Ayanda A-Game
Team captain Ayanda Thabethe is ready for action in season 2 of Celebrity Game Night on DStv.
Just because it’s Sunday night doesn’t mean you need to stop having fun! Radio DJ and gameshow host Anele Mdoda is ruling the roost with season 2 of her award-winning gameshow Celebrity Game Night (2020now) on E! (*124) at 20:00. And she has serious pulling power with her two team captains: actress and television presenter Ayanda Thabethe (Aliyah in drama show Rockville, 2013-2018) and comedian Jason Goliath.
“Celebrity Game Night is all about having a good time,” says Ayanda. “We bring the country’s most adored stars together in one room. And in that hour, nothing else matters. The celebs let their guards down, and we all have a ball. What’s more exciting about this show is that viewers can participate in the challenges from the comfort of their own homes,” adds Ayanda. Now pick a team and prepare for a thrilling season of Celebrity Game Night as Ayanda reveals who we’ll see, and how the setup has changed during COVID-19.
WHO’S ON THE GUEST LIST?
Like the previous season, season 2 of Celebrity Game Night includes athletes, musicians and actors, and anyone else famous. There’s a variety of comedians to look forward to, including Loyiso Gola, and Celeste Ntuli (herself on comedy panel show Point Of Order, 2019-now). Controversial musician Kelly Khumalo (reality show Life With Kelly Khumalo, 2020) will be grabbing her spot on one of the velvet seats, which have replaced the couches to allow for social distancing, and performer Warren Masemola (MaFred in dance drama series Tjovitjo, 2017-now) is gracing the stage with his presence too this season. “These stars put their best foot forward in every challenge, and they bring their sense of humour along. Keep an eye out for reality star Lasizwe
Dambuza (Fake It Till You
Make It, 2019-now), he’s hilarious on the show,” says Ayanda. While there isn’t a grand prize for the winning team, the celeb guests receive something money can’t buy: lifelong bragging rights. “They enjoy themselves so much that they always say they want to come back – and they do. We have returning guests like media personality Maps Maponyane and Roxy Burger, host of E!’s How Do I Look? SA (2017-2019,” says team captain Ayanda.
PUTTING HER GAME FACE ON
Ayanda’s leadership role involves easing her team members’ nerves, uniting them and instilling an aggressively competitive spirit. “It’s no secret that I play to win. Everyone knows it, especially my opponent Jason,” Ayanda says with a laugh. “I didn’t know that I was this cut-throat until I joined Celebrity Game Night. Before the challenges, I pull my team members aside and I provide them with winning tips. There’s a point where I had to remind myself that the gameshow isn’t always about winning. It is about enjoyment too,” adds Ayanda.
THE NEW NORMAL
Due to lockdown regulations, season 2’s set designs were altered, and Ayanda adds that the games don’t require as much physical contact this time round. “The production crew does a good job at keeping everyone apart. In season 1, both of the teams would sit on opposite couches and cuddle together. This time we are seated on chairs [that are positioned one metre apart]. There’s an ottoman for those who want to rest their legs,” explains Ayanda, adding that “the studio, or rather, Anele’s house, is still fabulous.”
HOW TO WATCH DSTV ONLINE
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