WHEN it comes to innovation, especially in the reality TV arena, nothing can really top Vuzu. With its sister channel Vuzu Amp now showing Real Jozi A-Listers, you know there is a lot in store for reality TV lovers.
Real Jozi A-Listers is a type of reality show that is very new to South Africa. In it a bunch of South African celebrities make fun of themselves pertaining to the things that people usually have to say about them.
So you have Tol A$$ Mo, who is really funny, but dresses like he lives inside of an old pillow. Then there is Maps Maponyane, who has really made it, but we don’t know what “it” is that he’s good at. Trevor Gumbi is the party animal and Da Les is the stereotypical rapper.
Thumbs up to these men for agreeing to take a dig at themselves because we all know that in their line of work they need the ego to stay on top of their game.
“Vuzu was the first to come out with the reality television movement in South Africa and they continue to do more new things in that line. With mockumentaries growing across the world, it was the next step for the pioneering channel in South Africa,” said the show’s executive creative director, Graeme Swanepoel.
Given that the media write some sensitive things about people in the entertainment industry, just how much does Real Jozi A-Listers flirt with the sensitive truth?
“Maps, for example, is portrayed as a pretty boy in the media so we roll out with the stereotypes of the character. So Trevor is considered the party animal, the guy who drinks. We then play with those stereotypes that the public have. This, number one, makes the subject relatable, and two, it shows confidence in the individuals under the camera’s scope that they can actually poke fun at what people think about them.
“This is why I give the guys a lot of credibility and respect because they’re not running away from what people are saying, but are approaching it head on. It shows confidence in any one,” said Swanepoel.
For him, it’s one thing to have a good idea like this, but it also helps to have the people partaking in it be interested in making it work.
“The guys are open-minded and keen on pushing the boundaries. They know that the further you push the boundaries, the more people love it. At first there was a worry that the viewers would not realise that it is a mockumentary and think that it is a reality show. This is what happened and when the guys pushed it further, then people began to pick up that it isn’t real. We believe that if you are going to mock something, then rather go all the way with it,” he said.
Yes, it is only a few episodes in, but will we get a sophomore season?
“I am hoping so, yes. I think these four characters have a dynamic chemistry which is authentic so I would love to work with them in more seasons. People were sceptical at first, but they have acknowledged us. Vuzu is always trying to break boundaries rather than follow trends so I am sure after the success of this project, a lot of other titles of this kind will come out,” said Swanepoel.
• Catch The Real Jozi A-Listers on Vuzu AMP (DStv Channel 114) at 7pm every Friday.