Final episode of Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 today at 4pm will be a 'live farewell party' outside with favourite guests, clips, performances.

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The final episode of Three Talk with Noeleen which will be broadcast today live at 16:00 will take place outside as a live farewell party to celebrate the TV show swan song of talk show host Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu on SABC3.

Today Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu will bring to a close her talk show after 12 years and over 3 000 episodes - a decision she took last year but only announced to a stunned audience in February.

Sources close to the production told TV with Thinus that 90% of the episode is happening outside of the studio today.

The final Three Talk with Noeleen will be taking the form of a "live farewell party" with some of Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu's favourite guests from over the years in attendance; lots of looking back at great Three Talk with Noeleen moments over all the years and fun performances from some of the talk show host's favourite performers.

"It's really a party. We're going with a happy ending. We're going out Noeleen style, dancing," said an insider.

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu will not be surprised with today's finale, the planning of which started three months ago already.

An Urban Brew wrap party, the company which has been producing the weekday talk show over the years, took place this past Friday.

"Today is her party and it needs to be done with her in mind. We want Noeleen to say goodbye in Noeleen style. Today's TV farewell has been thoughtfully planned alongside Noeleen to ensure that she gets the farewell that she wants,"said the source.

Joanne Lurie, series producer on Three Talk with Noeleen, speaking on behalf of the crew said "It's been the most incredible ride. I've been here for 8 years. Some of the crew's been here since the very beginning. Nobody's been as blessed as we have been to love every single day of what we do."

"Working with Noeleen - I used to joke saying Three Talk stole my youth - but the truth is it returned the favour by blessing me with a sister. She has become family to all of us. It's been an unbelievable, amazing journey."

"If it's one person's life that got changed through Three Talk, then I'm very grateful," said Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu on Friday's penultimate episode.

"The universe and God had other plans for me," said the woman who went from construction company receptionist in the Eastern Cape to now holding the record of longest running and most successful local weekday TV talker in South Africa's television history.

After today's final episode of Three Talk with Noeleen the crew will stay on with Urban Brew Studios and move on to different projects, while Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu remains tight-lipped about her next chapter, which will likely include a holiday to France.

"On Tuesday I'm going to go buy seeds to grow basil,"said Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu. "I'm going to grow it in one pot."

"Noeleen keeps saying she's growing basil, but the truth is Noeleen kills plants - ha ha - so we're not entirely sure how that's going to work!" laughed a source.

The tables are turned on Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu today in the penultimate episode of Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 at 16:00.

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You don't want to miss Three Talk with Noeleen today on SABC3 at 16:00 when the tables are turned on talk show host Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu who ends up in the hot seat when she herself is being interviewed in the penultimate episode of her longrunning local talk show.

On Monday Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu will bring to a close her talk show after 13 years - a decision she took last year but only announced to a stunned audience in February.

Before Monday's finale however, the producers, according to sources, will be turning the tables on Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu in today's live episode with guests that even the talk show host is not aware of.

TV with Thinus knows the names of the South African TV royalty and the famously funny who will be dropping by today on the Three Talk with Noeleen set at Urban Brew Studios in Johannesburg, but isn't going to mention names so as to not spoil the surprise for the talk show host.

TV stars who will interview Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu today include a top TV doyenne whose rise to fame was as spectacular, as well as a funny face often missing in action.

When she finally signs off on Monday on SABC3, Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu - who went from construction company receptionist in the Eastern Cape to successful weekday TV talker - will hold two distinct South African television records which won't easily be broken.

When Three Talk with Noeleen ends on Monday, the first record it will hold will be the Urban Brew produced show, as longest-running local TV talk show in all of South Africa television.

It's an exceptional feat made even more special given its position on the SABC's airwaves - known for chopping, changing and cancelling shows at a whim due to the vagaries of public broadcaster TV executives.

Three Talk with Noeleen saw multiple timeslot changes and interruptions over more than the past decade on the air on SABC3 and managed to survive.

The second record which won't be easily shattered will be for the presenter herself, Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu and the sheer number of of-air minutes logged by a single presenter in her own show.

