The 10th season of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola starting on eNCA on Wednesday 4 June at 21:30.

The 10th season of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola will start on eNCA (DStv 403) tomorrow, Wednesday, 4 June at 21:30.

e.tv and eNCA's publicity department might (note the emphasis on the word "might" to denote even the slightest metaphysical possibility) send out a press release on Wednesday, on the actual day the new 10th season of the satirical faux news show is starting.

How TV channels in South Africa expect the public - their potential viewers - to know about programming, what they plan to broadcast and new shows starting if they don't communicate it to the press, remains alchemy that's too difficult for me to understand.

eNCA makes as if Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola doesn't exist; e.tv and eNCA doing ZERO PUBLICITY for return of the satirical show.

A new season of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola has started - but eNCA (DStv 403) and e.tv's marketing and publicity department clearly has no intention of doing any press or pre-publicity to tell viewers that the Emmy nominated show is back.

Because e.tv publicity and eNCA did ... Nothing at all.

Not a single word about Late Nite News' return in 2014 went out to press, similar to previous years when TV critics like me have/had to beg and plead for information.

It begs the question: Do eNCA and e.tv hate Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola?

e.tv's publicity department is quick to waste time and send out press statements about fictitious shows like Housewives of Nkandla that its not doing.

Yet it completely fails to properly and correctly inform and tells TV critics and the press what shows they are doing and what new programming on a weekly basis there is.

With no press release, no programming note - no nothing - its left up to viewers themselves to hopefully find eNCA's satirical weekly news show with Loyiso Gola, clearly produced with so much effort and dedication by Diprente productions.

While e.tv employs and pays actual real publicity people a monthly salary to tell South Africa's TV critics and press about shows on e.tv and eNCA, shows like Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola are simply not given the respect nor publicity which it actually deserves.

Over the course of several previous seasons of Late Nite News, I've always had to first myself, know that the show is returning.

Then I have to make written media enquiries to e.tv's publicity department which I do a week or so before a season starts.

Then I have to out of my own ask again and follow up due to a lack of a response. Then finally I would get a response. It's been that way for at least the last three seasons of LNN.

And it's tiring because LNN isn't the only show in the TV universe I as one person tries my best to keep track off.

With 2014 having just started, I knew that Late Nite News is coming back but I got tired from asking e.tv about the eNCA show yet again.

I thought I'd wait and see if e.tv and eNCA can manage to come up with even one sentence to say that LNN is back for 2014 out of their own volition and without any prompting.

Lo and behold, again sweet all nothing. How terrible e.tv and eNCA, when a TV critic cares more about your own show than what you apparently do.

Where is the press release about Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola for 2014? Where is the publicity photo? Where is the few sentences about where David Kibuuka is in the next episode or who Chester Missing is talking to?

That little bit of info which fills a highlight block in a newspaper on the TV listings page, and gets the show noticed and inserted into the TV guide pages of a magazine?

Rightly or wrongly, this is what it tells me: It tells me that eNCA can't care less whether people actually tune in for and watch Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola. That its just there.

If programming updates are sent out for other programming, why never for LNN regularly, and why never without having to be first asked before a season starts?

And lets not even get started about the lack of publicity about great shows like The Big Debate - taken over from the SABC and SABC2 by eNCA, but just left in a vast wasteland of no attention when it comes to actual consistent publicity before every episode.

Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola cracked an Emmy nomination in 2013 but not even that achievement is enough for eNCA and e.tv to start giving the half hour satire show the consistent publicity, weekly updates and bare basic level programming note per week.

Chester Missing will have other words for it. I just call it pathetic and shameful.

HILARIOUS. Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola interviews the Marikana sangoma; rips Judith Sephuma, Trevor Noah, David Kau and Top Billing.

It's brilliant and hilarious: Loyiso Gola interviewing the supposed Marikana sangoma who told the miners they would be invincible and invisible if they use his potion.

The incredibly funny skit was peppered with amazing one-liners zinging everyone from Judith Sephuma to Trevor Noah and David Kau to Top Billing -  delivered with deadpan perfection by the sangoma named Thokoza.

Thokoza told Loyiso Gola he's not doing so well after the mine incident. "These are my customers who came to me for everything".

"I know Judith veery well," said the sangoma. "She drops off her Chicken Licken bones every Friday."

"Ask your comedian friends. Ask that boy Trevor Noah. Ask him. People don't know whether he's coloured or just an albino. He came to me. And the next thing ... New York! Baa-baa!"

"That David Kau. He would have been selling hats at the robot. Then he came to me for help. I threw the bones. And said: Dress up like a brown cow. And do black accents for black people. Next thing he's getting  married on Top Billing. Top!"

