerising mix of schmaltz, humour, terrific akwardness, schadenfreude and is delectably self-referential in the first episode.
Unathi Msengana has almost single-handedly put the sparkle back in the reality show that felt at times too serious during its 6th season last year. There's also Idols presenter ProVerb who, now flying solo right off the bat this year after co-host Liezel van der Westhuizen's abrupt departure mid-season last year under bad circumstances, seems lighter, more relaxed and fully present in the moment. He's completely willing to go with the flow and ham it up with the contestants for the cameras - a marked change from his more stilted entrance to the show last year.
To deftly spin a pleasurable and highly watchable show together in this genre takes more than a mere golden ticket but executive producer and director Gavin Wratten manages to fill an hour and a half with hilarious content that includes glimpses of the amazing (both good and bad) kind. Like a circus master fully in control of what happens inside his ring, he lures the ringside audience with grandiose spectacle and then demands rapt attention by trundling out the next act while the current one has barely left the spotlight.
Idols plays cleverly with viewer expectation and constantly and unfailingly makes good on the unwritten promise of a pay-off through brisk pacing, intelligent editing and the stacking of micro narratives that allow the viewer easy entry into the show - irrespective of where in the episode they start watching.
The 7th season of Idols on M-Net is a serendipitous circus - one filled with freaks, funny moments, fantastic talent, and yes ... Lots and lots of ''fabulosity''.
Idols VII, M-Net, Sundays, 17:30
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