BREAKING. Survivor SA Santa Carolina as a DVD box set with extra features? Not so fast, says M-Net.

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Will the just concluded Survivor SA Santa Carolina on M-Net - rocked by a guy in a red speedo, a guy with a penis problem, a drama queen who quit to be with her kid, and a stripper called GiGi who won it all - come out as a DVD box set with special added features and behind-the-scenes footage?

Not so fast, says M-Net who broadcast the third season of the reality show. The pay broadcaster hasn't made a decision on this yet. Although it is possible - and althought the show was wildly popular and even got extended by one week with a special bonus behind-the-scenes episode - M-Net will still have to decide. Somewhat problematic - although not impossible - is all of the international agreements that have to be ironed out should a Survivor SA Santa Carolina DVD box set get given the go-ahead.

''No decision has been made in this regard as yet, as Survivor SA is bound by international format rights and there is a process to undergo. We will advise if the result is a positive one,'' I'm told.

BREAKING. Survivor SA Santa Carolina producers blatantly disses and dumps Christina Storm, Jub Jub from TV special.

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How much do M-Net and the producers of Survivor SA Santa Carolina simply hate Christina Storm and Jub Jub? Well these two controversial and troublemaker celebitants are very visibly loathed so much by the producers, they were both blatantly dropped from this evening's Survivor SA Santa Carolina behind-the-scenes TV special.

Both are obviously, ''visually non-grata'' on M-Net; both only appeared in very brief glimpses and then only in filmed footage from the show. Neither Christina Storm who left in a huff and quit the show leaving the producers scrambling, or Jub Jub who also left claiming penile problems (and almost overshadowed the reality show by his real-life car-crash engulfed, alleged drug-fuelled real-life disaster) were asked for comments. Neither were included in the TV special in which all the other celebitants were interviewed, or asked like the rest whether they'd participate in Survivor SA again.

Both Christina Storm and Jub Jub were completely ostracised by the producers from the Survivor SA Santa Carolina TV special as far as possible, with no mention of why they were omitted.

FIRST LOOK! Okkert Brits in a red speedo: why is he wearing Izak Davel's mankini?

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Can it be? It is. I can exclusively first show you Okkert Brits in a speedo. And by further investigation, tell you that its Izak Davel's red mankini that he wore on the island in Survivor SA Santa Carolina!

In a behind-the scenes hour long TV special on Wednesday at 19:30 on M-Net, viewers will see Okkert Brits sporting the red barely-there swimwear when he puts on Izak Davel's buzzed about swimwear in the reality show. Of course, Okkert Brits looks a bit sky, unlike Izak Davel who GiGI accused of being a show-off.

Both GiGi who won Survivor SA Santa Carolina and runner-up Ashley Hayden will get time to expand on their journey in interviews that were recorded this past Thursday in the TV special. In more diary sessions filmed on and off the island, the other celebitants will reveal more things. Celebitants like Darren Maule, Louw Venter and Kaseran Pillay are even together in one room discussing certain key moments in the show.

ALSO READ: Izak Davel surprised by red underwear joke at live finale
ALSO READ: Izak Davel on his red speedo.

Survivor SA Santa Carolina winner GiGi is tired of unisex.

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Survivor SA Santa Carolina winner GiGi is tired of unisex. Unisex toilets that is. The exotic dancer who won the celebrity edition of the M-Net reality show now wants to use some of her winnings to improve the lives of her girls.

GiGi of course runs The Lollipop Lounge in Randburg where the girls apparently have somewhat of a rough time with the male clientele. ''At the moment I'm battling space at the club,'' GiGi says. ''It's a huge battle. I've taken my parking area and I've been putting dressing rooms in there for the girls. They need dressing rooms desperately. I'm also running with unisex toilets which I really don't like. The girls don't want to share their bathrooms with the male clients so now I can build on toilets just for the ladies, and just for the male customers, which I think is a better idea,'' GiGi told me.

To read more of what GiGi has to say, click on READ MORE below.

BREAKING. Izak Davel's red underwear surprise: ''I got such a fright when the guys started to drop trou.''

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Izak Davel, the Survivor SA Santa Carolina celebitant who strutted around on the show in his red speedo, tells me exclusively that he had no idea that some of his fellow celebitants we're planning to drop trou and reveal skimpy red underwear during the show's live finale this past Wednesday night on M-Net.

