TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read - 2 November 2020.

Here's the latest news about TV that I read and that you should read too:

■ As South Africa's bloated and financially struggling public broadcaster gets ready to retrench hundreds of staffers the SABC is looking for an external service provider to do job evaluations for the SABC for 6 months.

■ Fox in America cancels its new drama series Filthy Rich and NeXt after single seasons (both of which are actually good).

■ James Bond actor Sean Connery dead at 90.

■ The correspondents of The Daily Show seen on Comedy Central (DStv 122) on the difficulties and how they've been adjusting to filming from their living rooms.

■ England in new Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic lockdown: TV and film industry can continue but cinemas will have to close.

■ CNN (DStv 401) reporter Amara Walker in 3 anti-Asian racist incidents in 1 hour inside an American airport.

■ Katlego Maboe: 6 things to know as the TV presenter now faces a court battle.

■ "The worst Top Gear I've ever seen!"

Many viewers feel that the "new" Top Gear seen on BBC Brit (DStv 120) doesn't work and is awkward.

■ eNCA (DStv 403) and e.tv fined over Gareth Cliff's Covid-19 conspiracy theorist show.

- Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) says the Gareth Cliff interview damaged eNCA and raised serious questions about the editorial failures at the eMedia Investments channel:

"While the host and producer should shoulder some of the blame, serious questions need to be raised about the editorial failure that gave the go-ahead to run the interview."

■ Nigeria's corrupt National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) that is handing out fines to TV channels like AIT, Channels TV and Arise TV for covering #EndSARS public protests should stop trying to "padlock the air".

■ The creator of This is Us, seen on M-Net (DStv 101) explains how #BlackLivesMatter and the Covid-19 pandemic will feature in the new 5th season.

■ Why Netflix will keep raising its prices for subscribers.

■ Shock-couple Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha apparently signed a R3 million contract to do a 13-episode reality series with MultiChoice's Showmax streaming service.

■ China's state-run China Central TV (CCTV) remains shrouded in secrecy.

- Mexican TV news anchor shot dead in his car.

■ How to look rich on TV: The Undoing that will be shown on M-Net (DStv 101) and what money looks like on the TV screen.

Creating a fictional world for the 1 percent isn't as easy as it seems.

■ SABC1's Generations creator and producer Mfundi Vundla on his art collection and what's hanging in his bathroom.

■ SABC: We can't make money from Google's YouTube.

Moja Love forced to yank hyped Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha tabloid shock doc after Gqom couple goes to court.

by Thinus Ferreira

SiyayaTV's Moja Love (DStv 157) was forced to yank its hyped tabloid documentary series about Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha just two hours before it was supposed to start screening on Thursday night after Gqom's most notorious couple went to court to stop its broadcast.

The 3-episode tell-all tabloid TV special entitled Impilo: Mampintsha West Ink, detailing the ongoing explosive claims of abuse suffered by Babes Wodumo (real name: Bongekile Simelane) in her turbulent relationship with Mandla "Mampintsha" Maphumulo, was axed just hours before it was scheduled to be shown after the couple took legal action against the channel.

Viewers were up in arms about the lurid promo even before the docu-series started and slammed Moja Love for allegedly exploiting domestic violence and abuse and the couple's relationship troubles.

In Moja Love's disturbing promo for the doc series Babes, wearing a hat and visibly drunk, slaps and pushes Mampintsha while accusing him of cheating on her and taking pictures with mistresses. he denies it and hurls insults at Babes.

Presenter Jub Jub who is the host of Moja Love's controversial Uyajola99 had done a sit-down interview with he couple.

In 2019 Mampintsha was caught physically abusing Babes in a live Instagram video which instantly went viral and led to a police case being opened against the former Big Nuz member.

In addition the 25-year old was also charged with assault by a friend who leaked footage of her discussing the case with friends before it was heard in court.

"Jub Jub as a close friend to Mampintsha and Babes wanted to offer the couple an opportunity to explain the abuse incident," says Bokani Moyo, the new Moja Love channel head.

