Mandla and Lexi's new reality show's a total train wreck in so many ways and yet it's a bizarrely entertaining Reality Low - particularly when you accept that it's constructed reality.
It's so staged and yet it's the construction and staging of it gives it unintentional added layers - like the twilight zone party they had in the premiere - at that Top Billing house to "recreate" the vibe in the Big Brother house - which none of the former housemates wanted to go to. Bwa! Was unbelievably cringeworthy - especially when Lexi said that people didn't want to come because the party was purely for her and Mandla's business - they were all spot on - it was.
They obviously felt they were being used to make up the numbers to "be seen" at the staged party so their refusal to attend was hysterical. The party made no sense whatsoever - there was no reason for it, everything was free - paid for by the show obviously - so the context of it was illogical. Which is obviously what missing guests felt and why they didn't attend - which made things interesting.
Lexi's drunken response to the randoms who did attend the party was crash TV too - her concerns that they were hogging the limelight, her tears, the fact that we have no clue what money she's living on and can only assume it's Mandla's.
The show steered far away from the actual numbers and finances of their situation - like how much Mandla paid for that dilapidated house - just goes to show how little you can buy as a Big Brother winner. And how many people want money from you once you've won.
His situation at home was intriguing - the threats his mother's getting for the prize money, the demands placed on him for a party by people in his area - which will no doubt increase now. Picture the scene: (said by one of his neighbours): "But you had a party for people who didn't even want to go to it - why didn't you invite us?!"
I was pleased that they covered this - the series synopsis made it sound as if Mandla and Lexi's attempts to break into the entertainment industry would be the primary focus of the show so it was good to see that it isn't. Hopefully it won't go that way as from next week when Lexi auditions for aYeYe. Yawn.
The fact that she's auditioning for an M-Net channel show bores me 'cos it's too staged too - broadcaster's really need to realise that no-one's gonna die if they mention shows on other broadcasters - it would be much more real if the audition were totally unconnected to the show in any way.
One of the more real scenes of the premiere was the one between Lexi and the designer guy she dissed. Her comments about him were honest and funny as a result. But we don't have a clue how she found him nor why she's using him for her fashion label - yet another huge gaping hole.
As a result I've given the show a rating of 6 out of 10.