Many of you out there are under the not unreasonable impression that Gino does nothing but sit and watch TV all day. This is not true, he also does actually do some work and in fact has just got back from a production shoot at the coast for an upcoming reality show. From pitch to production, concept to completion, Gino takes you through the whirlwi…

We all know Gino's stand on Tyler Perry, so you're maybe asking yourself WTF is going on with Beauty in Black? In this episode Gino gets into just what is happening with his latest TV offering. Oh the allure of the strip club! Are awards worth it, what do they actually mean? And what about the award ceremonies? The local Promax Awards get's its own…

"Hi I'm Magpie, like the bird..." says a distorted voice through a small hole in a wall. A wall in Arkham, the Batman world's infamous mental hospital. Why do you care? Because this voice is not your average American actress but that of our very own Marié Botha. In a link up to New York, Gino gets to chat to Pretoria born actress Marié Botha who pl…

Kelsey Egan is a multi-SAFTA nominated, American-South African writer, director and performer. She joins us all the way from London via Zoom and Gino got to talk about her latest work, the action sci-fi horror The Fix, which premieres on Showmax this Halloween. Kelsey grew up in Wisconsin, USA, where she learned to ride horses and value good weathe…

Social Media - for some a way of life, while for others, an uphill struggle to keep up with the constantly changing digital platforms. What to post, when to post it. What is SEO? Do I need it? How do I keep up? That's when you need a social media manager. This week finds Gino chatting to Tanya Maswaure, assistant lecturer at Gino's old alma mater, …

Finally, there is something to watch on the world’s biggest streamer! In this episode Gino tells it like it is about 5 surefire watch or don't watch titles on Netflix, plus a number of others that he has only started watching (so, a bit early to rate). The Menedez Brothers - In 1996, the Menendez brothers faced trial for killing their parents, a ca…

Shakespeare wrote "All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players", and we were lucky enough to get one of them for this episode. Gino spends time with actor, musician and dancer Anelisa Phewa, talking Shakespeare, philosophy and of course the gripping legal drama Law, Love & Betrayal, now streaming on Showmax. In Law, Love & Bet…

In S2 Episode 7, we reviewed what was new on Africa’s biggest streamer, Showmax. In S2 Episode 11, we checked out what NOT to watch on the world’s biggest streamer, Netflix. And, in this episode, Gino gives you the lowdown on what's on the world’s most ignored streaming platform, Disney. Free Guy - When Guy, a bank teller, learns that he is a non-p…

In this episode Gino (a past SAFTA Winner) takes a look at some of this year's nominees from the local film and television industry’s most prestigious event: the South African Film and Television Awards. Here are the categories covered, you have to listen to find out who the nominees are. 1. Best Achievement in Sound - Documentary Best Achievement …

Nothing on Netflix? - No, actually there's lots, but is it always worth it. In this episode Gino takes a trawl through what's good and what really isn't. Madame Web - Cassandra Webb is a New York metropolis paramedic who begins to demonstrate signs of clairvoyance. Wang In There, Baby! - Phil Wang riffs on reheated rice, octopus intelligence and th…

A new platform is in town and we want to know all about it. freevision provides an all-in-one streaming experience of current affairs, entertainment, sports, info-and-edutainment, live! and on demand. Keep up with your favourite tv channels and tune in to your loved radio stations from any internet enabled device at no subscription cost, no decoder…

Back on your screens in a big way is Vuyo Dabula, as Saul in The Butcher's Soul now on Showmax and Gino had the chance to catch up with the model-turned-actor. Vuyo had been off the scene for a while after being shot in 2022, but now he is back. He is most famous for his role of Kumkani Phakade in the SA soapie, Generations. Vuyo also appeared in A…

It being Women's month here in SA, Gino has been chatting to various ladies; this week it is the turn of Beáta Bena Green. Beáta is a South African actress, model, and entrepreneur. She was crowned Miss Teen South African 2013 but she is best known for playing Shady in the award winning South African Soapie, 7de Laan, Sienna in the international pr…

In this week's episode, Gino's bad knee forces him onto the couch where he gives you a run down of what shows and movies have just landed on Africa's biggest streamer. 016FM To save their community radio station from closing, two polar opposite DJs prepare to compete in a radical, live on-air program battle - unaware that a syndicate has infiltrate…

Staying with True Crime, this episode finds Gino chatting via Zoom to True Crime South Africa's creator and host Nicole Engelbrecht. Nicole's podcast delves into South African true crime cases, both solved and unsolved. She meticulously researches each case using media coverage, trial footage, social media sources, and often interviews individuals …

In this episode Gino continues with our link to Showmax's Catch Me A Killer, as he chats to the hit show's Production Designer, Warren Gray. Born in Cape Town, Warren earned a bursary while studying industrial design and qualified in 2000 at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He has since won multiple awards and was accepted into the British …

