Top Billing (TV programme)
| Top Billing | |
|---|---|
 Top Billing logo | |
| Genre | lifestyle cuisine travel entertainment wedding home decor fashion celebrity |
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producers | Basetsana Khumalo, Patience Stevens |
| Production location | South Africa |
| Editor | Hayden Fortmann |
| Running time | 60 min. (approx.) |
| Production company | SABC3 |
| Original release | |
| Network | SABC3 DSTV:193 |
Top Billing is a South African lifestyle television programme that airs on SABC3 on Thursday evenings from 20:30 - 21:30 and repeats on Sunday at 12:00. It was founded by Basetsana Kumalo and Patience Stevens, who own the Tswelopele Production company. The show is the longest-running lifestyle programme in South Africa, broadcasting since 1996.[1] In addition to a variety of presenters, there is a voice-over guide throughout the programme. A magazine of the same name was launched in March 2004, containing similar content to the show.
Content
The weekly show genres in beauty, fashion, food, home decor, travel and weddings. Different local and international celebrities are interviewed each week and a designer home is featured as part of the show. International celebrities such as property tycoon Donald Trump's spouse, Ivana Trump, have been featured on the show, as well as Hollywood actor and Beverly Hills doctor, Dr. Rey. Local celebrities such as rugby player Bryan Habana, singer Tamara Dey and Muvhango actress Ntahbiseng Mphahlele have been given equal attention.[2] Popular events such as awards ceremonies and fashion runway shows are showcased. Presenters travel to locations around the world and often partake in exclusive activities such as sky-diving, skiing, and scuba-diving. Food and wine pairings are also presented, and exclusive weddings are attended.
Presenters
- Sinazo Cynthia Mini
- Jeannie D
- Bonang Matheba
- Janez Vermeiren
- Jonathan Boyton-Lee
- Lorna Maseko
- Ursula Chikane
- Aidan Bennetts
- Jo-Ann Strauss
- Michael Mol
- Dhiveja Sundrum [3]
- Nico Panagio
Past presenters
- Basetsana Khumalo
- Tumisho Masha
- Neil McCarthy
- Kelly Parkhurst
- Lyndall Jarvis
- Casey B Dolan
- Vanessa Haywood
- Natalie Becker
- Simba Mhere
- Jade Hubner
Voice-over artists
- Alex Jay
- Kevin Savage
- Phil Wright
Public opinion
People who dislike Top Billing base their hostility on the "questionable ethics" that "dressed presenters will sit down alone to a meal prepared for them in a luxurious setting. This in a country where people are going hungry.".[4] Others complain that the content featured in the lifestyle programme are unaffordable to the average viewer. On the contrary, Top Billing producers affirm that Top Billing is aimed at "giving South Africans hopes" that they too can achieve those luxuries that they see on the programme.[5]
Tswelopele Productions
Tswelopele Productions is a production company equally owned by Basetsana Kumalo and Patience Stevens.[6] After the success of Top Billing, Tswelopele has starting producing additional local productions such as Afrikaans lifestyle programme Pasella, SiSwati youth show Ses'khona, travel series Top Travel, Top Dogs and No Reservations.
Controversy
In 2009, Tswelopele staff members suffered a 10% wage cut for 7 months after Tswelopele waited for SABC to renew their contract. This was accompanied by an 8-day late salary payment, after the company had apparently spent R400 000 expanding their working premises.[7]
Competition
In 2009, M-Net launched a lifestyle programme that was similar in content to that of Top Billing. The M-Net show, All Access, was given the same time slot as Top Billing. Lani Lombard, M-Net's publicist, was reported saying that the show will be "fun-filled, unpretentious and we trust that many M-net viewers who have been watching Top Billing over the years will migrate to All Access".[8] Five seasons of the show were aired on M-Net before it was moved to one of M-Net's sister channels, Mzanzi Magic.[9]
External links
References
- ^ TVSA. "Basetsan Khumalo". Retrieved 14 April 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ billing, Top. "Top Billing". Retrieved 15 April 2011.
- ^ http://www.topbilling.com/
- ^ Onynski, Joyce. "Shittiest Tv programmes in South Africa". Timelive. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
- ^ Mammon, rafiek (5 May 2004). "Glitz, Glamour and guts". Star. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
- ^ http://www.topbilling.co.za/contact-us/tswelopele-productions.html%7Caccessdate=14 April 2011
- ^ Cohen, Lauren, Ndebele, Gabisile (9 Sep 2009). "Low billing, Working for Mahala". The Times. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Ndelebe, Gabisile (24 June 2009). "Mnet woes SAbc viewers". The Times. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
- ^ http://www.tvsa.co.za/showinfo.asp?showid=3577