Here's the latest news about TV that I read, and that you should too:
■ The champagne is flowing (again) at the SABC.
The cash-strapped and loss-making SABC is again popping - and paying for - expensive Veuve Clicquot and Night Nectar Krone.
- The SABC1 event where it happened was filled with hiccups; media were milling about not knowing what to do for hours. Despite the SABC's champagne culture, no reports from media of what SABC executives actually said. TVwithThinus has a report.
■ Parliament slams acting SABC CEO James Aguma and SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
Parliament says there seems to be no good faith from James Aguma and Kaizer Kganyago - "they treat this committee with contempt". Parliament asked "Why should James Aguma and Kaizer Kganyago make such terrible decisions on behalf of the SABC?"
■ Science fiction series The Expanse isn't just great TV - it's transforming TV.
Like Game of Thrones on M-Net Edge and A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix based on books and having the author involved and part of the writing team, The Expanse is now part of growing the trend of making television based on books better by consulting the original writer.
■ First look at the second season of the BBC's Top Gear has viewers divided.
After yet another shake-up of the presenters of the British magazine car show, viewers are wondering if Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid will work and gel this time.
■ "Please tell me that is not your penis".
New Zealand TV soap Shortland Street ended with this cliffhanger at the end of Friday's episode.
■ Zambia's government keeps saying ZNBC hasn't been bought by the Chinese.
While China's StarTimes took 60% shareholding in the digital terrestrial television (DTT) venture of Zambia's state-run broadcaster. Zambian government spin tsar foams at the mouth and blames the media for lies about the private take-over deal of the country's national broadcaster.
■ Indian films can again be shown in Pakistan on private pay-TV channels.
After a Pakistan court overturns a ban.
■ Canadian film and TV producers are worried ...
that government regulations about local Canadian content and productions could be eased, leading to an influx of more American talent into Canada's series and films.
■ Venezuela blocks out and censors a Hugo Chavez TV series.
Biographical show blacked out across the country because Venezuela can't "risk losing years of indoctrination of the people by allowing them to watch the show".
■ Deborah Turness is out as president of NBC News
Replaced by Noah Oppenheim. Deborah Turness will be placed in charge of creating the new NBC News International news channel out of euronews as a new rival for CNN International (DStv 401). euronews is going to be renamed euronews NBC.
euronews NBC has a long way to go before it can be and compete with CNN International and BBC World News.
■ Efe Obioma quits after 3 years as GOtv Nigeria's PR manager.
Where will the MultiChoice marketing executive resurface?
■ Lovely long read: The Apprentice at the Donald Trump White House - "whose up, whose down?"
South African viewers can't see Saturday Night Live (SNL) that used to be on Comedy Central (DStv 122) but that neither Comedy Central in Africa or CNBC Africa (DStv 410) are interested in showing.
With it's best (meaning funniest) season in years - and SNL ratings also the highest in years thanks to Alec Baldwin and Melissa McCarthy - Donald Trump is very upset with the portrayal of Stephen K. Bannon as the Grim Reaper.
Donald Trump's White House staffers are constantly secretly buzzing about "who is up and who is down" and the unflattering portrayals on Saturday Night Live.
■ John Oliver (jokingly) blames Oprah for Donald Trump.
Because he thought he was powerful, he became powerful, just like when Oprah told people lectured people on the book The Secret.
■ See the BBC's Planet Earth II in glorious 4K ...
... if you're in America. In South Africa the best you can see the natural history series on BBC Earth (DStv 184) is maximum 1080i.
■ Britshow looking for naked TV contestants.
In the Naked Attraction dating game show, contestants appear naked full frontal and people are picked by potential lovers based on their naked bodies.
■ Netflix is making its own Game of Thrones.
The new animated series is based on the Castlevania game show.
■ Facebook is coming to TV.
Will launch a stand-alone app soon for Apple TV, Samsung's Smart TV and Amazon Fire TV.
■ Wendy Williams on BET (DStv 129) says she doesn't care if celebrities like her.
Keeps bringing heat to daytime TV with her no-prisoners approach to celebrity culture commentary.
