Carte Blanche's Devi Sankaree Govender spends time with Trevor Noah in New York this Sunday before his latest South African stand-up tour.

Carte Blanche anchor Devi Sankaree Govender visits Trevor Noah in New York this Sunday evening at 19:00 on M-Net (DStv 101) before the stand-up comedian's latest visit next week for live shows in Durban and Johannesburg.

Devi Sankaree Govender flew to New York where Trevor Noah now lives, for another extended 90-minute Carte Blanche episode this Sunday evening on M-Net.

Devi interviews the comedian while she also gets to spend time with the 33-year old on the set of The Daily Show, his weekday faux news show broadcast on Comedy Central Africa (DStv 122).

Trevor Noah gives Devi Sankaree Govender and Carte Blanche a peek behind the scenes of his life in The Big Apple before his latest South African tour.

Next week Trevor Noah is back in South Africa, doing public stand-up performances in Johannesburg on 9, 10 and 11 August at The Ticketpro Dome, and on Sunday 13 August in Durban at the ICC.

Besides Trevor Noah, Carte Blanche also got an interview with the respected ANC member of parliament, Dr Makhosi Khoza who have been facing death threats and intimidation for speaking out about corruption and state capture.

Carte Blanche also looks at waste-free living. When the garbage collector comes to Bea Johnson’s home in California, there’s always nothing to collect. Dubbed “The Priestess of Waste-Free Living”, her family of four astonishingly generate just a single glass jar of rubbish every year.

Carte Blanche's Bongani Bingwa and producer Carol Albertyn-Christie decided to find out how she does it. finds out how she does it.

E! orders and films special Keeping Up with the Kardashians 10-year anniversary special with Ryan Seacrest.

E! Entertainment (DStv 124) has ordered and filmed a special Keeping Up with the Kardashians 10-year anniversary special to reflect on the American reality family's decade on television.

A broadcasting date for the 90-minute TV special in South Africa and Africa on E! on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform isn't known yet, but in America it will be shown on E! on 24 September just before the start of the reality show's 14th season on 1 October.

The Kardashians 10-Year Anniversary Special has Ryan Seacrest as the presenter whose Ryan Seacrest Productions has also been producing the reality show together with Bunim/Murray Productions over the past decade.

In the talk show type special filmed before alive studio audience, Ryan Seacrest sits down with Kris, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall, Kylie and Scott Disick to reflect on the past decade and delve into what it's been like for the family to live all their triumphs and hardships in front of the camera.

"Since the show's inception 10 years ago, viewers have watched the family evolve, grow and become a huge part of today's pop culture zeitgeist," says Jeff Olde, E!'s executive vice president for programming and development in a statement.

"In celebrating the family's decade on the air, we are extremely grateful for the fans all over the world who have 'kept up' since the beginning."

In the 14th season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians that doesn't yet have a starting date on E! for South Africa/Africa, viewers will see Kim debate removing herself from the spotlight to focus on her family after she was robbed at gunpoint in Paris.

"From backyard camping and wine tasting in Santa Barbara to jet-setting to Mexico for birthday shenanigans, the family is determined to get back to basics, but not without some challenges along the way," says E!.

Donovan Goliath steps in as replacement of Phat Joe as permanent new co-host on SABC1's The Real Goboza.

After a guest stint try-out the comedian Donovan Goliath has been roped in as the new permanent presenter of The Real Goboza on SABC1 after the sudden exit of Phat Joe.

Phat Joe (real name Majota Khambule) and the SABC first said his break from RGB would be temporary as he jumped to pay-TV to present M-Net's Take Me Out Mzansi dating game show on VUZU AMP (DStv 103). The show is the revived Take Me Out South Africa format show from Rapid Blue that used to be on SABC1.

The temporary break from SABC1's Saturday evening lifestyle and entertainment magazine show however became a permanent exit as the SABC and Phat Joe, who had presented RGB for 7 years, publicly announced a week and a half ago that the presenter is leaving by "mutual decision" and won't be back.

