I've heard from people who all have a lot to say - nothing nice - about the event and the "swag" bags handed out at that cringe worthy launch event of the shambolic ANN7 (DStv 405) TV news channel, South Africa's third highly embarrassing local news channel which got off to a total train wreck start.
I'm told guests are enjoying their T-shirt, their notebook and their pen.
It was of course handed out at that event where ANN7 showed its empty chairs and tables of its own launch function held at the Sandton Convention centre which had the sign outside only reading: "Infinity Media dinner".
Yep - the one which Infinity Media and ANN7 couldn't bother to invite longtime South African TV critics, writers and journalists covering television, and editors of TV publications to or just at the very basic minimum even tell that its happening.
ANN7's pathetic "threatre of the absurd" launch event function as a news channel on MultiChoice's DStv platform broadcast live was massively marred by sound problems, awkward breaks and pauses, no apparent structure in terms of guests being interviewed, dead air, and background chatter audible.
Geri Rantseli-Elsdon valiantly tried her best but the avalanche of bad and unorganised was too much for even her. to try and contain.
The launch event speeches were filled with cringe worthy bombastic boastful statements from people like Jimmy Manyi who will attempt a new talk show, STRAIGHTtalk on ANN7 on Saturdays, talking about how South Africa's will from now on just be rushing home or staying home to watch ANN7. (yes, probably to see the trash television and play drinking games when on-screen errors occur!)