However Babes and Mampintsha decided to go to court on Thursday to stop the shock doc and the interview they did from airing.

"Because the issue is now in the hands of the court and the matter will be heard on 2 April 2020, Moja Love had decided not to broadcast the programme," she said.

"Moja Love doesn't condone any form of violence and take all cases of assault very seriously. The channel is committed to broadcast fair and honest programmes reflecting the lived experiences of all South Africans."

Bokani Moyo says "We believe that that it is important that we confront all topical issues, especially if those that are involved can deliver a first-person account of their experiences and present insight of what the motivating factors are behind their actions."

Forget SONA2018, the TV drama tonight will be Uzalo's celebrity funeral spectacle with Babes Wodumo and Hlengiwe Mhlaba.

Forget the State of the Nation 2018 broadcast on South African television on Friday evening - the TV drama will be in Uzalo tonight where the celebrity funeral spectacle to mourn MaNzuza and Smangele's after their double murder will be packed with stars, all snagging top seats from Babes Wodumo and gospel singer Hlengiwe Mhlaba, to Durban's current mayor all making appearances.

The weekday prime time telenovela on SABC1 will be a special hour long funeral episode tonight packed with histrionics and special guests.

The hour-long episode was filmed a month ago on 16 January as a razzmatazz TV funeral for the killed off characters of MaNzuza and Smangele who were both murdered after Leleti Khumalo quit the show for more money in e.tv's upcoming Imbewu also filmed in Durban and Sihle Ndaba got fired.

Viewers tonight are in for drama and emotional moments in scenes filmed on the Newlands sound stage in Durban where the Stained Glass TV production roped in guest stars like the current Durban mayor, Zandile Gumede who will make an appearance as a community representative.

The veteran gospel singer Hlengiwe Mhlaba will lead the congregants in some gospel melodies.

According to the producers the "the funeral service is a send-off that no-one expected will happen. People have to hold on to their faith, some on their weapons, to make sure that they stay alive and breathing".

Viewers will recognise familiar faces snapping up top seats at the TV celebrity funeral including Babes Wodumo - no visa required - and Mampintja, Tzozo, The Legacy, Selbeyonce, Zodwa Wabantu, Destruction Boyz, Dumi Mkostad and others.

Kid Sithole appears as Pastor Goba and Dudu Khoza is the master of ceremonies.

Uzalo characters from Mkhonto and Advocate Zulu to Mabuza, Sibahle, Mumsy, as well as Gundi and Jabulile go to church to mourn, plot and scheme in front of the caskets.

Tonight's special episode of Uzalo at 20:30 on SABC1 will also explore the theme of violence against women.

Babes Wodumo lies, fails to fly to the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards; will be a no-show despite earlier promise; wanted Viacom Africa to pay for her flights and hotel.

 

The so-called Qqom Queen, Babes Wodumo has lied again, with the singer whose real name is Bongekile Simelane, who won't be at tomorrow's MTV Europe Music Awards 2017 despite her public promise last month that she would.

TVwithThinus can confirm that Babes Wodumo will be a MTV Europe Music Awards 2017 no-show as well where the 23-year old Durbanite with serious credibility issues has been nominated in the Best Africa act category at this year's awards show.

It comes after Babes Wodumo in mid-October promised that "I will definitely be attending the MTV awards. I have sorted out the visa. I am going".

It is the latest lie in a string of "fake news" from the upcoming singer that has marred her career trajectory and seriously damaged her industry reputation with a series of bizarre mistakes and destructive management and publicity decisions.

Last month Babes Wodumo revealed that she will have a reality show on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) starting in November, something that M-Net's Mzansi Magic channel immediately categorically denied.

Babes Wodumo was supposed to apply for an American visa in person to attend the BET Awards in America in June, but did interviews and attended parties like the sendoff party from the eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede using taxpayers’ money. Babes ended up unable to go.