Donovan Goliath is now joining co-presenter Sinazo Yolwa on RGB after a stint on the short-lived TV guide show The 101 on M-Net.

"I'm really looking forward to bringing my own unique style and a new energy to the show. Aweh!," says Donovan Goliath in a statement.

"We're thrilled to We’re thrilled to officially welcome Donovan to the RGB family and we believe that he will use his talent to ensure RGB reaches new heights," says Sydney Mekgwe-Sitsila, producer of the Urban Brew Studios' show.

"I'm looking forward to seeing an already outstanding presenter continue to grow and develop."

Zandile Nkonyeni, SABC TV head publicist, says the public broadcaster is "excited to have Donovan joining the RGB and the SABC1 family. We are confident that he will elevate the show with his unique ability to connect with guests and resonate with viewers through his humour, insight and charisma".

DStv Media Sales now offering 25% bonus airtime to qualifying small agencies as part of price fixing fine settlement.

DStv Media Sales is now offering 25% bonus airtime on MultiChoice's DStv TV channels for every R1 airtime bought by qualifying small agencies.

The offering comes as part of the settlement DStv Media Sales, the advertising sales arm of MultiChoice, reached with the Competition Commission over DStv Media Sales R180 million fine for price fixing over practices that DStv Media Sales isn't engaged in anymore.

MultiChoice will also pay R8 million to the Economic Development Fund (EDF) over three years, to help develop black-owned small media or advertising agencies requiring assistance with start-up capital and help black students requiring bursaries to study media or advertising.

The 25% bonus airtime offer will run for 3 years from 27 July 2017, on a first-come, first-served basis.

In order to qualify, DStv Media Sales says agencies must have a turnover in billings of less than R50 million per year that must be confirmed by either independent external auditors or independent accounting practitioners, and be majority black owned as defined in the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 and the relevant BBBEE Codes.

Ag agencies must provide adequate proof of its BBBEE status before the bonus airtime will be granted.

Ad agencies who qualify and who want to book airtime can contact Leanne Katemba at DStv Media Sales at 011 329 5537 and leanne.katemba@dstvmedia.com

Rhythm City actor Dumi Masilela dead after car hijacking incident in Tembisa, was shot at while driving with a friend.

The Rhythm City actor and singer, Dumi Masilela (29) is dead with the e.tv actor who died after a car hijacking incident in Tembisa on Wednesday night.

According to police spokesperson Kay Makhubele, Dumi Masilela and his friend were shot at while driving on Wednesday night.

Dumi Masilela in a white Golf 7 at 20:00 on Wednesday night was approached by a black Jeep  -registration number unknown -  that attempted to hijack them.

When they drove off, the hijackers shot towards them. Dumi Masilela was shot in the upper body; they drove off, the friend took over the driving, and took him to hospital.

According to Kay Makhubele, the friend rushed Dumi Masilela to hospital where he died on Thursday morning.

The police is investigating a case of attempted hijacking as well as murder.

The actor who got married in late May to Muvhango actress Simphiwe Ngema, played the role of the street kid Sifiso Ngema since his first appearance in the soap in January 2013.

Following Dumi Masilela's death, TVwithThinus learnt that Rhythm City production completely shut down on Thursday morning with no filming taking place, with the cast and crew in shock.

The Quizzical Pictures produced soap just celebrated the weekday soap's 10th anniversary with a big party two weeks ago and has now been plunged into mourning.

No filming will be taking place for today or Friday, with production that will only resume after the weekend.

e.tv confirmed that “production [on the soap] has wrapped for today and tomorrow”.

The Rhythm City cast and crew will be offered and undergoing trauma counselling once production resumes.

Dumi Masilela's soccer career at SuperSport United got sidelined after a car accident and after three years of rehabilitation he entered the 8th season of M-Net's reality singing competition Idols in 2012 where he made it to the Top 18.

In a statement e.tv says "It is with great sadness that e.tv confirms the passing of Dumi Masilela. He passed in hijacking on Wednesday 2 August. Dumi played the role of Sifiso on Rhythm City for the past 5 years. e.tv sends their condolences to Dumi's family, friends and Rhythm City colleagues".

