The local TV landscape has had a lot of success in several genres except comedy. Our reality TV shows are world class and the action dramas are also on the rise. Yet the comedy scene is, interestingly, not where we wish it was. We are not looking for something as funny as the incredible Friends or Family Matters, but we could come close.
In fact, a while back we had that, in the form of Suburban Bliss and Going Up, but that was a golden era and we have since lost it. We have had several comedy titles since then, but they do not really give us anything memorable.
Well, until Kota Life Crisis, a Mpho Osei-Tutu and Tumi Morake creation which follows a fragmented family of half-siblings who inherit their father’s home and tuckshop after his death. Burying their differences due to the harshness of life, the boys decide to make things work and their hilarious interactions will keep you in stitches. So you get a bunch of mismatched youngsters who have been thrust into the business world and have no excuse but to succeed.
The show features Thapelo Mokoena and Bongan Madondo who excel in their roles.
The success of Kota Life Crisis on the local TV comedy scene probably comes from the fact that it was created by the comedian couple Osei-Tutu and Morake through Whatnot Entertainment and Burnt Onion Productions.
We all love comedy and we all occasionally think we are funny, but the mistake some of us make is to think we can actually make a living off it. The rules of making a sitcom do not rely on stupid things like ad-libbing or reciting jokes from Google, it takes great scripting. The writing should not only be done by comedians, but by someone with a great sense of humour. An understanding of what makes things funny also helps because you will know when and how to structure a joke. And timing is everything.
If you have seen husband and wife Osei-Tutu or Morake on a stage, you will get why Kota Life Crisis works. Their material is original, well-articulated and current. It’s the stuff that you see in South Africa and they are not trying to copy Modern Family or Two And A Half Men. Without realising it, you are sunk in this realness and the comedy that comes with it is something you know.
A word of advice, if your friends tell you it’s funny then don’t believe them, but when they can’t speak because they are choking with laughter, you are on the right track.
• Kota Life Crisis airs every Friday at 7pm on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161).