Highly embarrassing. For both SABC1 and e.tv. Both broadcasters should feel embarrassed today. Of course I don't think they won't.
Firstly it completely defies belief that SABC1 could sell a show to the press and inform journalists about a show which it didn't even have - the So What? reality show with Kenny Kunene, ZAR Empire ruler and the self-anointed ''sushi king''. SABC1 told the press last week that So What? would start this Thursday on the channel. Of course Kenny Kunene took his show to e.tv and SABC1 won't have the show.
SABC1 isn't explaining what happened (if the channel even knows themselves), only telling TV with Thinus that ''this programme will not be flighted on SABC1''. Not a single word on what show is replacing the timeslot set aside for it from this Thursday on SABC1.
Secondly there's the continuing embarrassing actions of e.tv that held a sorry-looking launch party for its new reality shows at Soweto's Chaf Pozi bar (not telling Cape Town press or TV critics of course, because that would be like, the end of the world if anybody actually did their work or understood why it's important).
Also, at the event, one e.tv personality Loyiso Gola lashed out at Kenny Kunene who's now also an e.tv personality. Incredible low-class behaviour and in front of the press. And again not a word from e.tv on this public cringe-worthy spectacle. You have to wonder where e.tv's publicity machine is with all this? Does public relations even matter anymore? Are e.tv personalities at all briefed to at least appear to support each other in public and at launch events?
And why did Kenny Kunene attend the e.tv launch event if e.tv can't even say when So What? will be starting on the channel. I called e.tv today and the broadcaster couldn't tell me when So What? will be starting. Why then was Kenny Kunene even then at the e.tv event if the show isn't starting now?
In my opinion all of this comes across as supremely unprofessional and really just ... bad. Are South African broadcasters on the Cool-Aid? (Or high on the sushi?)
UPDATE Monday 16:33 - SABC1 is now responding. ''So What? was presented to the channel as a finished product which meant the producers/owner had more freedom to approach various broadcasters,'' says Vukile Madlala, SABC1 publicity manager. ''We were obviously confident as the channel that our negotiations with the producers would be successfully concluded.''
''SABC1 is excited at the announcements of new schedule changes in October and the release of fresh titles for our viewers to look forward to up to the end of December.''
UPDATE Monday 19:00 - I'm told that Shreds & Dreams will be replacing the timeslot on Thursday where So What? ''would'' have been.