During the live finale, fellow celebitants Garth Collins, Louw Venter and Gys de Villiers all pulled down their pants to reveal red undies. Meanwhile Survivor SA Santa Carolina host Nico Panagio didn't drop his pants, but pulled the top of his underwear out to show that - yes, he too - is wearing a little red something-something to cover his nether regions.

''I honestly had no idea. I didn't know that they've planned this whole undies thing,'' Izak Davel told me when I met up with him after the live finale. ''I got such a fright when the guys started to drop trou. I thought: Ay-yay-yay-yay-yay. . .  But it was sharp. I appreciate the joke.''

To see what else Izak Davel told me about his new movie role, making music with some of the other Survivor celebitants, and his experience of being on a reality show and if he'll ever do it again, click on READ MORE below!

INTERVIEW. M-Net on reality shows: ''The days of it just being a TV show, is long gone.''

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With Survivor SA Santa Carolina just concluding on M-Net (with a behind the scenes special tomorrow eveing at 19:30) and the sixth season of Idols starting up, I asked Helen Smit, M-Net's head of local content, about how M-Net sees the ongoing expansion of its TV properties from just being TV shows, to becoming TV experiences.

Will Survivor SA Santa Carolina be back? How did it perform? And how does M-Net see the evolution of TV programming beyond the box?

For answers to all of these questions, click on READ MORE below.

Nico Panagio on prepping for the Survivor SA Santa Carolina's live finale: ''It was amazing - like bungee jumping.''

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I met up with Nico Panagio, Survivor SA Santa Carolina host and his wife, Christi Panagio at the island style after party (Christi Panagio and I were on the same plane back to Cape Town the next day).

 I spoke to Nico Panagio about his new role in the new Afrikaans drama Vallei van Sluiers that just started on Tuesdays on kykNET (DStv 111), his Survivor SA Santa Carolina experience, whether he will be returning to SABC3's Top Billing and how the live finale of the reality show was for him.

To see what Nico Panagio has to say, as well as some more photos, click on READ MORE below.

ANALYSIS. Why M-Net shouldn't be blamed for pathetic Jub Jub's charity chaos.

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I was first RIGHT HERE early this morning to tell you that M-Net is not considering, and never has considered, pressing any fraud charges against Jub Jub . Now I can tell you that although the broadcaster is superbly polite and friendly, M-Net (that paid out over R2 million this past week to various charities as part of Survivor SA Santa Carolina) is simply fuming behind the scenes about an erroneous tabloid trash piece where another journalist got it all wrong about Jub Jub (Molemo ''Jub Jub'' Maarohanye - and making M-Net look bad.

I have ALL you need to know about this issue, why M-Net is unfairly pulled into this issue and the real perspective you need to know on this case regarding the broadcaster, and the celebitant's meltdown that made things difficult for M-Net. Click on READ MORE below.

BREAKING. M-Net NOT considering any fraud charges against Jub Jub regarding his fake charity.

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Despite what you might have read this morning in a trash Sunday tabloid, I can exclusively reveal first that M-Net is NOT, repeat NOT looking at fraud charges, or ever considered anything of the sort regarding Survivor SA Santa Carolina contestant Jub Jub (Molemo ''Jub Jub'' Maaronhanye).

The craptastic tabloid erroneously claims that the pay broadcaster is looking at and considering fraud charges against the beleaguered hip hop artist for naming a fake charity on the reality show. Not even half wrong - completely untrue.

''Completely, utterly, not not true,'' says one of my completely trustworthy M-Net inside sources super closely connected with the show.

I've asked and M-Net should have some official response later today.

BREAKING. GiGi wins Survivor SA Santa Carolina.

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GiGi (42) has just been announced by Nico Panagio as the winner of Survivor SA Santa Carolina in the broadcast of the live finale of the third season of the reality show.

GiGi, an exotic dancer wins R500 000 for herself and her charity. I'll bring more breaking news and live coverage of this show before the evening is over.

BREAKING. What's going on inside Studio 6 RIGHT NOW where the Survivor SA Santa Carolina live finale will happen tonight.

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I can bring you this real-time live update on what is happening right now behind the doors above on the set, and behind it, from where tonight's live finale of Survivor SA Santa Carolina will be happening from 19:30 on M-Net.