The minister of arts and culture, Nathi Mthethwa in a tweet said "we send our sincere condolences to Dumi Masilela's wife Simphiwe Ngema, his family, friends & colleagues. You are in our thoughts & prayers."

M-Net apologises for trans-shaming of Idols contestant on Mzansi Magic: 'Judges' dialogue was an attempt to understand the contestant's identity'.

M-Net is apologising to DStv subscribers for Idols' on-air transgender shaming that kicked off the latest episode of the reality singing competition on Mzansi Magic when the judges and presenter mocked a contestant and showed viewers how to make fun out of guessing what gender someone might be.

M-Net says it "apologises unreservedly for any offence the comments may have caused".

The pay-TV broadcaster's apology comes after the [SIC] Entertainment produced show of the FremantleMedia format that is currently in its 13th South African season, kicked off Sunday night's episode with an episode-opener audition by Arshen Madlopha (22).

In a body-wrapping purple dress and matching purple high heels, the contestant traveled all the way from the small timber producing town of Piet Retief in Mpumalanga to audition for the show.

Unlike The Voice South Africa on M-Net (DStv 101) where the coaches have their backs turned to singers and judge them only on their vocal abilities, in Idols where it's also only the singing that's supposed to matter, the judges often have fun by judging appearances.

It was Arshen Madlopha's second try at Idols, and judge Unathi Msengana primed DStv subscribers watching, by perusing her notes and saying "It doesn't say if Ashen is a lady or a guy".

That is when Sunday night's episode of Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), executive produced by Gavin Wratten and ProVerb and covering the Johannesburg auditions, shocked viewers for how it trans-shamed contestant 11014.

"You're body is banging girl," judge Somizi Mhlongo, who happens to be gay, told Arshen Madlopha. "Walk like a lady."

Once the contestant had left the audition room, the whispering started.

"Is it a girl or boy?" asked a perplexed Idols guest judge Kelly Khumalo who was roped in to judge singing talent for the episode but who couldn't be bothered to ask the actual contestant directly.

"Boy," said Somizi.

"No, it's a girl," countered a surprised Unathi Msengana.

"It's a boy," said an adamant Randall Abrahams. "There was action," he said, motioning his Adam's apple. "I am confused, but it's such a beautiful boy though," said Kelly.

They all laughed heartily and fun was had by all speculating whether the contestant who sang Beyonce's "Halo" is really male or female.

Outside ProVerb, whose real name is Tebogo Thekisho and doubles as presenter, deadpanned by added another zinger: "Arshen had let both the ladies and the guys down."

It's not clear why Sphumelele Sibeko, M-Net's head of reality and entertainment and Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director for local entertainment signed off on the trans-shaming content and okay-ed it for broadcast.

After [SIC] Entertainment producers failed to ask the contestant's gender and left it to the judges to speculate as a funny joke for Mzansi Magic viewers, Lindiwe Dlhamini, founder of Injabulo Anti-Bullying Project (IABP), called on Idols and the judges to apologise to Arshen Madlopha.

TVwithThinus asked M-Net what Mzansi Magic's view is when it comes to media shaming of transgender people and the bullying of people as it relates to gender and gender issues, and why people in power - supposed TV role models - are making fun by mining what gender someone belongs to for comedy.

Is this something Mzansi Magic endorses and why did Idols do this?

"South African Idols has a history supporting the LGBTQIA community, a fact which is illustrated in the make-up of the Top 16 over the past few seasons, our judging panel," says M-Net in response.

"In respect of this specific case, the Idols judges were judging the contestant's voice."

"All contestants are treated equally and judged on their singing, irrespective of who they are, where they come from or what their orientation is."

"The judges' dialogue was an attempt to understand the contestant’s identity and was not intended to offend, however we apologise unreservedly for any offence the comments may have caused."

It's not clear why the Idols judges in their attempt to understand the contestant's gender identity didn't ask the contestant or the show's producers.