I simply HAD to upload a clip of this deliciously wonderful skit after I've watched it since last night multiple, multiple times. The comedic timing, facial expressions, pacing and tone of voice of both are just perfect.

BREAKING. Riaad Moosa gives viewers and president Jacob Zuma the middle finger on e.tv in Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola.

Comedian Riaad Moosa gave South African viewers watching e.tv and the eNCA (DStv 403) the middle finger in a rude hand gesture on public television last night - not once but three times.

In the 5th season debut of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola which started last night for another 14 new episodes on e.tv and the eNCA, Riaad Moosa drove his point home by constantly raising and giving the audience the middle finger when referencing and talking about the South African president Jacob Zuma in the show's regular insert "Second Opinion with Riaad Moosa".


ALSO READ: LNN mocks The Wild on M-Net: "The Wild is finished. If there's actors out there looking for work - NPA. We've got space for you guys."
ALSO READ: LNN and Loyiso Gola is back for a 5th season to make highly-enjoyable laughs in late night with Late Nite.

BREAKING. LNN mocks The Wild on M-Net: 'The Wild is finished. If there's actors out there looking for work - NPA. We've got space for you guys.'

You're reading it here first. 

Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola, back with its 5th season premiere episode earlier tonight on e.tv and the eNCA (DStv 403), simply couldn't resist getting in a jab at the cancelled soap The Wild on M-Net.

A fictional spokesperson from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was on the show and being interviewed by Loyiso Gola when Jason Goliath, supposed NPA spokesperson, deadpanned and mocked The Wild.

He told Loyiso Gola: "We've realised The Wild is finished. If there's actors out there looking for work - NPA. We've got space for you guys."


ALSO READ: Riaad Moosa gives viewers and president Jacob Zuma the middle finger on Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola.

Programming note: The brilliant Loyiso Gola is back for a 5th season to make a highly-enjoyable laugh of late night with Late Nite.

The only question mark regarding the return of the 5th season tonight at 21:35 on e.tv and 21:30 on eNCA (DStv 403) of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola is why this brilliantly sharp and extremely funny satirical news show has not yet been turned in a full year-round and permanent property on the news channel.

With South Africa in the midst of a new class war and economic struggle with rampant political corruption and failing public service delivery from electricity, public works and textbooks a show such as Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola is riveting, unmissable, neccesary (and did I mention enjoyable?) television.

The funny comedian is incredibly on-point and topical with political issues running the gamut of the entire spectrum, weighing-in on issues all South Africa's have heard about during the week - and often funnily linked with declasse pop culture references like to Nonhle Thema - making things everything even funnier.

The unabated torrent of hilarious and snide (yet oh so true) commentary from Loyiso Gola and cohorts on current affairs matters are spot-on.

Riaad Moosa is back with his biting "Second Opinion" insert and the hilariously wonderful David Kibuuka will continue to report from far-flung and near geographical locations (Lonmin or the Marikana mine, perhaps, tonight in the 5th season opener?)

That foul-mouthed Dineo Ranaka Chester Missing the puppet is also back; and the recent addition since the 4th season, Tats Nkonzo with his "Morale Index" (hilarious! hilarious!), will also return for the 14 new episodes this season.

"LNN holds up a mirror to South Africa and encourages the youth to engage with the political landscape of today," says Tamsin Andersson, producer of LNN with Loyiso Gola. "Satire and humour are powerful tools in opening up the space for debate and free thought in popular culture. We ask the common sense questions and make people laugh."

According to the show this 5th season will have "all eyes on the Road to Mangaung, with the 14th episode of LNN being broadcast a few days before the kick-off of Mangaung. Viewers can also expect cameos from some of the country's most celebrated performers, says the show.

LNN with Loyiso Gola has several weekly repeats on the eNCA on Thursdays at 09:30, Fridays at 16:30, Saturdays at 23:30 and Mondays at 21:30.

Programming note: Fifth season of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola set to return to the eNCA on Wednesday 12 September at 21:30.

The 5th season of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola (LNN) will start on Wednesday 12 September at 21:30 on the eNCA (DStv 403).

The satirical news show is fronted by Loyiso Gola.and will have repeats on Thursdays at 12:30, Fridays at 21:00 and Saturdays at 16:30.

So far not a single word publicity wise to TV critics and writers from e.tv or the eNCA about an excellent TV show starting again in exactly a week's time.

Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola set to return to the eNews Channel for a 4th season on Tuesday 8 May.