With a five days a week, hour long talk show, Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu racked up more screen time and talk time for a dedicated, locally produced TV talk show than any other person, far surpassing Felicia Mabuza-Suttle who was a guest on the programme last month.

As Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu bids her TV post goodbye, new faces are waiting in the wings.

The  reality show Presenter Search on 3 is midway through finding new TV presenters for several SABC3 shows, Claire Mawisa has joined M-Net's Carte Blanche, Simon Witbooi joined SABC2's Pasella, news channel ANN7 (DStv 405) is doing an "anchor search" and Dineo Moeketsi, Pabi Moloi and Phillip Mapela are joining e.tv's talker Ekse.

INTERVIEW. Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu on bidding Three Talk on SABC3 goodbye: 'It's a journey that has to come to an end.'

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu tells TV with Thinus after deciding to end her local daily TV show that she's sad but that "it's a journey that has to come to an end".

Promising "a beautiful goodbye", the talk show host of Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 - South Africa's only locally produced daily weekday talk show - stunned viewers yesterday when she announced on her show that she's saying adios on 20 April after 12 years.

On Tuesday morning I spoke with Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu about her decision, what she wants to do next, what she thinks of the the state of local talk TV in South Africa - and how she'll be saying goodbye.


Noeleen, why did you decide that now is the time to step away from Three Talk, because you actually made the decision a year ago?
Noeleen: It was a year ago. You know what Thinus, after 11 years I sat down in the chair one day and I was doing what I did every day and I thought: "What more can I add?" And I really believe - and I've said this from day one, that talk is very personal, and you've got to add something to it.

And you know, I thought, I'm not adding anything. It's time for me to bow out. And obviously I had a conversation with my family, and told the SABC last year, and said :guys I really think I need to leave".

When I entered this arena it was about what am I going to be able to offer? And I just don't think I'm able to offer much more. I think after 12 years, Thinus, you're bored as well of me.


Not really. How did the staff and producers feel when you told them?
Noeleen: You have to ask them. I can't. It would be unfair of me to say "so and so said this". I'm sad. It's a journey that's come to an end. But it's a journey that has to come to an end. I'm 48. I don't want to be on crutches and be walking onto the Three Talk set. I can't wear my high heel shoes!

But seriously. For me it has to be about me. As selfish as that maybe sounds and as sad as it is for people who've been watching for 12 years. You know, I could still go on for another year or two years. But then what? It's enough.


So what's waiting for the next chapter for Noeleen? What is there that you want to do next?
Noeleen: Do you want to employ me? I could be your assistant.


Ha ha.
Noeleen: I'm going to be unemployed.


And with the more time - of not being shackled of having to be at a certain place daily to do an hour long talk show?
Noeleen: You know, I've been working since I was 16. So can you imagine. I'm 48 now. For a while I just want to do nothing. I want to wake up in the morning and make my children breakfast, take them to school. I just want me. I just want me time. It sounds very ... but yes, I just want me. I just want to be me.


It's so striking to me that we haven't seen in terms of local South African TV talk more Noeleen's or more daily, weekday talk shows. 
Noeleen: That saddens me. I really think that we've got huge talent in South Africa. Huge, huge, amazing people. And I would really like to see another run of strong male and female talk doing daily talk. Of exploring different issues and make a difference.

It sounds very insular when I say I want to make a difference. But in 12 years I hope that I have made a difference to a little girl or to a little man, or to a grown-up woman; some kind of difference. And I do think there is ample space - ample, ample, ample space - for really kick-ass talk show hosts.

I have no doubt that they are there. I know that they are there. They just need to be given a chance.


And then the last question, do you yet know how you will say goodbye or who your last guest will be?
Noeleen: Oh my gosh I don't know! Oooh. Now that is going to be so bad. When I say goodbye the last day [20 April at 16:00 on SABC3]. I have no idea. I have no idea, Thinus. But I hope you'll be there.


Well, we will definitely all be watching. Is there maybe a favourite final guest?
Noeleen: I don't know. It's still how many weeks away? We really haven't decided. But it will be a very fun show. That's all I can say. It has to be a fun show. I haven't been fired. There's no acrimony with anyone. It's going to be a beautiful bye-bye.


