Flash! is a South African entertainment magazine show produced by Red Pepper Productions featuring news, gossip and footage of musicians, soap stars, sports stars, business people, red carpet events, premieres, one hit wonders and yesterday's heroes.
It was reinvented for its second season to have more of an emphasis on social network news with a perspective on South African celebrity culture, people, current events and the news of the day as it plays out through social media platforms.
The series premiered on SABC3 on Wednesday 1 April 2009, at 20h00. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 2 premiered on SABC3 on Friday 7 October 2011, at 21h00. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are 26 episodes in the second season.
Season 1
This prime time entertainment show brings you the lowdown on local and international glitz, glamour and gossip. The hosts have a backstage pass where all the others are still cueing for tickets!
Are you on the ‘A List’? Don’t worry if you weren’t invited - Flash! will bring it to you in your living room. Movie stars, musicians, soap stars, sports stars and well known business people, role models, one hit wonder and yesterday's heroes.
Fashion, food, the red carpet, events, film premieres, visiting celebs and theatre shows. The story behind the story; the making of; the rise and rise. Of course we want to know the whole story of how Johan Rupert’s son crashed his million rand Ferrari...
It’s entertainment news local-style with all the latest info on anybody who’s anybody in South Africa and abroad.
You want to know who is dating Ryk. But did you know about Matt Damon doing the Cape Argus? The show goes for a spin in Lucas Radebe’s helicopter and catches up with DJ Sbu as he goes green by selling his new Lambo. There is also an exclusive interview with Michael Buble.
Roving reporter Candy Litchfield will be at every party that matters, out on the streets and shopping malls looking for all the latest trends, on first name terms with the who’s who and even doing lunch with them.
Flash! The camera never lies – but why should it?
Season 2
The second season of Flash! is a glam perspective on South African celebrity culture, people, current events and the news of the day as it plays out through social media platforms.
This all-new and local entertainment format channels social media streams and positions itself as a conduit through which the South African entertainment arena presents itself on TV.
Often the news "breaks" through social media streams and is more interesting and newsworthy than the news itself. Flash! embraces this social trend and uses it to differentiate both its positioning and the delivery of local entertainment news.
Underpinned by its positioning, social network news, Flash! aims to bring an all new spotlight to SA's social scene, bringing viewers more local entertainment news and celebrities more opportunities for exposure.
The story behind the story, the confessions you have not heard, the latest info on everybody who's somebody in ZA, the news that made news is signed to get the Flash! treatment.
Flash! 2 has a number of regular and light-hearted segments that focus on celebrity culture, entertainment and TV show news, music, movies, viewer generated content and much more.
Regular segments include:
NewsFlash! - a segment that unpacks the week's exclusive stories
Flash!tistics - which features interesting social media statistics
Flash!Frame - features funny stuff found on the web or viewer's photos taken with celebs
Flash! ends with Clip of the Week, a video clip, tweet, statement or event considered to be the best in the past week.
Each week, Flash! welcomes a celebrity guest on set. As well as being interviewed, the guest will provide commentary on selected stories. Also, a host of contributors will provide Flash! with the inside, never-heard-or-seen before social media scoop.
Although the show will be scripted, a large portion of the show will rely on the host's ad-libbed commentary as s/he brings viewers highlights from the past week, and the latest info on everybody who's somebody in ZA.
Flash!'s exclusive content will be obtained from local celebrities, their Reps, PR companies, well-respected bloggers and fans.
Simultaneously, Flash! will provide a framework for viewer interaction. Either through Twitter, Facebook or e-mails, viewers will be able to add their voice to Flash! conversations.
Casting Change
Co-host Isabella de Villiers was replaced after 17 episodes of the first season by Rachel Stuart, who took over from Episode 18 on 29 July, 2009.
A new weekly insert was also introduced in Episode 18, called Flash Frame with Andy, in which Andy "The Admiral" Kasrils does a weekly movie round-up in studio with the presenters.
All the hosts were replaced for Season 2 by Metro FM DJ Tbo Touch.
Seasons
Note: episodes in the first season were an hour long, but were cut to 30 minutes for Season 2. The series is exclusive to SABC3.
Season 1 (26 episodes)
Premiere: 1 April 2009 | Finale: 23 September 2009 | Wednesdays, 20h00
Season 2 (26 episodes)
Premiere: 7 October 2011 | Finale: 30 March 2011 | Fridays, 21h00