I'm just back from SABC3's always-informative, always helpful quarterly press screening for journalists covering television where the channel unveiled its new slate of upcoming shows and programming for the next couple of months, talked to journalists, answered questions in a Q&A session and gave context to what the channel is busy with and planning.
Of course there's usually food but this time it was really good. SABC3's June press screening took place at the upmarket Equinox building in Sea Point in Cape Town on the penthouse 6th floor on the set of where the weekday live morning show Expresso is broadcast from. The food was dazzling and this is how it looked.
Expresso is produced by Tswelopele Productions, also responsible for SABC2's Pasella and SABC3's Top Billing and the food (and presentation!) was absolutely terrific and Top Billing level. Journalists remarked how this almost ''art work'' was almost too good to disturb and eat. ''It's like high noon tea at the Mount Nelson hotel,''said one.
It's also the 40th birthday of my friend and longtime former colleague Emile Butler today (I call him Emsily Rose). SABC3 and the Expresso presenters surprised the Emsily Rose with an absolutely fantastic chocolate birthday cake and we all sang for him and we all really truly wish him a happy birthday. It was a great moment. He's jetting off soon to attend the Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas that sadly no channel wants to show here (although someone should), and he will hopefully get to do a set visit with The Bold and the Beautiful as well.