ALSO READ: An appreciation: From construction company receptionist to talker: What Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu's TV triumph really means to us.

BREAKING. Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu on 3Talk ending 20 April: 'After giving it a lot of thought, I had decided to hang up my 3Talk shoes'.

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Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu of Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 stunned her TV audience on Monday afternoon at the top of the hour by telling her viewers that she is ending it after 13 years because she decided to bring the show to a close.

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu stressed that she was not fired, but decided to "hang up my 3Talk shoes".

Three Talk with Noeleen has been, and remains, South African television and the public broadcasters only local daily TV talk show, and was in that sense unique.

No other free-to-air TV channel or pay-TV channel in South Africa has a local TV talk show running with new episodes five days a week, and Three Talk with Noeleen saw several morning, afternoon and even late night attempts at weekly talk shows on public and pay-TV come and go during her past 12 years on the air.

Insiders told TV with Thinus earlier on Monday that an announcement would be made on Monday's show.

While tabloids said that Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu was fired and cancelled, insiders told me earlier on Monday that Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu - turning 48 this year - was getting tired of the daily grind of the show.

Three Talk with Noeleen has seen it moved to several different timeslots over the past decade, with various set, format changes and hair styles over the years.

In the end it was Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu's decision to walk away and end it.

"After coming to you live every afternoon live for 12 years, the show will be ending on 20 April," said Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu on Monday afternoon, making the announcement the moment after the opening title played.

"After giving it a lot of thought, I let SABC know early last year that I had decided to hang up my 3Talk shoes and bring this amazing adventure to an end at the end of this season. The botton line is I was not fired. Do not say it again," said Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu shaking her head.


There's been no announcement from the SABC or SABC3 regarding Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu's departure and neither SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago nor SABC TV head publicist Zandile Nkonyeni responded to any media enquiries during the day on Monday seeking confirmation and comment on the talk show host's decision.

Three Talk with Noeleen is produced by Urban Brew in Johannesburg.

At the end of 2013 and in early 2014 Three Talk with Noeleen also unexpectedly went into hiatus and shut down production, with viewers who had to watch repeats for months and wondered what is happening behind the scenes and where Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu went.

The show restarted on 8 April 2014.

It was before this return - early in 2014 - where there was no explanation about what had happened to the show - that Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu decided to re-up for one more season to continue to do the daily talk show for one more year but to end it after that.

The announcement regarding the end of Three Talk with Noeleen was supposed to have been made on the talk show by Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu on 27 February - but didn't happen.

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu during her live on-air announcement on Monday at 16:00 acknowledged that the show got the timing wrong.

Just after her announcement on Monday afternoon SABC3 issued a statement at 16:15.

"When we started the show, I could never have imagined that we would have such an enduring relationship with our viewers," said Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu in the press statement.

"I've had the most fabulous 12 years on 3Talk. It's been an amazing adventure which has brought so much fun and meaning into my life, but after a lot of thought, I think it's time for me to bid farewell".

"We are sincerely grateful to Noeleen for her incessant support, commitment and professionalism over the last 12 years," says Aisha Mohamed, SABC3's channel head.

Noeleen has moved, inspired and empowered our viewers through the many episodes of 3Talk. It is the end of an era."

Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 will be replaced by a new lifestyle magazine show from the end of April.

Successful multi-year TV talker usually announce their departure at the beginning of their final season but for some reason the SABC, Urban Brew and Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu waited far too late, pushed it too late and then, as she said "got the timing wrong".

A timeous announcement when talk shows end helps to boost ratings and gives producers the chance to plan flashback episodes and vintage clips from the vaults, and gives proper time to not only plan a farewell show, but to round up celebrities for showstopping performances, as well as goodbye clips.

It will be interesting to see what Three Talk with Noeleen can put together in the time that is now left.

SABC silent over the reported cancellation of Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 after 13 years.

 

The SABC is silent over the reported cancellation of Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 after 13 years - South African television's only local weekday TV talk show.

3Talk on SABC3 with Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu has reportedly been canned, with March which will apparently be the last month on air for the longrunning TV talk show.

