TAHIDI HIGH

If there was a local Kenyan show to be addicted to this would be it. It's the best we have. Over the years local productions have always been stereotyped and stereocast but this programme has always remained fresh and surprisingly entertaining.

The cast has a fantastic dialogue. I have always insisted the key to a programme is the screenplay followed by the storyline. Rarely do you have ten minute pauses within each sentence uttered or cheap incidental music to occupy time and dialogue. There is a smooth flow in acting unlike other local programmes where you can tell one is waiting to deliver the next line. We need spontanous flow...perhaps its bad directing as opposed to bad writing...but we never care since we shall always dismiss it as "typical of Kenyan progs."

I watched "Mother in Law" that premiered this Sunday and I do not see this show lasting very long. Again we have familiar faces that have been recycled into this new show. Cheap dialogue and their flow between english and swahili was not smooth leave alone natural. Why would someone cast an actor from "Better Days" and not want to hire fresh faces? So if "Better days" returns what happens?

I'm I the only that sees the folly in recycling?

Citizen has made an effort to promote and produce local shows...but none stands in comparison to Tahidi High. Besides the writing, I think the cast does an amazing job. The likes of "Omosh" to the bad boys "OJ" and "Freddie" ..."Principal Morgan"..."Joni"...though some are recycled products of French Cultural Centre- they are nonetheless not common on T.V and play their roles very well.

Kudos to Tahidi High and the entire team. It is fresh and funny. Oozes originality and plenty of potential. Only loophole is this is a High School Drama and time factor is usually the worst thing to happen to a show running on an actual time line. So what happens to the star-characters of the show when they finish High School?