This is Mark Rober
Channel: Discovery Channel (DStv 121)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Prank Show, Science, Hidden Camera
Former NASA engineer Mark Rober became a YouTube sensation thanks to his intricate experiments and prankster videos.
Now, Discovery brings Rober and his brand of science, engineering, storytelling and hijinks to TV screens in This is Mark Rober, followed by Revengineers (see below).
Rober first took the Internet by storm in 2018 when he posted a video revealing how he avenged the victims of doorstep delivery theft by tricking porch pirates with an engineered box that sprayed glitter all over the thieves.
This is Mark Rober introduces Rober to television audiences, providing a rare glimpse into the concepts and processes behind some of his most outrageous viral videos, including all-new and never-before-seen footage.
In the series premiere, "Elephant Toothpaste": Mark features some of his biggest and craziest experiments ever and highlights his relationship with a young man who motivated his second world record attempt.
Mark Rober's Revengineers
Channel: Discovery Channel (DStv 121)
TX Time: 20h55
Genre: Prank Show, Science, Hidden Camera
In Revengineers, Rober and his team exact the ultimate revenge of the nerd on the morally impaired, with elaborately executed pranks.
Like his glitter box experiment, Rober and the Revengineers will use the power of ingenuity, science and engineering before setting their trap with hidden cameras.
The series, from executive producers Rober and Jimmy Kimmel, is far from your typical prank show as the team scours the country to identify social wrong doers, then brainstorm ways to catch them in the act.
But not everyone proves to be out for themselves, with cameras also showing the kind and generous acts of good Samaritans trying to do the right thing.
In the series premiere, "Attention Bad Shoppers": Rober and his team target inconsiderate shoppers who overindulge on free samples at a booby-trapped farmers market stand.
They also set loose a fleet of robotic shopping carts on those who do not return their carts at a local grocery store.
Among other stories this season, Rober and the Revengineers target those who text and drive by revealing video of their offenses on a jumbotron in a crowded hockey arena; theatregoers who disrupt the film on their phones; inattentive texters; and bicycle thieves which includes a challenge for Rober's team to build the ultimate boobytrapped and un-stealable bike.
Onthul: Graskop: Voertsek, Polisie!
Channel: kykNET (DStv 144)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Documentary, Afrikaans
We live in a country where corruption and crime are part of our daily lives.
But what happens when those who are supposed to keep us safe, fail to do so?
This is what happened in May earlier this year when Graskop, a tourist mecca, was invaded by a gang or marauders, and the police turned a blind eye.
Imagine this: You live in one of the most popular tourist towns in South Africa, but early one morning a gang hits the town.
They block all routes to the town, and looting soon follows.
Shops are plundered, explosives are used to blow open safes and a security guard is assaulted.
And the police? They lock themselves away safely in the local police station.
The documentary focuses on this night of terror and the reasons why the local police were MIA when the town needed them most.
The spotlight also falls on the polarising effect this had on the residents, dividing them into two opposing groups.
One group was very vocal and created a lot of noise about the level of policing in Graskop. They went as far as chasing away the station commander.
Another group thought this kind of behaviour was too extreme and would only result in damage to the town's image.
Police and crime experts, including former police captain Ben Booysen, Prof. Rudolph Zinn and Gideon Jones, share their insights into systemic breakdowns in the police force.
Brig. Selvy Mohlala, provincial police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, presents the other side of the story.
Richard Mamabolo explains the stance of the police trade union POPCRU.
Some experts believe crime can't always be attributed to socio-economic factors, while others suggest people join the police force merely to earn a salary and not because they see it as a calling.
The effects of poor police services reach further than the failure to curb crime.
For a town relying on income from tourism, the gang's looting led to a loss of income.
Will the town recover or has its image been damaged beyond repair?
Some experts share the opinion that the community should join hands with the police, but how is it possible when trust in this crucial service has been broken time and again?
Then there is the broader context in which the police must do their job.
Crumbling infrastructure, especially in rural areas, creates challenging conditions for the police.
Without electricity, streets are dark at night, and roads riddled with potholes cause delays for police vehicles.
The high level of frustration in the communities affected by these service delivery issues creates a dangerous climate and explosive situations.
Animal Impossible
Channel: S3
TX Time: 17h00
Genre: Wildlife, Reality
Former snowboarding professionals and best mates Tim Warwood and Adam Gendle risk life and limb to uncover the truth about animals in this eye-opening series from the BBC Studios Natural History Unit.
Do cats always land on their feet? Could a squid sink a ship? Is spider silk really stronger than steel? Do bulls hate the colour red?
Endlessly curious presenters Tim and Gendle want to find out.
In a fresh take on natural history filmmaking, the intrepid pair quiz experts and conduct audacious stunts – including a nerve-wracking swim with a great white shark – to get answers.
But they find more than they expected, discovering a whole host of strange and remarkable truths about the animal kingdom.