According to an insider however the show isn't cancelled but it is Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu who has decided to step away from the talk show since she's been getting tired of the daily grind after 13 years.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago and SABC TV head of publicity Zandile Nkonyeni didn't immediately return calls on Monday seeking confirmation and comment regarding the fate of the afternoon talk show produced by Urban Brew.

At the end of 2013 and in early 2014 Three Talk with Noeleen also unexpectedly went into hiatus and shut down production, with viewers who had to watch repeats for months and wondered what is happening behind the scenes and where Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu went.

Neither the SABC, SABC3, or the production company offered viewers and the public any explanation as to what was going on. Three Talk with Noeleen suddenly resumed months later with new episodes from 8 April 2014.

It now seems as if the talk show which is once again nearing April will not see another year after that.

According to insiders "Noeleen isn't cancelled", telling me that "Noeleen has just been getting tired".

"There is a plan to address whatever the situation is on an episode of Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 itself as soon as possible - perhaps even on Monday - so viewers should probably just watch the show itself. SABC executives or an SABC executive could appear soon to talk directly with Noeleen about whatever is happening," said an insider.

Noeleen Maholwana Sangqu 'so excited' about brand-new 13th season of Three Talk with Noeleen starting today at 16:00 on SABC3.

Noeleen Maholwana Sangqu "is so excited about going live again" insiders say about the new season of Three Talk with Noeleen, South Africa's only local, hour long and live, weekday television talk show starting again today in the new timeslot of 16:00 on SABC3.

"The studio is her home as it is to everyone who works on the show," insiders at the Urban Brew production told TV with Thinus today as the production gets ready to broadcast the first live episode of the new 13th season on SABC3 at 16:00.

"It's a homecoming for us today," said one. "Noeleen is very excited about kicking off the new season," said an insider.

Three Talk with Noeleen went into an unusual repeat cycle for months since the end of 2013 with no explanation from SABC3 as to why or when a new season would start.

It gave rise to various rumours - from Noeleen Maholwana Sangqu leaving the show, being in ill health, possible contractual problems, and Three Talk being cancelled - none of which is true.

Insiders told TV with Thinus "there were a lot of rumours but there was nothing going on behind the scenes". "There's no issued with the SABC," said one.

"The show is carrying on as normal. There was never an issue," said an insider. "There's been a relationship of 11 years. There is a good relationship between the SABC and the talk show," added a source.

The live studio audience concept which was introduced a while back on Three Talk with Noeleen will remain but for special occasions where it is appropriate, insiders tell TV with Thinus.

A studio audience will be included on Three Talk shows where "there is something for the audience to take out - if there is a special performer in or a show that allows for studio audience participation".

There also won't be any set changes for the new season.

Regular faces like Sharon Glass and other Three Talk guests - the "core regulars" as they're referred to - the people who viewers have come to know and trust, will be back and the weekday talker will be introducing some new ones later in the year.

"They're part of that show's family; that won't change," quipped an insider.

Three Talk with Noeleen will remain heavily integrated with social media during the weekday talk show which is done live - and which today's first new episode will be.

"Live interaction has become very much a part of the show's format," said a studio insider. "People can't always get through on the telephone lines. Twitter is a great way for the audience to be a part of the conversation that is happening in studio".

TV with Thinus also reached super producer Joanne Lurie by telephone this morning.

"Really this season is all about being current and relevant and fresh," said the senior producer on the show.

"We're sticking with a lot of celebrity profiling but we will also be continuing with the conversations which are happening nationally. Anything that's relevant to the people of the country we carry forward as a conversation," she said when asked what awaits in the 13th season.

"We're a talk show, so a lot of entertainment but we will remain current and relevant and will be discussing what will be happening on the day. We want Three Talk with Noeleen to be a place for South Africa to continue the conversation, whatever that conversation happens to be".

Also asked about the set, Joanne Lurie also confirmed that the set will remain as it is. "We feel that it is the right environment for Three Talk at the moment. And you know, if its not broken, don't fix it. The set is really working".

"It's very important for us, after being on air for many years, to constantly be fresh. It's important for us to never get stale. It is important to stay relevant. We always want the show to be fresh," said Joanne Lurie.

