Star Brite under fire Barney Mpariwa
Barney Mpariwa

Barney Mpariwa

Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
Talent search show Star Brite has come under fire from various viewers that have castigated the show for ‘lack of quality’.
Viewers believe the Barney Mpariwa-produced show falls far below the expected standards of television talent shows and cannot match regional expectations.
Most of the viewers gave South Africa’s Idols as an example of a good show that Star Brite should emulate.
Among the critics of the show was comedian Carl Joshua Ncube who noted on social media network that Star Brite was below standard because of its adjudicators. He said Idols was ahead because it has judges that can say ‘no’ to an act.

On social media debates, other commenators echoed Ncube’s sentiments.
“Star (Brite) organisers should at least engage reputable judges. That is the trend around the world. They should inspire the finalists because as far as we are concerned the only judges we know are Kudzai Sevenzo and Alexio. However,  their comments have no depth,” read a comment from Peter.

“It might not be their problem but the quality. If the show is reputable it can they attract sponsorship not like now when we have an incompetent panel,” noted another viewer.

However, another viewer identified as Tindo said the problem was not with producers of the show.
“The problem is failure to manage the talent, after Star Brite. Otherwise, well done Barney for the perseverance in that work of identifying young talent,” Tindo noted.

Mpariwa defended his show saying his critics were being unfair.
“It is extremely unfair to compare us with shows like the American or South African idols. Those shows get hefty packages from sponsors, which is quiet different with Star Brite. One cannot look at Star Brite in isolation of what is happening in the country,” he said.

He said the show was playing its role of scouting for talent countrywide and exposing them in spite of the financial constraints.
While a season requires a budget required of $200 000 they were getting mostly products from a few companies.

“The idols are indicative of the economic situation and how much the corporate in the respective countries appreciate and value art. The 2013 season of American idols for example was given $200 million by company getting,” he said

Mpariwa said it would have been justified if the criticism was centered on the talent as anything else was beyond their control.
He highlighted some of the attempts they have made to improve the show’s quality that includes shooting with high definition cameras that is proving useless as ZBC has not yet digitalized.

“StarBrite is making a difference in many people’’s lives and are proud of that. The talent for this year is exciting and it brings solace to our financial woos and to us that’’s more important than people who are not proud of their own”

The executive producer has had to sell two of his cars and a trailer at some point in order to foot the show’s bills.
“Inmates from both Chikurubi and Harare Central Prison registered and auditioned. Five acts have qualified for the finals. Danhiko School, Zimbabwe Association of Albinos, Chinyaradzo and Harare Children’s homes also got a chance to be in the show,” he said.

Despite the challenges the show continues to grow and the quality of talent is improving each year passing.
“How long did it take Tuku to get where he is? How many companies are lining up to endorse his brand now? We need to be developers and not just importers of other people’s finished products,” he said.

Star Brite Season Three, the reality show has been showing on weekends for the past two weeks on ZBC TV.
The series is a chronicling the finalists’ journey to the last stage as the build up to the finals slated for end of October intensifies.

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