Many of us have heard of Art Therapy; using art to work through problems and issues, but how many of you know about Drama Therapy? In this episode Gino talks to Minenhle Msane who is busy studying for her Honours in Drama Therapy. The use of theatrical techniques to promote healing, foster change, and develop personal growth has been around since t…

Happy birthday to us, Happy birthday to us, Happy birthday African Couch Potato - the Mash-Up, Happy birthday to us. A year of lessons and laughing. A look back on the year that was and a look forward to the future. We also celebrate our very first nomination, and it's from across the continent. Our first nomination - we are finalists in the Africa…

This week's episode finds Gino sitting down with an actress who has gone through more roles than Connie Ferguson. Born of a Zulu mother and an Italian father in 1993, she was raised by her mother, who instilled in her a strong sense of self-worth and resilience. Angela Sithole has certainly made her mark on the South African film and TV landscape. …

Welcome to African Couch Potato season 2. In this episode Gino goes full fanboy as he gets the chance to chat to Dr Micki Pistorius, advisor for the TV adaptation of her autobiographical Catch Me a Killer. This hit true crime TV series is based on cases worked on by Micki in the 1990s in her role as forensic psychologist and South Africa's first po…

In 2021 the MultiChoice Talent Factory South Africa Scriptwriting Incubator hosted 12 interns who would be mentored by Tshedza Pictures in association with the Wits University Film & Television Department and included practical workplace experience over the course of 12 months, with a mixture of virtual and physical sessions. One of those interns w…

In this episode Gino takes on the role of job interviewer with AFDA graduate Ofentse Mojapelo in the hot seat. Ofentse studied Motion Picture Medium (Television Production) at AFDA from 2016, majoring in TV Directing, Writing & Producing, graduating in 2019. Taking a break from television production, she completed her Bachelor of Laws degree before…

Dave Levinsohn's on-the-spot skills often make it look like he’s making it up as he goes... that’s because he is! This week Gino has a front row seat with one of SA's top comedians. Find out how far Dave will go, why he likes it when people don't laugh and how not to introduce him at your braai. This popular and original comedian has been honing hi…

Award winning broadcaster and creative momtrepreneur Lebang Kgosana joins us this week for some insight into her 15 years of experience in the media and entertainment industries. With a degree in Marketing and Communications, followed by her training at the YFM Academy, Lebang’s expertise includes advertising, broadcasting, and events management. L…

We take a break from in-studio guests to have a look at Showmax. This is what to check out on Africa’s biggest streamer. Chasing the Sun 2 The Springbok journey to the Rugby World Cup final 2023. Empini Set against the backdrop of the dangerous private security industry, Empini is a high-stakes drama that follows Ndoni Themba, a deeply troubled pri…

In today's episode we reach new heights when Gino gets the opportunity for a one on one with the legendary Mandlankayise Walter Dube. Director, producer, co-screenwriter, Mandla (to his friends) is a writer and award-winning South African cinematographer. His diverse work includes documentaries, shorts, theatre and feature films. Mandla’s work in f…

Ever wondered who takes the leap off a building or crashes cars in movies while the stars take the credit? That’s the work of a stuntman. Special effects teams, directors, and cameramen all rely on the expertise of stuntmen to realize their creative ambitions.This collaboration creates the pulse-pounding moments that keep audiences on the edge of t…

When you are watching stuff on the screen, big or small, there is one thing that tells you where you should be emotionally; tells you whether you should be sad, or happy, or terrrified. That is the score, the music that takes you on the emotional journey that you are watching. Today Gino finds out more about what goes into scoring music for televis…

We recently received a VIP invite to a preview screening of local movie Just Now Jeffrey. On the back of that, Gino now has the chance to chat to Brett Morris, co-director and co-writer of this coming of age South African comedy. Brett has had a long career as a creative in the advertising world, ranked in the top 5 by his peers. He is a published …

On Spring Day, 1 September 2023 SABC TV Licences launched the Win A Holiday Experience competition campaign in an effort to encourage South African customers to pay (or renew) their TV Licences. For their efforts, customers would be rewarded with weekly prizes such as smart TVs, Bluetooth speakers, wireless headphones and laptops. This was done by …

Former minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan, once called today's guest "a South African writer to look out for". Palesa Mazamisa is a published playwright, author and producer. Before entering the world of theatre and film, she worked in the publishing industry and has touched on journalism while remaining a human rights and gender activist. …

"This time around Gino hooks up with the producer of Netflix's Inkabi - who also happens to be an old school colleague, in the person of Princess Zinzi Mhlongo; both of them hailing from eMalahleni, Witbank in Mpumalanga. Her professional theatre directing debut was a production of And the Girls in Their Sunday Dresses presented at festivals in the…

Three lucky kids from Thokoza will soon be winging their way to Portugal to represent South Africa as part of the CinemaTAKE filmmaking project. This week's episode finds Gino chatting to Emilie Demon and Mpumi Mcata (BLK JKS) from Cinema TAKE, an association born out of the friendship of film lover Emilie Demon and Muriel Huet, a presenter at the …

