‘LATE NITE NEWS’ FLIES SA FLAG AGAIN

FOR the second time in a row, Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola ( LNN) received an International Emmy Award nomination. The eNCA political satire is the first South African show to achieve this milestone.

“I am excited. The first time is always cool, but the second time feels so much better,” said an ecstatic Gola. Produced by Diprente Films, LNN has been running for four years and is a hit with South African viewers. It’s formula remains that of South Africa’s most innovative comedians doing a mock combination of traditional news reportage, sketches and live music.

The host of the show, Gola ( pictured), gives us a weekly dose of biting and no-holds-barred commentary which earns him equal amounts of adoration and condemnation, depending on who he offends. Gola has openly stated that he has got into legal trouble thanks to some of the things that he has said on the show, but none of the legal allegations have stuck.

One of the best things to come out of the show is Chester Missing, the loud-mouthed puppet that is shown as a seminal political analyst. (And whose creator, Conrad Koch, is currently facing just such a legal battle with Steve Hofmeyr.)

What has worked about Missing is that he actually does meaningful interviews with the country’s most influential political leaders, despite being a puppet. The interviewees have also been good sports in that they address Missing as if he were a real person.

Then there is David Kibuuka, who stars as the foreign correspondent who gives the South African viewer the latest international news. His presentation is always extremely subjective and peppered with details about his personal life.

And then there is Deep Fried Man, the guitarist comic who always wraps up the week’s news events in song, featuring some of the country’s top musicians.

It is all a highly compelling formula, which is why, even though LNN lost out to Belgium at the awards held earlier this week, to us the team is still top-notch.

“The second nomination is a boost for South African satire as a whole. Five years ago eNCA decided to support local comedians and show the country the importance of satire. The LNN team have proven our faith in them and forever changed the way South Africans approach news and satire.

“We just can’t imagine democratic commentary now without it”, said eNCA’s managing director, Patrick Conroy.