Maurice Levin throws some ink on the settling dust of MAN's pilot episode:
MAN’s cracking Mavericks launch, several top-notch radio interviews, Noeleen’s 3Talk, then the show proper last Friday night and the J&B Met to come has meant I have hardly had time to put pen to paper.
Some of the notable fall-outs from the show that have made me laugh, in no particular order: switching on my Blackberry at the end of Noeleen to find 34 Facebook friend requests, an email from a close friend to inform me, in serious tone, that she and her boyfriend loved each other and money issues play no part in their relationship (from a Noeleen comment I’d made moments earlier), a comment from a bloke while I was shopping at Sandton City (“I think your show is crap but my daughter thinks you’re hot!”) And this is what I want so dearly, stirring debate. The show captured ‘genuine life”, all four of the cast need to ‘own’ all the comments we made because nobody told us to utter them. Often I feel that the prickly feedback we get is because we’re saying what every other man (and woman) wants to say but is fearful of the consequences. And a show like MAN is a dynamic, living thing, when furious debate ceases and people have nothing to say, we worry. Knowing what is to be dished up in the next 12 weeks, I envisage some furious typing on blogs nationwide and at www.mantv.co.za.
But enough of the serious stuff. So you know I can’t paddle to save my life, my date wasn’t as hot as Kaizer’s, I said a few cheesy things at the top of the Ritz Hotel, and I used to be scared of vagina! Whenever I eat steamed mussels, I liken the bearded clams to a woman’s bits. Frightening at first sight, but delicious once you happen upon a fragrant one. Just two nights ago in Jozi, I spent some…ag never mind!
I am really looking to episode 2, which explores metrosexuality in fine detail. I actually bought some great skin stuff from Metropolitain in Sandton City, South Africa’s answer to Sephora in the USA or Space NK in the UK. I got some cool shaving stuff too. Saw Carlos Spencer shopping for furniture, he’s the All Black legend who signed to play for the Lions in Johannesburg. Am pissed off that Mickey Arthur got fired, he was damn good. Stupid politics is the ruination of SA sport.
And bring on the Met. There is something about waspy women in hats and dresses, looking all prim at 1pm. By 4pm, with jugs of Pimms and vodka swirling their bloodstream, feet dirty from the loose Kenilworth sand, betting formalities over, and Roger Goode in fine fettle, they’re a different story. Then all manner of gymnastics takes place behind the gleaming white marquees. In fact some of the action takes place in full view of the punters too.
I look forward to seeing you all there.
Maurice
