Watching strangers watch TV on 'Gogglebox SA' is strangely comforting

Tuning into the South African version 'Gogglebox', a new reality TV show, is like being wrapped in a nice warm blankie, says Rebecca Davis

The first time someone explains to you the idea behind Gogglebox, a normal reaction is complete bemusement and/or anger. "It's where you, the viewer, watch a bunch of people on TV watching TV," someone will tell you. "Am I of sound mind in this scenario?" you might well respond. "Do I have locked-in syndrome in this scenario? Because why, otherwise, would I not violently hurl my remote at my screen?"

Aha! The tricksy thing about Gogglebox is that you can't quite grasp how entertaining it can be without watching it for yourself. The concept originated in Britain, as part of what I like to call the rise of Soothing TV. In a world in which we're dealing with Islamic State and Donald Trump and Kanye West and the rest of the horrors, sometimes ordinary levels of TV escapism won't cut it.

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Sometimes you need a show which tucks you up in a blankie, hands you a mug of hot cocoa, and makes you feel that things aren't so dire after all. Into this category of television I would place the Bake-Off shows and their spin-offs, and alongside them would be Gogglebox.

The UK's incarnation of Gogglebox has made household names of its stars: perfectly ordinary folk drawn from different areas and socio-economic backgrounds, shown weekly on TV watching TV. Now we have our very own South African version, on DStv's Channel 127 on Thursdays at 9pm.

Into their homes we go! In Soweto, best friends Eslina and Mirriam are watching TV in the house where Mirriam, a domestic worker, was born over 60 years ago. In Orchards, Ian and Pippa - a couple for 45 years - talk like ageing aristocrats, and Ian likes his TV with a dash of whisky.

The show's participants watch the same TV shows - on DStv only, awkwardly - in their separate locales, so the producers can cut between them for reactions. Watching a US reality show in which contestants give truthful answers to uncomfortable questions for money, Pippa calmly told Ian: "If anyone gave me $100,000 to leave you, I would leave." He shot back: "I'd do it for $25." Viewing one of the Spud movies, mother Portia turned to her young daughter Rendani. "You'll never kiss a boy, ne?" she inquired meaningfully. Wordlessly, her daughter shook her head.

When the participants watched a news bulletin about chaos on North-West University campus, nobody seemed inclined to defend violent protest action. "Why would they do that?" was the refrain. Couple Travis and Giselle turned to each other after the bulletin. "Still love my country," Travis said. "Still wouldn't live anywhere else in the world," Giselle replied. After a dose of Gogglebox's feelgood vibes, you may just agree.

Catch the South African version of 'Gogglebox' on DStv's Channel 127 on Thursdays at 9pm.