Recently Babes Wodumo implored the South African public to help her search for her missing USB that according to her carried the link to a new song of hers.

The 24^th edition of the MTV Europe Music Awards 2017 will take place in London on Sunday and will be broadcast on MTV (DStv 130). 

While at least one publicist from Viacom Africa and other African representatives jetted off this week from the continent sipping champagne in British Airways seats as they made their way to the UK capital and Heathrow International Airport, it was without Babes – despite her earlier promise that she will be there on Sunday too.

Besides Babes, artists like Nyashinski (Kenya), Nasty C (South Africa), Wizkid (Nigeria), Davido (Nigeria) and C4 Pedro (Angola) have been nominated for the 2017 MTV EMAs in the Best Africa category.

Babes Wodumo wanted Viacom Africa to foot the bill and to pay for her flights to London and her hotel stay – an expense that Viacom Africa says is the responsibility of individual artists.

In response to a media enquiry, Alex Okosi, executive vice president and managing director of Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) says Viacom Africa received written confirmation from Babes Wodumo's team that they "elected to not attend the MTV EMAs".

Viacom Africa was asked if it helped Babes Wodumo after she missed the BET Awards in June because of her visa issues.

"Our communication to all artists has always been equal and clear that VIMN Africa does not fly nominees to the MTV EMAs. We have confirmed this with all the nominees. As it relates to talent, we only fly performers to the MTV EMAs awards show," says Alex Okosi.

VIMN Africa says it supports local talent at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards and that tentpole events like these are indicative of VIMN Africa's commitment to elevating and unlocking Africa's artistic talent.

Viacom Africa says The Come Up host Luthando “Lootlove” Shosha will document the EMA journey for MTV Base along with uMswenko host Nomalanga Shozi.

Presenter Bontle Modiselle has also joined the MTV EMA "social squad" that includes 7 global social media influencers.

She will be streaming content from the weekend, alongside Brazil’s MTV Ridículos star Hugo Ross, Geordie Shore's Sophie Kaseai, Just Tattoo Of Us presenter Charlotte Crosby and two influencers from Germany, the vlogger Marcel better known as KsFreak and the YouTube sensation Manuel "Krappi" Krappinger.

Babes Wodumo's management couldn't be reached for comment on Friday.

Mzansi Magic: Sorry Babes, no reality TV show; pours cold water on Qqom Queen's claims of a reality series.

Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) is pouring cold water over the Qqom Queen’s claim of having a reality show on the channel, telling TVwithThinus it's not doing a reality TV series with Babes Wodumo.

The 23-year old Durbanite who keeps bumbling from the one awkward public embarrassment to the next, told the Sunday Tribune yesterday that she has a reality show on M-Net’s Mzansi Magic channel with cameras that will start rolling next week to catch her all her glam and qqom.

Reality TV show projects from high-profile South African female stars like Bonang Matheba and Minnie Dlamini caught a lot of buzz and headlines the past few months and Babes apparently now wants in on it too.

"Viewers will see that I am not fake," Babes Womdumo told the Sunday Tribune who earlier this year partied while she was supposed to apply for an American visa under her real name of Bongekile Simelane.

Babes Wodumo was supposed to apply for an American visa in person to attend the BET Awards in America in June, but did interviews and attended parties like the sendoff party from the eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede using taxpayers’ money. Babes ended up unable to go.

Recently Babes Wodumo implored the South African public to help her search for her missing USB that according to her carried the link to a new song.

The pay-TV broadcaster dispelled Babes Wodumo's claims of a reality show on Mzansi Magic that’s supposed to start broadcasting in November on the channel that’s carried on MultiChoice’s DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

"We do not have a programme that has been commissioned regarding Babes Wodumo," Nondumiso Mabece, M-Net’s head of publicity for local entertainment channels, told TVwithThinus.

“We have seen a number of reality show proposals centered around various personalities including Babes Wodumo but we do not have a commissioned programme.”