"The show is a challenge for us and it is fun and we love it and we never get bored of it and it is a lot of fun for us to be starting the new season".

A terrific Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 allows the Isidingo cast and crew to reflect in an amazing way on the soap turning 15 years old.

Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 on Friday with the cast and crew of Isidingo, SABC3's weekday soap which is turning 15 years old, was hugely revealing.

The arresting, extremely revealing and insightful Three Talk with Noeleen hour on SABC3 was thanks in a huge part to talk show host Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu's very frank, very straight-forward, very engaging, intelligent, open-ended and very real questions.

Where Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu sometimes comes across as over-rehearsed with too scripted questions or looking like she is parroting control room questions through her earpiece, the Isidingo episode on Friday came across as "true Noeleen".

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu asked real questions which real viewers wanted to know, and which opened the studio guests from Isidingo up to really give insightful and interesting answers in an amazing way.

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu lived herself in to such a degree with Friday's topic and guests that she even called Robert Whitehead "Barker" - his character's name - before apologising later.

It was a clear clue that Noeleen Maholwana Sangqu subconsciously - just like millions of viewers - has come to equate his image with the name Barker. It's something which only happens when you actually really watch a TV show in which the characters make a very strong impression.

It was clear that Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu herself watches Isidingo.

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu asked several real and want-to-know but "difficult" questions which made the Isidingo cast and crew on the beige couches squirm and didn't yield definitive answers - from whether Isidingo is going to have a 15th birthday party, to where is Cherel (Michelle Botes)?

Noeleen Maholwana even asked about the difficult subject - still a deeply emotional issue for the Isidingo cast - about Ashley Callie, the actress who shockingly died in a car-crash in February 2008. ("I miss her dreadfully. It's never ever been quite the same for me," said Robert Whitehead.)

It allowed the Isidingo guests to share extremely heartfelt stories and moments and to give a real glimpse behind-the-scenes of not the show - but the tightly-knitted "family" the Isidingo cast and crew really is.

"How do you deal behind the scenes and creatively with an actor who's been on the show and says I don't want to be here anymore?" asked Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu. It was an amazing question - and one of the many surprising, real and 'wow journalism' questions from the talk show host who was on a roll and didn't hold back.

"Oh gosh, we've had a couple of those," exclaimed Pumla Hopa, the executive producer of Isidingo. "You know we've written the story already, it's ready to shoot, and the person comes and says, 'look I have other plans.' "

"And you beg and beg and beg. But when they've made their decision they've made their decision. There's nothing else you can do. Now you have to go back and rewrite the story," said Pumla Hopa.

"It's very challenging. It can be fun," said Liam Stratton, Isidingo's head writer, "creating solutions for problems. It's fun and it's part of what makes the job cool and really worth doing. But when you've got three month's of story and you have to go back and unpick ... Because if you write the story correctly, it's all interconnected."

"So as soon as you start to pick at one bit, the whole things pulls apart. So you have to set it all up again," said Liam Stratton. "It can work really well - but it's just a pain."

Later Arno Marais who plays Benjamin le Roux said he's been with Isidingo for three and a half years and not been bored one day.

Thema Sebopedi who portrays Lerato Tsotetsi on Isidingo said she doesn't mind her fans thinking and expecting her to be Lerato when they run into her. "I don't blame them. It's who they meet in their living rooms every day. I have to meet them half way and tolerate it irrespective of how I'm feeling on any given day."

Isidingo director Stembiso Mathenjwa revealed how Isidingo is able to work in additional scenes (called "transmission scenes" to make an episode the exact duration required for playout) on a particular day to bring in current-to-the-day news events such as cricket scores and the exact petrol price hike into the show.

Isidingo delivers new scenes to the SABC for playout on the same day on those days where they knew beforehand news events will be taking place.

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu now hawking new Ariel washing powder; putting her credibility on the line in an ad already fuzzing the truth.

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu, the weekday talk show host of Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 at 16:35 is now putting her credibility on the line, shilling in TV commercials for the new Ariel washing powder.

