Plan underway for new TV show on Mzansi Magic to reunite Bob Mabena and Melanie Son for music programme playing Studio Mix videos.

An attempt is being made to reunite Bob Mabena and Melanie Bala (then Melanie Son) as co-presenters of a new music show on South African television which will play classic music video hits.

Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) could see Bob Mabena and Melanie Bala reunite as the presenters of a music show years after they were the faces of the iconic SABC1 music programme Studio Mix.

In a twist, the music of the possible new show, will still be the music which was played on Studio Mix - which now would be considered classic pop.

Negotiations between Mzansi Magic and the production company is currently underway.

PROGRAMMING NOTE. Melanie Bala chats to Natasha Sutherland.

Melanie Bala who's brand-new local TV talk show, Let's Chat with . . . Mel starts this evening at 20:00 on M-Net Series (DStv 110) kick off with a high profile guest: Natasha Sutherland. Other guests include Dion Chang who talks about his new book Flux Trends and what 2010 will hold and Kate Emmerson who helps a hapless viewer get control of her clutter.

For my interview with Melanie Bala you can click RIGHT HERE.

Tonight's debut episode is a must-see. I was sitting right there in the live studio-audience at Clive Morris Productions and everyone were mesmerized. Mel who could have easily taken the more tabloid road, kept the high ground asking follow-up questions to some of Natasha's answers. The show is classy, clever and Melanie has a strong and really funny personality - which is exactly what talk show television thrives on.

Here's some choice quote bits from Natasha out of Melanie's great interview, so you can see why you have to watch tonight and see for yourself what Natasha said:

''I've put myself in a reclusive state because of my marriage. I had blocked women out because I judged them. They were threats.''

''If you want to change but you stay in the victim box, you will never change. I have to get out of the whole victim role and make it work.''

''When you're an actress you can hide behind a mask, I've been doing it my whole life. And what happened when all the stories came out -  there was no mask. I was completely naked. So I've learned so much.''

BREAKING. 'Absolute Women' NEW NAME IS: 'Let's Chat. . .with Mel'.

You're reading it here first. I was FIRST with the news that Melanie Bala is doing an Oprah by getting her own brand new local talk show , then I spilled FIRST that it was tentatively going to be called Absolute Women, I did a set visit and was FIRST to bring you awesome pics from the show and a set reveal and now I can be FIRST again with the news that the show has changed it's working title from Absolute Women to: Let's Chat . . .with Mel.

The show looks awesome, Melanie Bala is uber intelligent and clever (but in a funny and completely relatable way to the female audience her show it pitched to) and I think the show is going to be a hit. It starts on 6 January on M-Net Series (DStv 110).

BREAKING. First look at Melanie Bala's new talk show set for Absolute Women.

You're seeing it here first. I was first to break the news that Melanie Bala is getting a new local talk show, it was I who had all the details of it first, had the first official pics and spilled the name, Absolute Women. ,Before everyone else as well of course.
Here's another first - the VERY FIRST GLIMPSE of Absolute Women's very cool talk show set.

The show is recorded at Clive Morris Productions and starts on 6 January at 20:00 on M-Net Series (DStv 110). I just walked out of a recording and the show is funny (actually Mel is funny), it's clever without being too high-brow intelligent, it's different to everything else out there, the production quality is high, thought clearly went into every aspect of the show and guest line-up, and Melanie was great to talk to.

Also, the title of Absolute Women might still change. I've known it for a while, but I was told so again today, so I'll update with the new name - should there be one - as soon as I hear anything.

Where 3Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 is bathed in blue and darker aqua hues, Absolute Women is vibrant in shades of orange, and very bright. Also notice the circular and fluid wave pattern incorporated into the set design, the wavey curve distribution playing out in the back panels, the orange  bottom-lit floor panel insets, and the couches to compliment the set design colour palette.

BREAKING. 'Absolute Woman' with Melanie Bala.

You're reading it here first. I can be first to tell you that Melanie Bala's new local talk show will be titled. . . Absolute Woman.

:)

Of course I was first last month with this story breaking the news that Ms M is busy with her own talk show for the M-Net Series channel.

I can now also tell you that Absolute Woman will start in January on M-Net Series. The show will center around female drive topics, as I've already said, with a studio audience. It will be M-Net Series' very first locally produced talk show.

Also, this brand-new publicity pic of Melanie Bala, you're also seeing here . . . FIRST.

BREAKING. Melanie Bala . . . talk show host

You're reading it here first. Who is the next local schlebrity who is going to take a turn trying out for TV talk show host?

Melanie Bala.

Earlier the year I was first to write that M-Net has put out a brief for a new local talk show aimed at women, with a female talk show host.

It now appears that they've found her in the form of Melanie Bala.

The show is done by Clive Morris Productions and the talk show is now looking for guests to be on it as studio members. Email kea@cmproductions.co.za or phone 011 787 6202.



Here is what Melanie writes about her NEW TALK SHOW!

I'm a 36 year old woman, newly-married wife and mother to a gorgeous 2 year old boy.
I am proud to be a seasoned television and radio host who has been in the broadcasting industry for 17 years and accumulated a lot of life experience on the way.

I'm very excited about the prospect of hosting this show, as it speaks to me and where I am in my life now. I'm also a little bit of a feminist, and love to challenge the status quo when it comes to how women are seen in the world.

This platform offers the opportunity to share information, learn more about something you might not know too much about and accept all women, as they are, flaws and all. None of us are perfect, and I don't think we want to be, but we do want to be equipped with the knowledge and skill to take on the world and be able to laugh about it when we get it wrong.

Thanks Melanie


I just asked M-Net.
''There have been pitches for a new female driven talk show but at this stage M-Net can't give you more information.''

Well, it seems Melanie Bala and Clive Morris Productions basically gave it ALL to us already.

Some topics of episodes will include BODY IMAGE, ARE YOU A HOARDER? and EMOTIONAL ABUSE.

UPDATE: Thursday 11:15 - the Facebook group New M-Net Talk Show JUST DISAPPEARED.

In other commissioning news, kykNET is going to make a new local comedy show as well as a kids show.