Babes has now been nominated for the MTV European Awards 2017 in the Best Africa act category.

The 24^th edition of this awards show will take place in London on 12 November and will be broadcast on MTV (DStv 130). For Babes Wodumo this means travelling to the United Kingdom, a country for which South Africans need a separate visa.

Babes Wodumo said "I will definitely be attending the MTV awards. I have sorted out the visa. I am going".

Babes Wodumo fails to make it to the BET Awards 2017 after not applying for a visa in time, now blames Viacom Africa 'for inability of BET to arrange visa'.

Singer Babes Wodumo (real name Bongekile Simelane) who posed around airports and did airport interviews failed to make it to the BET Awards 2017 in Los Angeles following the incompetent failure to apply for a United States visa in time and now the singer is blaming the BET channel.

Babes Wodumo was nominated in the best international act from Africa category and was supposed to fly to Los Angeles for Sunday's awards show but ended up being a no-show due to hilariously only strolling into the American embassy on Tuesday last week.

Hilariously Babes Wodumo thought she would still be flying to the United States and told magazines and newspapers she "won't miss the BET Awards 2017".

Babes Wodumo and her incompetent management had her glitz up her remaining time before Sunday's BET Awards 2017 doing publicity schmaltz like attending a celebratory eThekwini municipality “send-off breakfast” paid for by South African tax payers, instead of queueing for an application and interview for an American visa in her passport.

After failing to get an American visa, Babes Wodumo is now blaming the BET Africa (DStv 129) channel from Viacom International Media Networks Africa.

In a hastily arranged Friday evening press conference in Durban to admit defeat, Babes Wodumo and her incompetent management team told the media that BET was supposed to do all the travel arrangements and the visa arrangements.

BET was allegedly too busy with "a number of priorities" to give proper attention to Babes.

"As part of on-going discussions between WestInk and BET, it was understood that all arrangements pertaining Babes and an additional person would be made by BET team," said team Babes Wodumo at the press conference.

"This included transport, accommodation and visa application. Due to the fact that BET was busy with a number of priorities, a communication was sent to WestInk Administration on the inability of BET to arrange Babes’ visa."

Team Babes said by the time they were told BET isn't helping anymore and Babes must do her visa herself, there wasn't enough time left.

VIMN last week told TVwithThinus in response to a media enquiry that "as Viacom International Media Networks Africa, we have assisted the 2017 BET Awards nominees in securing their travel requirements in a speedy manner" and tried to help.

Babes Wodumo failed to apply for an American travel visa on time and might end up missing the BET Awards 2017.

She posed for airport pics and did airport interviews but singer Babes Wodumo might not actually be able to use an airport and end up missing the BET Awards 2017 on Sunday that she is supposed to attend in Los Angeles.

Babes Wodumo doesn’t have an American visa and failed to apply for one in time.

While Babes Wodumo (real name Bongekile Simelane) posed for the cameras last week and had time to attend a celebratory eThekwini municipality “send-off breakfast”, she hasn’t yet applied for her American travel visa for her first visit to the United States and only went to the American Embassy in Durban on Tuesday.

That is not enough time for the still to happen person-to-person interview, visa documents to be processed and for the visa to be inserted into a passport for Babes to still fly to Los Angeles for Sunday’s BET Awards 2017 at the Microsoft Theatre that will be broadcast on BET Africa (DStv 129).

The Durban rapper Nasty C also attending the BET Awards 2017 is already in America. The two South African artists are nominated in the Best international African artist category.

Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) that operates the BET channel, says they are aware that Babes is still sitting without an American visa and can’t currently enter the United States.

VIMN tells TVwithThinus in response to a media enquiry that "as Viacom International Media Networks Africa, we have assisted the 2017 BET Awards nominees in securing their travel requirements in a speedy manner".

"However it has been brought to our attention by the management of the nominee in question that she has not secured a visa. We are in contact with the nominee’s management and are working together to find a solution."

Will Babes get her behind in a BET Awards seat in time?