Zimpapers Logo

Cast members from “Murdoch Mysteries: A Merry Murdoch Christmas”

Tafadzwa Zimoyo
What a weekend!!! Last Saturday had two big shows in Harare and Norton besides the usual weekend gigs that take place week in, week out. Harare had Star FM People’s Choice Awards while in Norton “40 Years of Tuku Music” lit up the town.

The day provided good opportunities for our television guys to show their touch in covering big entertainment events.

Although the ZBC TV crew only managed to fully cover the Norton event, they should be commended for showing their preparedness to be there when big weekend events take place.

They were there with their van and cameras and they captured every moment of the event to celebrate Oliver Mtukudzi’s 40 years in the music industry.

These are the rare moments that the nation needs to watch.

Event organisers should always engage the television crew and vice versa.

If you understand what I mean, when Katy Perry or Usher goes to any country to perform, we do see that on television, same as local acts, they are covered.

That is the entertainment we want.

Quick reminder, when Toni Braxton visited the country, the VUZU team had their share of the shots, so the same goes for the Ringo and Zahara who are always on our soil.

It’s a chance to spruce up the entertainment and showbiz rather than having repeats of boring movies.

It is interesting to note how popular television programmes on celebrity news have become. The West family (Kim and Kanye) is currently dominating celebrity news. Kim delivered a bouncing baby boy but the aspect of having the story in main news shows the level of seriousness attached to showbiz.

What would our guys do if they hear that Sandra Ndebele or Mai Charamba has a new baby?

ZBC TV should continue letting us know about developments and events on the showbiz scene.

Well, it’s holiday time and for DStv viewers, that means more viewing pleasure for the whole family this festive season. Here are some of the exciting programmes to look forward to during the holidays:

M-Net (DStv 101)

Horrible Bosses 2: Jason Bateman and the gang return for another crazy encounter. After the trio’s new business is hampered by a sly investor, they come up with a misguided plan to kidnap him.

It premières on Sunday 13 December at 20:05 and on M-Net Movies Premiere at 20:30 CAT.

Tyler Perry’s a Madea Christmas: Tyler Perry returns as Madea for a chaotic holiday film. Madea visits a rural town after she is coaxed into helping her friend pay her daughter a surprise visit for Christmas. The movie premières on M-Net on Sunday 20 December at 20:05 and on M-Net Movies Premiere at 20:30 CAT.

The Muppets: Everyone’s favourite muppets return for an all-new documentary-style show. In the series première, Miss Piggy must deal with her anger at Kermit for booking Elizabeth Banks as a guest on her show. Tune in for double-bill episodes from Wednesday 16 December at 19:30 CAT.

The Great Christmas Light Fight: True Christmas spirit shines in this fun-loving series that sees four families compete to have the most elaborate and spectacular Christmas displays for a cash prize. It airs from Wednesday 23 December at 18:30 CAT.

STUDIO UNIVERSAL (DStv Channel 112)

An En Vogue Christmas: The funky divas have gone their separate ways, but are persuaded to reunite for a benefit concert to save the club that gave them their big break. Before they can perform though, they must overcome their differences with their former manager, who was responsible for the group breaking up in the first place. It airs on Monday 14 December at 18:00 CAT.

BBC BRIT (DStv Channel 120)

Hoff the Record: Get ready for the next chapter in the story of The Hoff!

This excruciatingly funny, semi-improvised comedy sees actor David Hasselhoff play a fictionalised version of himself as he arrives in the UK to try and reignite his career.

As his attempts at everything from fronting a charity to becoming a global peacemaker fall into disarray, can The Hoff get his career back on track and make sense of his increasingly surreal life? It starts on Monday 28 December at 20:00 CAT.

iTV CHOICE (DStv Channel 123)

Murdoch Mysteries: A Merry Murdoch Christmas: Tune in for this two-hour holiday special first and exclusive broadcast in Africa within 24 hours of the UK airing.

The team is on the case when a philanthropist is found dead before the holidays and the presents he distributes to Toronto’s orphans go missing.

It is up to Murdoch, Ogden and the team at Station No. 4 to solve the mystery and save Christmas. It airs on Thursday 24 December at 20:00 CAT.

Keep It In The Family: Christmas Special: Christmas is all about family!

Everyone’s involved as they re-enact routines, identify famous faces and decide which prizes to swap or drop, and it’s the kids who choose the prizes. Do they go for a family trip to Pisa or a year’s supply of pizza? For the finale, celebrities join in to help the winning family take home the jackpot prize, but will it be the car or a pair of roller skates? It airs on Saturday 26 December at 19:30 CAT.

BET (DStv Channel 129)

Global, Glitz & Glam Special: Fashion Forward David Tlale: Follow the African “King of Fashion,” David Tlale and his loyal court, as they prepare to showcase his Fall 2015 Collection at New York Fashion Week! The BET International cameras go behind the scenes of the South African fashion designers step by step after hitting the ground in New York City . . . the models, the make-up, the mayhem, and the show. From Sunday 6 December at 20:05 CAT.

DISNEY CHANNEL (DStv Channel 303)

Frozen In Time: Mischievous brother and sister Eric and Patty Purtle are visiting their grandfather for Christmas. What could possibly go wrong? During a trip to their grandfather’s workshop, they accidentally break a clock and find themselves stuck in a never-ending loop of Christmas Eve.

Can they fix the clock and finally reach Christmas Day, ensuring festive fun for the whole Purtle family?

The Christmas cracker premièred on Friday 4 December at 17:10 CAT.

Frozen Fever: This is a short film that’s a spin-off from mega worldwide blockbuster Disney movie Frozen.

This entertaining and endearing addition to the much-loved Frozen saga sees Elsa and Krist off determined to give Anna the best celebration ever — but Elsa’s icy powers may put more than just the party at risk! Packed with delightful features, like cute snowballs which appear during sneezes, this is a delightful little film.