Mock news bulletin may spread its wings

BE WARNED: the incorrigible but hilarious presenter Ruuda van Jakkelsfontein might soon be coming to a screen near you.

Van Jakkelsfontein is the brainchild of award-winning film director Oliver Hermanus. She presents a weekly mock gig guide on YouTube for Capetonians, called FOBLO - Fear Of Being Left Out.

Comic Anne Hirsch plays Van Jakkelsfontein. She presents "all the news you need to avoid failing as a wannabe Capetonian" - and does so while smoking and drinking.

She recently told FOBLO followers: "South Africa will celebrate her youth [June 16] this coming weekend, taking it as your yearly opportunity to be youthful. Tell a neighbour to go f**k herself, remind your mom that you love her, buy a big tissue at the robot, and pretend like acting President Jacob Zuma is not having a shower with a Gupta."

The financial indicators come with a twist: "A shot of tequila is trading at R21 at Tiger Tiger, R20 at Aces and Spade, and R19 at Caprice. A morning-after pill is currently set at R79 at Clicks Pharmacies, R95 at Bellville Medi-Clinic and nothing rand at Groote Schuur emergency rooms."

Hirsch said of taking on Van Jakkelsfontein's role: "She's a lot of fun to play and she gets away with a lot. She's out of my comfort zone. Her character started with a wig that someone brought to the set. In the beginning, when Oliver sent me the script, I would draw red lines everywhere, but now it's too exhausting to try that."

Hirsch has just wrapped up the second season of The Anne Hirsch Show, also on YouTube.

FOBLO began on May 31. Hirsch has revealed that talks are imminent on turning the show national. There have been nine bulletins with an average of 4867 views.