There's already a credibility problem right from the beginning of the Ariel TV advert. Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu's first words are: "I came across this flyer. It's from a new washing powder called Ariel that's now available in South Africa." Really? Came across it? And a flyer on carton?

Why does the man in the white coat speaking with a thick German accent to come across as a scientist, appear to have had his voice dubbed? Weird.

At the same time two of the 7de Laan soap on SABC2's actors/characters are also appearing in a cleaning product's TV commercial, although they appear as their characters, making the possible impact on their personal credibility somewhat less should a consumer feel that the product is perhaps not working as they expected or were led to believe.

As all celebrities, TV personalities have to be very careful - especially when they hold a certain position, perceived media credibility or aspirational status - as to what commercial products they endorse, adverts they appear in and what impact that brand has on their own brand as a person.

Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 to talk to more favourite South Africans, telling their stories 'like never before'.

The next three months on Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 will be filled with even more information, inspiration and entertainment, says Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu, the host of the longrunning local weekday talk show on SABC3.

After an absence during the latter part of last year, Three Talk with Noeleen and Noeleen Mahlowana-Sangqu was back at SABC3's latest regular quarterly press screening with its usual video message to TV critics, journalist, writers and advertisers about what the Urban Brew produced afternoon talk show has in store the next few months.

"We will continue to bring you a variety of shows to lift your spirits, make you laugh, help you to impress family and friends with your culinary genius, motivate you, and inspire you to overcome any obstacles you may face," said Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu.

"We'll be keeping our regular appointments with the doctors on Mondays, we'll carry on debating some of the hottest current topics in the country, and in-between we'll be discussing the issues which are shaping your life or are weighing on your mind."

"We'll also be chatting to lots more of your favourite South Africans, giving you the opportunity to get to know them a little better - whether it be comedians, entertainers, sportsmen, moguls or musicians, you'll hear their story like never before. You can't afford to miss my phenomenal guests every day on SABC3 at 16:35. Do join me!"

BREAKING. Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 finally adds a studio audience; dumps its white set for another new one after just a year.

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Three Talk with Noeleen, SABC3's weekday talk show with Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu has finally - and suddenly - added a live studio audience on Tuesday at the same time as it unceremoniously dumped its new white set and unexpectedly replaced its red and white on-air imaging with translucent blue.

Neither SABC3 nor Urban Brew Studios which produces the daily chatfest for the channel made any announcement about the addition of a live studio audience and also didn't announce the new set.

The new set, still by Michael Gill Designs and constructed by Sets Drapes Screens has now returned to a more claustrophobic look as seen in some previous years, with the Three Talk with Noeleen set now having a dark-toned, fake mahogany and circular aquamarine look with bland tan wall panelling.

The back panels are interspersed with a faux aquamarine swirl design and an overhead perspex blue neon sign with the show's logo has been added. A shaggy carpet has been added although the square glass coffee table has been retained as well the concave raised corner - possibly the same white one now just given a mahonagy coloured tint.

Studio audience seating - 18 seats in total although some seats were embarrassingly shown as empty with cushions towards the end of Tuesday's episode - are the same light tan colour as the two new main couches.

As far back as December 2009 TV with Thinus has reported about Urban Brew Studios' attempt to add a live studio audience to Three Talk with Noeleen, plans which constantly got scuppered and postponed.

The studio audience - the seating arrangement very strangely placed perpendicularly to the raised dais on which Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu and her interviewees are seated (as if they're supposed to be part of an "on-stage play" together with the talk show host, as opposed to being onlookers) clapped and some were given a handheld cordless microphone to ask questions.

Urban Brew Studios told TV with Thinus that Three Talk with Noeleen will now be hosting a weekly studio audience. "There won't be a set day for this as we will determine which shows will include audiences depending on the subject of the day. We want the audience to have a fantastic experience so we'll ensure that when they do join us in studio, they'll be in for a treat with great entertainment, inspiration and information."

Viewers and fans of Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 who want to be a part of the in-studio audience can send email to 3talkinfo@urbanbrew.co.za in order to be included as studio audience members in upcoming shows.

