African Couch Potato

The end of July and thoughts are already turning to spring and warmer temperatures. Hi and welcome to ACP, still your number one spot for what's happening in the world of film and TV.
In this ep, Gino casts his eye across the latest in the dating world as season 3 of Married at First Sight hits DStv Stream, and, adding some local flavour, Mageza Wants A Wife - follows a taxi driver who spends time with 10 young singles in the hope of also finding a forever connection. So good to have something that showcases the township side of SA, rather than the usual "yawn, yawn" places.
Gino also takes a quick look at what you can look forward to on Netflix, which has a whole stack of stuff coming up:
Mourinho - documentary about Jose Mourinho
72 Hours - comedy with Kevin Hart
Various Comedy Specials - look out for Rory Scovel, Kelsey Cook and Mary Beth Barone 
Umthetho - SA drama with Nqobile Nunu and Tony Kgoroge 
Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy - Mo Gilligan leads a documentary look into the fried chicken industry
Let's Marry Harry - Dating show with Harry Jowsey
The Last House - a psychological thriller 
The Idaho Murders College Nightmare - a documentary murder investigation 
It's not often that you get something for free, but Amazon is running a 30-day free trial, which Gino used to check out Project Hail Mary  and, would you believe it?, Tyler Perry's Finding Joy.
And finally, we mourn the tragic passing of 18 year old actress Kaylee Hottle, known for the last two "Godzilla" movies, where she played an orphaned girl named Jia who sees beyond Kong’s threatening appearance and learns to communicate with him through sign language.
Next time we hook up with the director of Shaken & Stirred, a flair bartending documentary.
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Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:
instagram.com/africancouchpotato
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gino.arlechino@gmail.com
WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 
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https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato 
Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay
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© SANTE MEDIA 2026

A mixture of highs and lows in the latest episode of African Couch Potato. We reflect on the loss of actor and gospel singer, Seputla Sebogodi, and footballer Jayden Adams. 
Best known for his role as Kenneth Mashaba in Generations, Seputla Sebogodi appeared in many well known productions, including Scandal! and Suburban Bliss, among others. as well as releasing a number of gospel albums. Only weeks before his passing, he premiered his new play Black Moon, at the National Arts Festival.
And we also pay tribute to Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder,  Jayden Adams, just weeks after he helped South Africa reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the very first time.
And speaking of the World Cup, it's done - Viva España!
So, next up are the Springboks, who have already soundly beaten England, Scotland and Wales over the last few weeks, but on the horizon is the incoming All Blacks tour. Gino reflects on where best to watch Bok rugby.  
And for something completely different, head for Disney+ to get up close with Hammerhead Sharks, and find out why it all reminded Gino of Moana. “You will board my boat, sail across the sea...”
And don't forget our crowdfunding campaign to bring you ACP in all its technicolour glory, so you can watch as well as listen. There's a heap of rewards, depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. You know it's the right thing to do!  
Yes? No? Send us a text
Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:
instagram.com/africancouchpotato
x.com/africancouchpot
gino.arlechino@gmail.com
WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 
YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube 
https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato 
Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay
CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7

© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Welcome to African Couch Potato, SA's top audio podcast celebrating African film and television, according to Feedspot.com. 
Music has long been celebrated for its power to inspire, but for Thulani “Fosta” Headman, it became the foundation for rebuilding a life, a life now featured in a new documentary. 
Premiering at the Durban International Film Festival on 24 July, FOSTA follows Thulani's story from former Langa gang member and Pollsmoor prisoner to internationally recognised DJ, mentor, and community leader. Gino joined Thulani, via Zoom, to get some insight into how this documentary came to be, and to give you a taste of what FOSTA is all about. 
Thulani talks of his early family life growing up in the company of some of South Africa's top musicians, and how that background became such a driving force for him, through his experience in Pollsmoor, to his part in the creation of a learning space in Langa, the Bridges Academy, that has helped transform opportunities for young creatives in the community, offering access to world-class technology, mentorship and education.
Thirteen years in the making, FOSTA premiers at the Durban International Film Festival on 24 July. 
And before we go, a reminder of our crowdfunding campaign to bring you ACP in all its technicolour glory, so you can watch as well as listen. There's a heap of rewards, depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. Every little bit helps.  
Yes? No? Send us a text
Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:
instagram.com/africancouchpotato
x.com/africancouchpot
gino.arlechino@gmail.com
WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 
YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube 
https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato 
Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay
CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7