This week Gino dives into the world of Post-Production, where all the component parts of a film or television programme are pulled together and given that extra polish that makes then stand out on our screens. To get more insight, Gino is chatting with Johnny Nkgapele. Having graduated at the University of Witwatersrand, Johnny wasted no time getti…

Love it or hate it, there is no denying that reality TV has changed the face of popular viewing. In this week's episode, Gino chats to Portia Hlubi, the founder of @Milk and Honey TV - a Black - Female Creative Agency that has crafted a spectacular reputation for itself on Africa’s TV landscape. Portia began her career as a commissioning editor but…

37 episodes down the line and it is now a good time to catch up with the latest news about the raft of guests we have featured over the last 8 months. We have also included the link for each guest's episode, so you can easily refresh your memory as to what was going down back then. Guests: Sparky Xulu - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2220442/episodes/1…

With 2024 well and truly established, it is time for a quick look at what's been happening on our own proudly South African doorstep. Gino casts his eye over 15 local productions from this year that have hit our screens. We've also added a Noteworthy section of an additional 5 titles (not all local) that are worth a look. Youngins - Showmax Red Ink…

As part of our ongoing journey through all aspects of Film, TV, Theatre and many other forms of media, Gino sits down with multi-award-winning production designer Karabo Legoabe. Karabo has a Naledi Award, an Independent Theatre Award and was listed as one of the Top 200 Young South Africans by Mail & Guardian in 2021. She studied drama at the Nati…

Today, Gino chats to Kari Sekati, co-founder of Stage Fabrics, supplying wardrobe and styling to both individuals and the TV and Film industries. From single day shoots for an ad to months spent on the set of a feature film, it all seems a far cry from Kari's background of business management and property investment. Kicking off in 2017, Stage Fabr…

In this episode Gino relates the ups and downs of having a few days off in Dubai. With useful tips on where to shop, how to save money and the best way to get about, this episode is your one-stop advice shop. Established in the 18th century as a small fishing village, Dubai grew into a regional trading hub in the early 20th century and grew rapidly…

It's almost Valentine's Day and you still haven't got anything for your beloved. Better get a move on. But can you afford it? In this episode Gino looks at what you could or should be earning in the Media industry. The episode is divided into three categories: Creative, Marketing and Social Media. Within these categories, Gino talks about the remun…

We have all heard of speed dating, but did you know that Christian speed dating was a thing? This week we are joined by Chantel Andile who tells us all about an upcoming event; Christian Speed Dating brought to you by Kingdom Matters. Chantel takes us through what's involved, how to get tickets, what's expected and why it's happening. Chantel is al…

Gino opens up about his biggest heartbreak and how he has since turned to soppy love movies when he faces tough times. Our story takes us back to 17 years ago with a boy who was cool in his school marimba band. At the same time there was a girl who was hot in her school marimba band. Like Romeo and Juliet they came together, although not in Verona,…

Are you sitting comfortably? Because this episode is really three seperate sections all joined together by the supernatural. The first part tells the strange story of a young Emalahleni (Witbank) girl who kept appearing to strangers on the anniversary of her tragic passing. The second part is the story behind a documentary Gino discovered on Apple …

Ok, enough of 2023, time to look ahead, but ask yourself, has Hollywood run out of fresh ideas? 2024 looks like a year of many familiar titles. . . This week Gino singles out some of the hot new releases coming at you in 2024. 1. Mean Girls, a remake of the 2004 comedy, came out just recently. 2. Argylle with John Cena, Dua Lipa and Samuel L. Jacks…

There's nothing better thank kicking back and settling down with a great comedy, and so this week Gino runs through 20 of the greatest Black Comedies of All Time. And if that doesnt tickle your funny bone, there's two extras to get you laughing into 2024. Here we go! 1. Friday (1995) - Ice Cube, Chris Tucker and Nia Long 2. Coming to America (1988)…

Welcome to the first podcast of the year, on the first day of the year. 1 January 2024. Happy New Year to all of you, wherever you are. Let’s take a look at 2023. Episode 01 of African Couch Potato - the Mash-up entered the digital arena on the 18th of July, Nelson Mandela's birthday. It is now listened to from Johannesburg to San Francisco, from T…

Welcome to the Christmas Edition of African Couch Potato: The Mash-up. Today is our 25th episode… on the 25th day of December! When Christmas lunch is done, and all the presents have been given or received, what better way than a movie to round off the day. So, to celebrate this time of year, Gino has selected a list of 25 feel good Christmas movie…

Zola Hashatsi is no stranger to controversy and the tabloids and he has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. This household name was recently accused of impersonating a medical practitioner at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital but the case was later withdrawn. Coincidently, In 2022, Zola revealed that he had decided to answer and accept the call…

Another episode, another Masterclass. This time we turn our attention to the frantic world of television promos, those mini promotional videos that get squashed in between the adverts. This episode finds Gino talking to Pearl Shozi, Executive Creative Director at Birthmark Agency, where he gets the lowdown on what it takes to produce those short tr…