The starting date for the 4th season of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola on the eNews Channel (DStv 403) and simulcast on e.tv has moved to Tuesday 8 May.

Last week I broke the news RIGHT HERE that Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola has been renewed for a 4th season set to start in April this year. The well-done satirical news show skewering South African politicians and news headlines will be back for a 4th season but now one month later than originally planned.

Programming note: '3rd season of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola will be bigger and better ... but not yet in 3D,' says producer.

At the end of last month I was first to write about the return of the late night satire news show Late Nite with Loyiso Gola for a 3rd season to the eNews Channel (and simulcast on e.tv).

The entertaining and irreverent show is back from tonight at 21:30 with the regular cast of Loyiso Gola, David Kibuuka, Riaad Moosa and puppet Chester Missing with a splendid spin on South African politics and local news stories through subversive interviews, news reports and social commentary.

''Late Nite News has become essential viewing and has established itself as the only comedy show on television that is brave, edgy, relevant and simply hilarious,'' says Debbie Meyer, e.tv executive producer. ''Viewers were devastated when the second season ended and have been demanding that the show be brought back quickly.''

''The third season of LLN will be very similar to the second season of LNN, although bigger and better ... but not yet in 3D,'' says Tamsin Andersson, LNN producer. The new season of Late Nite with Loyiso Gola will feature guest stars in the form of some of South Africa's most accomplished comedians and also introduce some of the up and coming talent to television.

BREAKING. Late Night with Loyiso Gola set to return for a new 3rd season to the eNews Channel from Wednesday 7 September at 21:30.

You're reading it here first.

Late Night with Loyiso Gola is returning for a new, 3rd season to the eNews Channel (DStv 403) next Wednesday 7 September at 21:30 - although neither e.tv nor the eNews Channel has yet bothered to actually officially tell the press.

The brilliant late night satirical show presented in the form of the faux Late Nite News (or LNN), weekly looks at news events in South Africa as well as around the world and has really found its footing during the second season.

Loyiso Gola's delectable dissection of the week's news and political shenanigans is incredibly refreshing and funny, and he's assisted by over-the-top comedic cohorts that include an over-hyped and dramatic roving reporter (suffering a near fatal disease overseas in the second season finale so it's unclear if he will be back), an academic expert, and a menagerie of often-hysterical puppets.

Programming note: The crisp comedic coolness of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola back for a 2nd season on e.tv, eNews Channel.

Late night local TV comedy has found a refreshing, sparkling, irreverently apt and fearlessly funny show in the satirical Late Nite News (LLN) with Loyiso Gola that will be back for a second season on e.tv and the eNews Channel (DStv 403) from Wednesday, 16 March at 21:30.

Where many have tried (and are still trying) in the notoriously difficult genre of late night comedy/satire/talk to crack in South Africa, Loyiso Gola is spot on great with his satirical faux news show that will return with a new set. Loyiso Gola is already successfully starting to look very much like South Africa's version of Jon Stewart - ripping news makers, news institutions, the media and headline making stories and politicians with just the right measure of jabs that's smile-inducingly funny. Late Nite News is a joy - devoid of the overacted antics, forced jokes, stilted dialogue and unfunny comedians who've tried before and feel so self-conscious of their efforts (and don't really know the news) that it all falls flat.

Even the press release e.tv issued about the new second season of Late Nite News brims with tone-perfect humour, coyly teasing: ''The new season won't be any different. Some classified information has been leaked, and has indicated that viewers can expect to see old and new faces, a brand new set as well as a focus on the upcoming municipal elections and all the behind-the-scenes shenanigans. But this is all hearsay.'' Quite indicative of the strong, courant relevant, yet tongue in cheek approach viewers get to see in Late Nite News.

"We developed Late Nite News out of the need to see satire on South African TV, and to create the platform to comment in this way on current affairs and politics,'' says Tamsin Andersson, Late Nite News producer. ''Season two is so exciting because of all we learnt during the training ground of season one, and the incredible creative talent who have come to be involved in the show. We have some of the best comedians in the country today writing and performing on Late Nite News and Loyiso Gola as the host of the show has such a strong voice.''

The regular cast of Loyiso Gola, David Kibuuka, Riaad Moosa and Chester Missing will all be back for the ssecond season.  ''We are going to hit harder. We are bringing a new energy to this season,'' says Loyiso Gola. ''We've added a couple of awesome new characters and Dave and Chester are definitely going to pull a couple of surprises.''

Besides the Wednesday 21:30 timeslot Late Nite News will repeat on the eNews Channel on Thursdays (10:30), Fridays (09:30), and Saturdays and Sundays (10:30).