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. . . as Empire season 2 ends

Tafadzwa Zimoyo : Silverscreen

Tomorrow we celebrate Africa Day. A day set aside as an annual holiday in various countries in Africa marking each year the onward progress of the liberation movement, and to symbolize the determination of the people of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation. We should take the day seriously and reflect on how we can change the world with television.This could be or is a great opportunity for producers and filmmakers to portray their creativity using what they know about African countries.

Make hay while the sun still shines or we will have an African film by Daniel Craig and still wonder where we are going to.

Remember African stories are much more interesting and entertaining than what we adore from the West.

With that in mind, being creative and having our content, I couldn’t help but laugh after watching a local talent show titled Zimbabwe Greatest Talent production by Moses Matanda.

I later said to myself that was really bad but unfortunately one thing I understood is that some of us don’t want to learn.

We are very ignorant when it comes to creativity.

A lot of shows are being made just like Star-Brite. Time has evolved and what we have been watching in the 90s has changed thus we need to adapt.

If you look at Zimbabwe Greatest Talent, the concept is very good but surprisingly lacks the motivation and creativity.

The show gives exposure and opportunity for gifted artists in various genres.

It features creative artistes of all kind such as sculptors, painters, weavers, potteries, designers, magicians and singers.

For a producer like Matanda who is not new to television settings as he has so far made another production ‘Dead End’ on ZTV, we were expecting something better considering that we are all tired of the same concept when it comes to talent shows.

Surprisingly, we are still wondering how can you be everything; producer, presenter and camera person. I am sure it is possible, maybe in Hollywood, but here you need the assistance of others to make a brilliant production.

Having all this in one plate may limit creativity which the show claims to be after.

For starters, ZGT says it is seeking for talent and creativity while the show itself displays a serious lack of the same.

The presentation skills are lacking with most presenters noisy and shallow.

The interviews are not coordinated to an extent that we fail to see the talent they claim to showcase.

As a fashion critic I won’t dwell much on the wardrobe and makeup for the show because it is already hitting the brick wall.

We pray it ends soon.

Worse still, we are asked to vote for winners, but vote for what?

Too many cooks will spoil the broth.

Producers should avoid competing with their cast.

On to DSTV, good news is Empire’s most loved and hated character Taraji Henson (Cookie) is coming to South Africa next month.

Wow, stars continue making an impact on their tours, we hope one day you put Zimbabwe on your schedule too.

Speaking of which, last Wednesday Empire wrapped its second season on Fox with a cliffhanger on a high-rise balcony.

Rhonda Lyon (Kaitlin Doubleday) had discovered that Anika Calhoun (Grace Gealey) had pushed her down the stairs and killed her baby.

Infuriated, Rhonda then attacked the pregnant Anika on a Manhattan balcony, grabbing her by the throat and attempting to throw her over the edge.

“You wanted that devil child to be the only heir to the throne didn’t you, didn’t you?”

Rhonda screeched as she held her by the neck above the dizzying drop.

The season closed with the scream of a woman, apparently falling to her death.

The feisty cat-fight was the final spectacle of a tense season finale titled Past Is Prologue.

Hakeem’s marriage to Laura was derailed after Anika got served with court papers to testify against Lucious during the ceremony.

Scared by the commotion Laura (Jamila Velazquez) called off the wedding in tears.

‘I can’t do this,’ she blubbered.

A Lyon family meeting was then called.

‘I’ll do whatever it takes to not testify,’ said Anika.

Empire patriarch Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) decided that if he married Anika spousal privilege would prevent her from testifying.

They already had a licence from when they were dating back.

‘You can’t do it, this is my wedding and she’s carrying my baby,’ protested Lucious’ son Hakeem (Bryshere Gray).

The show had opened with Jamal (Jussie Smollett) in a wheelchair three weeks after taking a bullet meant for his father.

Jamal initially refused to perform at his brother’s wedding.

‘I ain’t singing no more alright, I’m just tired,’ he cried, citing the family’s ‘same old cycle’ of death and incarceration.

He vowed to give up music until the cycle was broken.

Lucious’ mother Leah (Leslie Uggams) tried to spill some secrets about Lucious’ father but he dragged her off before she had the chance.

‘Tell them the truth,’ she hissed.

Lucious told Cookie that the authorities were tailing him because he killed someone for Tommy Devoni and Rosie Perkins.

They had made Lucious extinguish a new artist they had signed because he’d become a ‘loud mouth, selling wolf tickets and threatening other artists,’ as Lucious put it.

‘They wanted him handled,’ he confessed.

Cookie, looking particularly outlandish, went to visit Shine Johnson who demanded a publishing deal for his nephew Joey.

‘And I want Hakeem to record it,’ he said while also insisting on an invite to the wedding.

Cookie wasn’t keen, but she relented.

That’s Empire for you. We can’t wait for season 3 and hope the plot thickens.