''It's an absolutely fantastic vibe,'' I'm told by someone with access to Studio 6 at M-Net's Randburg studios which lies behind these yellow doors and is where the original Big Brother house used to be. ''There is a great vibe under the TV crew, the contestants - everyone is busy. Freshlyground is rehearsing and the contestants are rehearsing where they have to be when. Ashley Hayden and GiGi are visibly nervous.''

A few moments ago GiGi was heard saying that she ''just want it to happen now'' and ''don't want to wait any longer''. ''Everyone is waiting and everyone is happy,'' I'm told. ''There is a big sense of anticipation. They're all in Studio 6 and in the garden at the back which has been turned into make-up rooms a while back. Some are sitting and chatting, some are standing around, some are getting their hair and make-up done, getting their outfits and just catching up.''

BREAKING. Survivor SA Santa Carolina finale ''will be packed'', definitely ''has a reunion feel to it'' - director.

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The Survivor SA Santa Carolina live finale tonight at 19:30 on M-Net will be jam-packed and - unlike the previous seasons - have much more of a real reunion feel to it as viewers have come to expect from the American version.

I cornered Survivor SA Santa Carolina director Donald Clarke to tell me some of the structure, content and plans for tonight's live finale that will play out over 90 minutes from Studio 6 at M-Net's studios in Randburg. Donald Clarke gave me the exclusive scoop.

''We've been very careful to give viewers new insight and new storylines and different perspectives from week to week in the show, so we're completely fine to let the contestants all just come on and describe their journey,'' Donald Clarke tells me. ''They will definitely have time to reflect and look back – now that the show is over – to the key decision that they've made on the way that got them there. We're going to hear from them on how the whole series unravelled with their commentary on that. That's the first part of the show.''

''Then the rest of the show definitely has a reunion feel to it. The contestants are back, we look at the game and characters, we've got giveaways to do – there's cars to give away to audience members. We also have for the first time audience questions whereby the live studio audience will get to engage the Survivors and answer their questions. We have a live band, Freshlyground will be performing for us. It's going to be quite a packed show. There will be lots happening. Nico Panagio, the host, will be able to explore the reaction of the losers and delve in and ask the final four and final five what their perspectives on the winner is after the winner is announced.''

BREAKING. Survivor SA Santa Carolina studio for tonight's live finale ''looks amazing''.

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I can exclusively reveal first (from a source who's seen it): the Survivor SA Santa Carolina set in Studio 6 at M-Net's studios in Randburg ''looks amazing''.

''It's really awesome,'' the source tells me who've witnessed the reconstruction inside Studio 6 from where the live 90 minute TV finale will be broadcast from tonight at 19:30 on M-Net.

''It's brilliant,'' says the source. ''It's as if we're back on the island. The set designers have done a great and a truly amazing job.''

CONFIRMED. No speedo for Izak Davel at the Survivor SA Santa Carolina live finale tonight.

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After a barrage of questions from readers, I asked M-Net and the answer is finally ''no'': No speedo or Izak Davel in a speedo on TV in tonight's live Survivor SA Santa Carolina finale at 19:30 on M-Net.

A lot of readers were apparently clamouring to see Izak Davel don his red swimsuit one last time which is also the most favourite item on auction from the show.

''There will be no speedo or Izak Davel in a speedo tonight on air,'' an M-Net spokesperson told me - and joked: ''We refuse to air it.'' M-Net tells me the red speedo is locked away and won't form a part of tonight's 90 minute live show. It doesn't mean however that viewers won't get to see clips or outtakes from previous episodes of Izak Davel donning the much spoken about red mankini.

''He's not wearing a speedo for tonight's Survivor SA Santa Carolina live show,'' the M-Net spokesperson said with laughter in his voice.

INTERVIEW. Survivor SA Santa Carolina director Donald Clarke: ''This is the best show that I've worked on. I love it.''

I talked to Donald Clarke, director of Survivor SA Santa Carolina who's directed both previous seasons of the island style reality show and also the third season coming to an end with the live finale tonight from 19:30 on M-Net.

Donald Clarke reveals what the hardest emotional part was for him during the making of Survivor SA Santa Carolina, he discussed the live finale tonight and uses the word ''extravaganza'', talks about what made him crazy, how the third season compared to the previous two production wise and what the experience has been like for him. See what he says when I ask him about something nobody knows about: when a part of the hotel collapsed while they were filming the final tribal council on the island!