© SANTE MEDIA 2026

July, and it is freezing in Jozi. Last week, ACP was invited to a special screening of Dear Sis Dolly, a brand new movie about Drum Magazine, and more specifically one of South Africa's most trusted voices, Sis Dolly, Drum's agony-aunt.   
Gino grabbed his chance and his phone to catch a few moments at the screening with the film's acclaimed director Twiggy Matiwana. This comedy drama is now showing at all Ster-Kinekors.
Speaking of Ster-Kinekor, they have relaunched Throwback Cinema, so you can rewatch classics like: 
Stuart Little
Annie
The Hobbit 
Gone With the Wind
And if you download their app or hit their website, sterkinekor.com, you can find the latest releases, including:
Toy Story
Moana
Supergirl
Minions and Monsters 
The Death of Robin Hood 
Disclosure Day 
Jackass: Best and Last 
Scary Movie
Spider-man: Brand New Day  
Gino also brings you up to date with where he is with The Bear, and there's a new South African family drama on Netflix. The Four of Us centres on the influential Dhlomo family in which the usual issues threaten to tear the family apart. Hot stuff - and exactly what we need with the temperatures right now. 
And finally, a reminder of our new crowdfunding campaign to help us bring you ACP in glorious video, so you can watch as well as listen. There's a stack of rewards, depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. Every little bit helps.  
Stay Warm! 
Yes? No? Send us a text
Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:
instagram.com/africancouchpotato
x.com/africancouchpot
gino.arlechino@gmail.com
WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 
YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube 
https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato 
Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay
CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7

© SANTE MEDIA 2026

Firstly, a massive congratulations to Bafana Bafana, SA's national team for qualifying for the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup, alas, that is as far as it goes. 
With the football done, it's an episode of reviews, kicking off with what has become a global sensation, The Polygamist. The South African hit telenovela follows Jonasi Gomora, a self-made CEO and banker, whose carefully curated empire begins to unravel as his wife, secret second wife, mistress, and girlfriend fight for his life and wealth. 
Sandwiched between The Polygamist and the latest Avatar, Gino does some catching up by diving into The Bear, although he's only managed Season 1 as yet. 
From food to fantasy, and Gino gets over himself to sit through the entire 3 hours 17 minutes of the ongoing happenings of the Blue people.
And finally, back home again, as we head to this afternoon's film critics screening of the fresh new look at the legendary Drum magazine's agony aunt Dear Sis Dolly.
Plus a reminder of our new crowdfunding campaign to help us bring you ACP in glorious video, so you can watch as well as listen. There's a stack of rewards, depending on your donations. Check that out at  Thundafund - African Couch Potato. Every little bit helps.  
So, who's gonna make it past the last 16?
Yes? No? Send us a text
Let us know what you think, what movie or series you would like to see featured, or just to tell us how brilliant it all is:
instagram.com/africancouchpotato
x.com/africancouchpot
gino.arlechino@gmail.com
WhatsApp Channel: Mzansi Film News, Views and Reviews 
YouTube; African Couch Potato - YouTube 
https://www.patreon.com/c/AfricanCouchPotato 
Gino Shelile’s profile • Letterboxd
Member of the Film Critics Association of South Africa (FCASA)

Produced by Ted Loukes and A10 Consulting
ted@aten.co.za

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay
CHqjHqS2RAMkVSeydGo7

© SANTE MEDIA 2026