Kings & Queens of Comedy: Celebrating 13 Years of Laughter

Joey Rasdien

For over a decade, Kings & Queens of Comedy has been the gold standard of South African stand-up, uniting audiences with laughter and showcasing the best comedic talent the country has to offer. Now, as the brand celebrates 13 years, it returns with a line-up that pays tribute to its roots while embracing the evolution of comedy.

Mark your calendars for two unmissable nights of stand-up royalty on 5 April at Durban ICC and at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg on 12 April when Kings & Queens of Comedy marks this milestone with a show that blends nostalgia, legacy, and fresh, fearless humour.

Durban line-up (in association with East Coast Radio): Darren Maule, Alfred Adriaan, Darren Simpson, Trevor Gumbi, Annalakshmi, Angel Campey, Muthu Murugan, Khanyisa Bunu, Joey Rasdien, Conrad Koch & Chester Missing and Chris Forrest,

Johannesburg line-up: Darren ‘Wackhead’ Simpson, Alfred Adriaan, Annalakshmi, Angel Campey, Muthu Murugan, Khanyisa Bunu, Joey Rasdien, Tracey-Lee Oliver, Chris Forrest and Conrad Koch & Chester Missing.

Continue reading

Dricus Du Plessis: The Confidence Behind Curve Fragrances

Curve Fragrances, proudly marketed by Elizabeth Arden, is excited to announce its partnership with UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis for its fragrance portfolio in South Africa. As the first South African to win a UFC Middleweight championship title, Dricus embodies Curve’s bold and confident spirit, living life on his own terms and pushing beyond boundaries.


“At Curve Fragrances, we believe that confidence isn’t something you’re given—it’s something you create. It’s about moving forward, evolving, and owning your space in the world. Dricus Du Plessis embodies this spirit perfectly. His journey—from rising through the ranks to becoming South Africa’s first UFC Middleweight Champion—reflects sheer determination, discipline, and an unbreakable mindset. He is the definition of what it means to be #ConfidentWithCurve. Life is full of curveballs, and how you handle them truly defines you.”— Maggie Wang, Head of Marketing, Elizabeth Arden & CDH Fragrances.

Continue reading

Vote for Your Favorite Comedian at the Savanna Comedy Awards 2025

Get ready for a night of laughter, legends, and a little bit of chaos (the good kind) as we unveil the powerhouse duo steering the comedy ship at the 12th Annual Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards: none other than Nina Hastie and Carvin H Goldstone.

These two comedy titans will take the stage as your hosts, armed with razor-sharp wit, undeniable charm, and a talent for keeping audiences on their toes (and in stitches). With Nina’s fearless, no holds barred humour and Carvin’s storytelling genius, we’re in for an unforgettable night at The Lyric Theatre on Saturday, 12 April 2025.

A night like this deserves an epic cast, and in addition to our amazing MCs, we’re delivering just that. Bringing the funny are some of SA’s top comedic talents, including:

  • Mashabela Galane – The king of vernac comedy, ready to drop punchlines that’ll have you gasping for air.
  • Kagiso KG Mokgadi – His deadpan delivery is sharper than your grandma’s tongue on a Sunday morning.
  • Céline Tshika – Serving laughs, class, and a side of absolute sass.
  • Mel Jones – A comedic powerhouse with stories so relatable, you’ll wonder if she’s been spying on your life.
  • Thabiso Mhlongo – A fresh voice with fresh takes and a knack for turning the mundane into the hilarious.
  • Bexta – Bringing the heat with fast-paced, punchline-packed stand-up.

And many more still to be announced!

Continue reading

Mike White Discusses The White Lotus: Fresh Storylines in Season 3

With new episodes of The White Lotus hitting Showmax and M-Net every Monday, Jim Halterman caught up with Mike White to find out more about writing, directing and executive producing the hit HBO show, which has won 15 Emmys so far and has already been renewed for a fourth season. 

Why Thailand this season?

Originally, I wanted to shoot in Japan. I’ve spent more time there and I just had a vision for doing it in Japan. 

Then we got to Thailand and obviously it’s such a lovely country and the people charmed us. Then I had a weird experience where I got very sick with some kind of bronchitis and they put me on a nebuliser, which I’d never been on before, and it kept me awake for 48 hours. In those 48 hours, the whole season came to me, so after I got better, I came to the producers and said, “I think I just came up with the season and it’s in Thailand.’ 

Obviously, Japan is amazing and it would be incredible to shoot there, but it turned out to be such a great decision to shoot in Thailand and very life changing.

I’ve read a lot of Buddhism in my life for whatever reason, so the idea that Season 3 would be in a Buddhist country and grapple with some of the concepts of the Buddhist religion excited me. 

How do you keep The White Lotus feeling fresh each season? 

For the show to feel fresh, it needs to either expand or shift or change. The first season was a lot about privilege and a kind of upstairs/downstairs thing with the employees and the guests and the comedy of that. And then, when we were in Italy [for Season 2], the theme was more about sex and the dynamic between men and women. This season is dealing with more religion and spirituality and God, so the show itself and the kind of stories that these characters are facing are a little bit more existential and tragic. 

Continue reading

Watch E! Live From The Red Carpet: Oscars 2025

Hollywood’s biggest night is almost here, and E! is rolling out the red carpet for the 97th Academy Awards. Airing live on Sunday, 2 March 2025 at 23:00 (CAT) on E! (DStv 124), E! Live From The Red Carpet: Oscars 2025 will give viewers an exclusive front-row seat to the exciting buildup, the unforgettable fashion, and the star-studded arrivals.

Directly after E! Live From The Red Carpet: Oscars 2025, viewers can also tune into Red Carpet Rundown: Oscars 2025. In this 30-minute special, the hosts will provide behind-the-scenes insights, offering an entertaining and informative dive into the world of red-carpet fashion. Packed with interviews and insider details, the episode is sure to set the stage for a night filled with style and sophistication.

On Sunday 2 March, the E! hosts will be on the ground at the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, capturing every dazzling moment as cinema’s brightest stars make their grand entrances. With on-camera interviews and live reactions, the E! special programming will give fans an insider’s look at Hollywood’s most celebrated stars.

Continue reading