Are you a television addict like me? Do you wake up and turn on the TV for no reason other than to have some background noise? I used to just turn on the TV as soon as I woke up each day, even when I was not going to watch. I liked the buzz. Programmes like NTA’s A.M Express used to brighten up my morning. As soon as the signature tune sounded, I usually perked up. AIT’s Kaakaki was also something to wake up to. Even the more issue/politics-oriented Sunrise Daily on Channels TV was something of a breath of fresh air. To tickle the brain.
Unfortunately, our a.m. TV is becoming more like serving fufu/pounded yam/tuwo; with fried plantain and yam as side orders, for breakfast. Nutritionists would tell you that apart from this not being the healthiest way to start the day, it’s a method that would overload your system so early in the day. But here we are running heavy on TV as soon as the cock crows.
Mind you, the programme choices are not the problem in themselves. It’s their (stiff), rather unimaginative treatment that’s the issue. We just like to sound serious even about everyday issues. Quite a few people still view TV as a place to sound off and be dressed just as stiffly. They equate being intellectual with using big (even if unrelated) words and sounding a particular way, just to appear mysterious to the layman.
Why do we have so many programmes in the morning with people talking up a storm, discussing the same issues, mouthing the same opinions? How many times have you listened to a so-called expert on TV and come away with new knowledge?
To top it off, there’s the money issue. I believe one of the reasons we see quite a few questionable guests on TV is because they have paid to appear. It’s also one of the reasons, apart from sheer ignorance, that even when there’s a burning issue to resolve, an interviewer would be pussyfooting around a guest while there are many follow-up questions begging to be asked. And in these testy times, where the fear of DSS is the beginning of wisdom (except you’re Magu), self-preservation propelled by fear is the way to go. So, we are almost condemned to journey men like Joe Igbokwe, coming on air to spew whatever they’ve been instructed to say, to insult anyone with their hosts, formerly known as journalists, looking on.
We do need some lightheartedness on breakfast TV. Living in Nigeria is serious enough!
COME AGAIN?
“The lecturers themselves need to checkmate themselves.”
-A Nigerian university undergraduate on the ASUU strike, Channels TV, Monday August 14, 2017, 10.05 pm-ish.
The trouble with Nigeria’s educational system jumps at you through this statement. This student may even be one of the brainier ones. I wish I could say the lecturers, the ASUU members who were on TV, were much better.
“We no longer rapour with them.”
“Ogolo and Akpi had sucided in raping all the girls in the community.”
“Without touch or lantan.”
He “woun’t listen.”
These quotes are all taken from the movie Mbaofesi, showing on the Africa Magic Igbo channel, Dstv 159. Mbaofesi is directed by Wilson Sunday, featuring Chiwetalu Agu, Stephen Alajemba and director, Wilson Sunday who also acted as the lead character, Sunny Bobo, alias German Sweet Boy.
Subtitling is something many indigenous films find difficult to do correctly. On one hand, you have those who do direct translation or transliteration. Then there are those who trying to show off, ‘over-translate.’ Those ones would translate something as simple as ‘go’ to “advance.”
THE VOICE NIGERIA
Syemca, out of Brother Chike’s shadow
The Battles in The Voice Nigeria (season 2) continued last Sunday on the Africa Magic Showcase channel, DStv 151. One of those battling to move to the live shows is Chukwuemeka (Syemca) Chike-Ezekpeazu, 25, elder brother of Chike, (Osebuka Chike-Ezekpeazu), first runner-up in The Voice Nigeria, season one. The debate has been on, in my house at least, as to who is a better singer between the Chike-Ezekpeazu brothers. My two teenage daughters, Ozioma and Akudo, have made a sharp shift from Chike to Syemca. Me, not so much. Not now that Chike is ‘killing it’ on the series, Battleground as Mayowa Bhadmus.
Anyway, the issue appears to have been settled, if temporarily. Last Sunday, Syemca battling Afolayan, (TeamPato) performed One Direction’s Drag Me Down.
Coach Patoranking chose Afolayan. On that night, the more forceful singers seemed to be having their way. But to everyone’s shock, all the coaches later attempted to steal Syemca, even Patoranking who had just passed him over for Afolayan. Syemca would go on to settle for Coach Yemi (Alade), which was a nice twist considering she was the first of the two coaches who turned for him in the Blind Auditions.
If Syemca ever had any doubts, he must now feel confident that he can hold his own where Brother Chike is concerned.
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