For my extremely insightful interview with Donald Clarke, revealing a massive amount of behind the scenes info and perspective on Survivor SA Santa Carolina, click on READ MORE below.

EXCLUSIVE. Did you hear about the black mamba slithering around at Survivor SA Santa Carolina's tribal council? . . .

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I can exclusively reveal that the Survivor SA Santa Carolina tribal council was one heck of a stressful affair: not just because the production crew had to film it on a remote island in Mozambique. Not just because the celebitants had to vote people out . . . but because of a black mamba that kept everyone on their toes.

The snake was seen several times during the filming of Survivor SA Santa Carolina around the deserted and dilapidated hotel which doubles as the tribal council area. The Survivor SA Santa Carolina 90 minute live finale is broadcast tonight at 19:30 on M-Net.

EXCLUSIVE. The secrets of M-Net's Studio 6 where the Survivor SA Santa Carolina live finale takes place tonight.

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No entry and strictly off limits. (Oh. And no smoking, no eating and no drinking!) I can exclusively reveal the ominous-looking, yet non-descript door to M-Net's Studio 6 at the broadcaster's studios in Randburg, inside from which tonight's 90 minute live Survivor SA Santa Carolina finale will originate at 19:30.

The Survivor SA Santa Carolina live finale will be attended by 240 studio guests who will be walking through this door currently completely off limits for basically anyone working at M-Net. ''No entry. Survivor crew only!!'' reads the sign on the door of Studio 6 inside of which the Survivor SA Santa Carolina tribal council area will be recreated.

Studio 6 is completely off limits for anyone not a part of the Endemol SA crew and anyone else without the proper accreditation and I'm being told the rule is vigorously enforced. For the past few days Studio 6 (where the All Access set used to be) has been a hive of activity as the new set and studio seating were created and constructed, as well as the lighting and cameras tested and adjusted.

BREAKING. Spicy content coming for new Survivor SA Santa Carolina TV special next Wednesday.

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Earlier today I was first RIGHT HERE to tell you about M-Net's plans for an additional and special Survivor SA Santa Carolina episode and why (because of League of Glory's soccer ball balls up.)
I immediately asked what the hour long special on Wednesday, 28 April at 19:30 on M-Net would entail and now I can reveal more.

I can tell you that very spicy, somewhat racy and moment never meant to be shown on TV as part of the reality show, will be broadcast by M-Net. ''The cameras rolled day in and day out on the Santa Carolina island,'' says Helen Smit, head of local content at M-Net. She says the pay broadcaster wants ''to please all those Survivor SA fans who have been begging to see more of the celebrity adventures on the Mozambican island.''

''We had an estimated 62 000 minutes of footage that were edited into 13 hour long episodes. In the new additional episode we'll show viewers some material which didn't make the final cut due to time limitations. We've been looking for a way to share this footage with our viewers and this is the perfect opportunity,'' she says. The special episode will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, never-before-seen clips, expanded explanations, and one or two hot hot hot surprises.

BREAKING. M-Net planning an hour long Survivor SA Santa Carolina TV special for next Wednesday.

I can tell you that an hour long Survivor SA Santa Carolina special, jam-packed with revealing behind the scenes footage is coming to viewers next Wednesday at 19:30.

The originally unplanned Survivor SA Santa Carolina TV special - that will reveal more about the behind the scenes machinations of the massive M-Net TV production - has been hastily scheduled because of the soccer ball bungle in the new M-Net drama show League of Glory that necessitated reshoots and pushed the debut date of League of Glory one week on.

Viewers and fans of Survivor SA Santa Carolina can look forward to more crew interviews, revealing insider secrets, on-location filming as well as all kinds of footage that fell out of the main show during editing, as well as TV footage that's great but was never intended to make it to broadcast.

BREAKING. Survivor SA Santa Carolina studio audience will get to ask questions in live finale.

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The 90 minute live finale of Survivor SA Santa Carolina tomorrow evening (starting at 19:30 on M-Net) will containt several special surprises and twists. I can exclusively reveal one, which is that the studio audience will get to ask questions. Nico Panagio, the presenter, will be the moderator during the question time.

The studio audience of 240 people in Studio 6 where the live finale of the third season of the reality show will take place at M-Net's studios in Randburg, will get the opportunity to ask questions to the contestants during a portion of the 90 minute broadcast.