Why does Come Dine with Me South Africa blow our hair back?
Oh let us count the ways in the wake of Wednesday's Season 6 finale:
No. 1
It makes us do an internal scream, inspired by Episode 7's Clarissa.
It was a remarkable moment of TV because it really captured the feeling of what we call The Excitement.
When you're overwhelmed by the coolness of a situation in the moment and don't know what to do with yourself.
It's the feeling you get as you collapse into your couch to watch the show because you know all you need to do is chillax and chuckle.
There's been too little of this feeling with Covid so it's a healing tonic.
No. 2
The dynamics between the contestants are fascinating to see, like Andrew in the finale who was so intimidated by being surrounded by women only.
He was the first to host and his interaction with them set up the dynamics for each meal, which was somewhat awks and formal.
Also, they were all scared of Dominique the dominatrix, who definitely uses that whip on her husband.
She claimed he sleeps in a separate room because he snores but we didn't buy it - she keeps him there in leather and chains for sure.
No. 3
Dave Lamb's voiceover. OBVS. Witty, observant, irreverent and never disappointing. Quick. You have to listen closely in case you miss.
No. 4
The contestants' impressions of each other and their meals, and how different they are when they're together versus when they talk in their confessionals.
The way they diss a meal behind-the-scenes after they've just faked-out with "Oh, well done," round the dinner table.
Did you know? The fear of hearing someone eating loudly ... the condition teacher Nicole had in the finale... it's genuine and exists.
It's called misophonia and Wikipedia describes it like so:
"A disorder of decreased tolerance to specific sounds or their associated stimuli.
Reactions to trigger sounds range from anger and annoyance to activating a fight-or-flight response.
Common triggers include oral sounds (e.g., loud breathing, chewing, swallowing), clicking sounds (e.g., keyboard tapping, finger tapping, windshield wipers), and sounds associated with movement (e.g., fidgeting).
Poor Andrew set it off with his slurping and sweating and the show shared the gory details, without worrying about hurting anyone's feelings.
No. 5
The spirit with which the contestants take the show. Everyone does and says everything with a light-hearted sentiment. No offence taken.
No. 6
The culinary ideas. The show's definitely inspired us to cook.
So much so that we even asked the production for Clarissa's recipe for her Cheese Boys, which looked so delicious we almost drooled the skin off our lips.
Here it is if you want it too:
Clarissa's Cheesy Potato Croquettes
The Season 7 menu - what we want to see
As you probs know, the show's been renewed for Season 7 and applications are open until 23 June.
If you'd like to apply, you'll find everything you need to know here >>
Renewed and casting! Come Dine With Me SA calls for Season 7 party hosts
This is what we want to see on the new season: a host who wins with the simplest of meals, literally chips and dip for starters, spaghetti with sauce or bolognaise for mains, and ice cream for dessert.
We'd also love to see parties in other provinces but the show's being cheap again with only two provinces for the season so that's not a possibility unfortunately. Bring on more provinces in the future!
What do you love about the show and what's your order for the new season?
While we wait... property reality show Listing Jozi replaces it this week (16 June). Details here >>
Listing Jozi.