SABC appoints Graham Welch as acting general manager for TV to temporarily replace Maijang Sam Mpherwane who left.

The SABC has appointed Graham Welch as the acting general manager for TV to temporarily replace Maijang Sam Mpherwane who has had enough and left the SABC at the end of July.

The SABC made no public announcement of Graham Welch's appointment to temporarily head up the SABC's television division.

Graham Welch is the SABC's general manager for editorial policy.

Graham Welch has now been appointed acting GM for TV, but is actually currently busy touring South Africa on a listening tour through various provinces to interact with people about the SABC's editorial policies that urgently needs to be updated.

Since August the SABC's already struggling TV division is even more rudderless, lacking the full focus of two permanent executives in the beleaguered public broadcaster's two top TV positions.

Nomsa Philiso, appointed the SABC's TV boss in August 2016 in the highest ranking TV position is now serving as acting SABC CEO, with Maijang Sam Mpherwane who served in the second highest position who is gone.

The leadership vacuum within the SABC's TV division once again leaves South Africa's TV industry fearful and wondering about what's happening at the public broadcaster.

The SABC is struggling with various massive challenges ranging from falling TV ratings and diminishing audience share to being unable to pay all local South African producers and content suppliers.

Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry asks if there's a law firm willing to sue 'outrageous' ANN7 and MultiChoice for 'broadcasting lies' on DStv.

The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry is asking whether there is a law firm willing to sue ANN7 (DStv 405) and MultiChoice that is carrying the controversial "Gupta news" channel on its DStv satellite pay-TV platform.


ALSO READ: MultiChoice chairperson Nolo Letele says DStv doesn't have control over ANN7.

In an open letter, Janine Myburgh, president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that "the issue of DStv broadcasting the outrageous ANN7 'news' channel raises the broader question of the responsibility of the new forms of media for the content they publish".

"(A feeble defence, DStv, July 27). If, for instance, I write a seriously defamatory letter about an individual or company and Business Day publishes the letter, the victim will sue both me and Business Day. And rightly so."

"If ANN7 defames Pravin Gordhan, he should be in a position to sue both ANN7 and DStv for propagating the defamation."

"The Facebook situation is even worse. It accepts no responsibility for content provided free by the public and, as we know, there has been some vile material on social media."

"Similarly, Gordhan should be able to sue Bell Pottinger, its directors and Facebook for the damage done to his good name."

"Making the situation worse is that social media is drawing advertisers away from the legitimate and responsible media, which do check facts, employ professionals and perform a service vital to any healthy democracy."

"The situation in which a media company allows itself to be used to broadcast lies and insults has continued for too long."

"Is there a law firm out there that is prepared to sue both the defamers and social media or DStv?
There is a reputation to be made here.

Janine Myburgh
President, Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry

eNCA adds new John Perlman talk show, Under the Skin on Wednesdays at 21:30 with veteran radio presenter talking to famous South Africans.

The veteran radio talk show host John Perlman has joined eNCA (DStv 403) for a new late night TV talk show Under the Skin starting tonight at 21:30 with a next-day repeat on Thursdays at 09:30.

The veteran journalist and Kaya FM presenter who also exposed the SABC's infamous "blacklisting" scandal while he worked at the public broadcaster's SAfm radio station, will be talking to well-known South Africans in his new eNCA TV talk show.

In the first few episodes the veteran broadcaster's guests will include Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, minister Lindiwe Sisulu and HIV/Aids researcher Dr Glenda Gray.

"I'm honoured to join the best news team in television," says John Perlman. The thing about famous people is that we never know them as well as we think we do. On Under the Skin we will engage with prominent people about issues in the news in ways that also allow them to tell us something about who they are and how that shapes what they think and do."

"John Perlman has consistently shown his ability to have difficult and necessary national conversations, drawing South Africans out to tell their truth on their own terms," says Mapi Mhlangu, eNCA managing director.

"In the quest to get all of us to know more and judge less, eNCA believes that Under the Skin with John Perlman will allow South Africans to see some of our most controversial and contested and reviled personalities in a new light as full and complex human beings."