Top Billing (TV show)
| Top Billing | |
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Top Billing logo
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| Genre | lifestyle cuisine travel entertainment wedding home decor fashion celebrity |
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Basetsana Khumalo, Patience Stevens |
| Location(s) | South Africa |
| Editor(s) | Hayden Fortmann |
| Running time | 60 min. (approx.) |
| Production company(s) | SABC3 |
| Release | |
| Original network | SABC3 DSTV:193 |
| First shown in | 1996 |
| External links | |
| www |
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| Production website | |
Top Billing is a South African lifestyle television programme that airs on SABC3 on Thursday evenings from 20:30 - 21:30 and repeats on Sunday at 12:00. It was founded by Basetsana Kumalo and Patience Stevens, who own the Tswelopele Production company. The show is the longest-running lifestyle programme in South Africa, broadcasting since 1996. In addition to a variety of presenters, there is a voice-over guide throughout the programme. A magazine of the same name was launched in March 2004, containing similar content to the show.
The weekly show genres in beauty, fashion, food, home decor, travel and weddings. Different local and international celebrities are interviewed each week and a designer home is featured as part of the show. International celebrities such as property tycoon Donald Trump's spouse, Ivana Trump, have been featured on the show, as well as Hollywood actor and Beverly Hills doctor, Dr. Rey. Local celebrities such as rugby player Bryan Habana, singer Tamara Dey and Muvhango actress Ntahbiseng Mphahlele have been given equal attention. Popular events such as awards ceremonies and fashion runway shows are showcased. Presenters travel to locations around the world and often partake in exclusive activities such as sky-diving, skiing, and scuba-diving. Food and wine pairings are also presented, and exclusive weddings are attended.
People who dislike Top Billing base their hostility on the "questionable ethics" that "dressed presenters will sit down alone to a meal prepared for them in a luxurious setting. This in a country where people are going hungry.". Others complain that the content featured in the lifestyle programme are unaffordable to the average viewer. On the contrary, Top Billing producers affirm that Top Billing is aimed at "giving South Africans hopes" that they too can achieve those luxuries that they see on the programme.
Tswelopele Productions is a production company equally owned by Basetsana Kumalo and Patience Stevens. After the success of Top Billing, Tswelopele has starting producing additional local productions such as Afrikaans lifestyle programme Pasella, SiSwati youth show Ses'khona, travel series Top Travel, Top Dogs and No Reservations.
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