Difficult to imagine life without Queen

22 August 2014 - 02:25 By Andile Ndlovu
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Sophie Ndaba. File photo
Sophie Ndaba. File photo
Image: Simon Mathebula

More people love and watch SABC1 soapie Generations than don't, and the couch critics are certainly not the key to its success.

Every weeknight, if you log onto Twitter during prime time, you're certain to find comments about why the show's scriptwriters should be axed, and why the show's more than 7.4million viewers should demand better. Peculiarly, those posting the cutting comments still watch the show.

Should viewers of the 20-year-old institution expect better? Sure we should.

The truth is that, because we have been exposed to successful international TV dramas such as House of Cards, True Detective and Fargo, we expect more from our local shows.

But, judging from Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula's outrage at the axing of 16 Generations actors, and my mother's feedback every other night about the storyline, the show still plays a big role in many people's lives.

I remember that in my boyhood, first in Ntuzuma E and later Newlands West, everything was scheduled around Generations.

Dinner for my family was strictly at 8pm. My 300-word comprehension exercise would have to be done before that iconic theme song came on.

My late grandmother would scream at the TV, calling Karabo Moroka an idiot for pining over her one-time fiancé, Glen Majozi, who was nearly blinded by his former wife, Ingrid, who put chemicals in his eye drops.

She would give us a running commentary and was the first to hush you up if you dared utter a word.

Habitual viewing or not, this is why we're so keen to hold on to this iconic 20-year-old show.

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