29 September 2010 (2010-09-29)[1] – April 2015 (2015-04)[3]
Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola (Late Nite News or LNN) is a South African late-nightsatirical news television series that aired weekly on e.tv and eNCA from September 2010 to April 2015.[3][4][5] The show, featuring a variety of local stand-up comedians, was created by comedians Loyiso Gola and Kagiso Lediga, and Producer Tamsin Andersson. It was launched in 2010.[5][6][7] It is a collaboration between private broadcaster eNCA and production company Diprente.[8]
Format, cast and crew
Gola in 2011
LNN is anchored by Gola,[4] who was born in the Cape Towntownship of Gugulethu in 1983,[9][10] and directed by Kagiso Lediga,[7][11] who was born in the Pretoria township of Atteridgeville in 1978.[12][13] The show is produced by Tamsin Andersson.[4]
Regulars appearing on the show include Ugandan-born comedian David Kibuuka in the role of foreign correspondent,[5][14] and political commentator Chester Missing, who is a puppet handled by ventriloquist Conrad Koch.[4][15][16] Musical comedian Deep Fried Man collaborates with guest artists performing the "Morale Index", a musical version of the high and low points of the week's news.[17][18] Comical headlines appear on a scrolling news ticker during the show.[2][19]
LNN predominantly provides humorous commentary by young black South African comedians on the lack of progress in the country despite the anti-apartheid struggle.[7][10][15] The LNN team consider themselves to be politically objective;[19][20] their motto is to "speak truth to power and make fun of everyone equally".[11] Gola told the Daily Sun that the show reflects his views on current issues.[21] He said he wanted to encourage people to take an interest in politics and question the status quo.[5][19][20] In an interview for the Daily Maverick, Gola said: "We as a country have to think of our own creative ways to get out of the situation we're in."[22]Men's Health describes Gola as "a genuine thinker masquerading as a fool and the reluctant voice of a cynical generation".[20] Gola and Kibuuka have publicly thanked President Jacob Zuma and former African National Congress Youth League president Julius Malema for supplying them with comedy material.[8][23]
^ abcdBrodie, Nechama (21 December 2010). "Late night laughs catch on". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
^ abSosibo, Kwanele (13 September 2013). "Serious! The news is a joke". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
^"Kagiso Lediga". Comedy Central Africa. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
^ abcSchutters, Lindsey (19 June 2014). "Loyiso Gola Pulls No Punches". Men's Health. Rodale Inc. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