About the new set and on-air look Urban Brew Studios tell me that "in the world of live TV, nothing should be permament. We're always tweaking, developing and striving to better our show."

"After 9 years on TV, we never want to get too comfortable, so we always see Three Talk as a work in progress. Yesterday we went on air with a new look that reflects where we're at right now. It's sophisticated and clean with a touch of sparkle. It provides us with more space, and of course, the fantastic opportunity to have a live audience."

Regarding the sudden set change after just a year, Urban Brew Studios says that "the same way our content is always evolving, our set should too".

"Although we loved our white set, it had been 13 months and it was time for a little makeover. Our new look, like our subject matter, reflects current trends. Our wide variety of looks over the past 9 years shows that we aren't afraid to move with the times and change things up and we hope to continue to keep surprising our viewers for years to come."

BREAKING. Noeleen gets testy with Tats Nkonzo on Three Talk when he asks about where she went to school.

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The situation suddenly became very testy between Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu and the South African comedian Tats Nkonzo on her Three Talk with Noeleen talk show on Tuesday on SABC3 when he turned the tables on her and she flat-out refused to play along and answer his question, branding Tats Nkonzo's interview as "impossible".

Tuesday's Three Talk with Noeleen became suddenly heated when what was supposed to be a normal interview, became a big sparring match between the talk show host and the comedian which threatened to derail the live broadcast. The trouble started when Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu mentioned that Tats Nkonzo grew up in the Eastern Cape province and mentioned in passing that she went to school in East London.

"Which school?" asked Tats Nkonzo innocently. "Cambridge?"

"This is about you darling," retorted a haughty Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu. "This is about Tats. It's not about Noeleen" - and then, clearly exasperated to her audience as she lifted her right hand: "What have we ..."

But Tats Nkonzo has smelled blood in the water. "What! Why are you freaking out!? Where are you from?!" implored Tats Nkonzo with a raised voice.

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu relented. "John Bisseker High School in East London."

"I understand now why you are keeping quiet," said Tats Nkonzo. "No! But it's not about ... I mean, it's not about me. I don't think the audience wants to know about me," retorted Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu.

"You do realize you're a celebrity?" heckled Tats Nkonzo.

"Okay. Back to you Tats. Back to you Tats. This is getting impossible! I mean, really!" exclaimed an exasperated Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu.

"Who else has a talk show now at this time?" asked Tats Nkonzo. "You're like number one. You realize that?"

"Listen, superstar. Do you want this talk show? Do you want to be sitting here?" asked Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu. "You've got a personality on you! You really do."


ALSO READ: Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 finally suddenly adds a live studio audience; dumps its new white set for another new one after just a year.

BREAKING. A livid Noeleen on SABC3 lashes out at a meddling ex mother-in-law.

A visibly livid Noeleen Maholwana Sangqu just lashed out at a viewer's ex mother-in-law, chiming in with her own advice on Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 with some choice words for the meddling grandmother making a woman's life hell.

Noeleen Maholwana Sangqu, with her regular panel of experts on her couch in the Tuesday episode of her weekday talk show at 16:35 gave a tongue-lashing of note to a medding ex mother-in-law.

It started when Noeleen Maholwana Sangqu read out the letter from a woman with a child begging for help, saying that her ex mother-in-law "who calls me all the time and to tell me that I'm a very bad mother, and that I should be ashamed, that I'm abandoning such a young baby. I feel that all I'm doing is for the baby. Now I can't decided if I should go or stay."

"You know what," started Noeleen, "I think that youe ex mother-in-law really is something else. Because you're ex mother-in-lawnever said to her son "Why are you abandoning a woman that you made pregnant? Who you left at 5 months pregnant? Your mother-in-law didn't say anything then? Did she?" said Noeleen. "Now she's talking about abandoning. Anyway ..." and Noeleen sat back looking at her panel, "I'm not the expert."

The experts on Three Talk with Noeleen all agreed with the talk show host. 

"You know what, at the end of the day your son and this woman made this baby," continued Noeleen Maholwana Sangu as she looked straight into the camera. "Your son was very, very present and I don't see anything wrong with him looking after the child during the week, and she comes back over weekends. I see nothing wrong with that."