African Couch Potato

Gino Shelile
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African Couch Potato is a South African perspective on all things film and television. Hosted by award-winning TV producer, Gino Shelile, it mashes up in-studio interviews with industry professionals, titles to check out each week, a current film or series review, and a look at old movies that are worth rewatching.

  1. 2D AGO

    S3 Ep25 RIP DJ Warras, Love + Wine, Man vs Baby, Knives Out, Genesis Christmas Special

    The season of goodwill is upon us, yet sadly, we start this episode with the horrific shooting of DJ Warras. Gino takes some time to reflect on this tragic event. Moving on, this week sees Gino relating his adventures from his hilarious recent roadtrip to Mozambique, where just about everything that could go wrong, did! Surviving the trip, Gino takes a look at the new Netflix release: Love and Wine, the story of a rich guy working for his dad's company, who falls for a med student and pretends to be poor like her. His lie spirals into a mess of comedy and touching moments. There's more comedy with How to Ruin Love - Suspecting infidelity, Zoleka plans to catch her boyfriend in the act, only to ruin her own surprise proposal. Now she must win him back. And comedic royalty Rowan Atkinson is back with Man vs Baby which picks up after Man vs Bee. This time Trevor (Atkinson) is now looking after a luxurious London penthouse, with another unlikely, un-asked-for companion. The third installment of Knives Out, titled Wake Up Deadman revives Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc, who is called to investigate the death of a prominent clergyman during a church service, with the entire congregation present and all of them potential suspects. This neatly takes us to the Genesis - In The Garden Concert on Boxing Day, featuring not only members of the Genesis cast but also some of the top gospel singers around.  And on that note, African Couch Potato wishes you a joyous and peaceful festive season. For those that need to know - Florestinha do Índico means Little Forest of the Indian Ocean 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 twitter.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 © SANTE MEDIA 2025

    14 min

  2. DEC 15

    S3 Ep24 Luto Mpunga

    Luto Mpunga is a South African social media personality and content creator known for her activity on TikTok, sharing videos featuring personal moments, humour, and music-related content. She is also part of the Director's Guild of South Africa. In this episode we grabbed a few minutes with her, via Zoom, to chat about the DGSA Creatives Awards. The Creatives Awards is a groundbreaking event that sets a new gold standard for recognizing and celebrating the brilliance, innovation, and artistic excellence within South Africa’s film and television industry. The main awards ceremony will be happening next year in March Luto also talks about her earlier years in the modelling industry which led to her becoming a coach, training toddlers and teenagers in modeling and life skills for fashion shows, and her ultimate goal, which is to be an actress.  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 twitter.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 © SANTE MEDIA 2025

    15 min

  3. DEC 8

    S3 Ep23 Sibusiso Mthiya

    Sibusiso Mthiya is a South African media personality, producer, and presenter known for hosting inspirational shows and it was a pleasure to welcome him to the studio for a chat with Gino about his career and his plans for the future, as well as talking openly about his faith and growing up without a present father figure . Sibusiso might be known to older listeners from his days on Kideo and YoTv Land where he started at the age of 6 years old. He talks to Gino about those early days and how celebrity status is no longer what it was. From his days as a child star, he stayed in the entertainment industry where he has popped up as an actor, a radio DJ and more recently as a producer.  Sibusiso is involved with SID Media, hosting programs that combine music, inspirational conversations, and community engagement. He is also heavily involved with Hope Channel Africa as Head of Content and Programming. His newest venture is Khula Ndoda, a new podcast born out of a passion to mentor and guide young boys through the challenges of adolescence. Developed with a dedicated team in South Africa, the podcast aims to offer support and guidance to young men navigating the complexities of growing up. 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 twitter.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 © SANTE MEDIA 2025

    29 min

  4. DEC 1

    S3 Ep22 Hello December

    December is here, Christmas is round the corner and so are the holidays. And how are we going to kick off the celebrations? With a resounding win by the Springboks. For the first time, Gino got to watch the Boks with his Dad on his birthday. And how? Because DStv has unlocked the Premium package to all Compact subscribers until the end of December, but only on the decoder, not DStv Stream. ACP has a look at the Open Chats Podcast which scored a win with the South African Social Media Awards (SASMA) which took place recently. In case you were wondering, Gino gives a rundown of the top 10 (music) videos that racked up a billion views the fastest on YT. And before you hit the pool or the beach, here's some watchlists to keep you occupied.    On Netflix Stranger Things - Season 5 - One Last AdventureKevin Hart - Acting My Age - In his latest stand-up special, Kevin Hart hilariously tackles middle-age challengesTroll 2 - Nora, Andreas and Captain Kris leap back into action when a dangerous new troll awakes - and this time they'll need more help to take it down.All The Empty Rooms - A seven-year-long project to document the empty bedrooms of children killed in school shootings.One Piece, Season 32, Egghead Arc -Rubber-bodied dreamer Monkey D. Luffy gathers an eclectic pirate crew and braves the perilous Grand Line, battling tyrants and monsters to become King of the Pirates.Coming Soon Love and Wine - Childhood friends trade lives to see who can find true love. Sean Combs - The Reckoning - A revealing look at Sean Combs' journey from music mogul to controversial figure.Man vs Baby - Rowan Atkinson is now looking after a luxurious London penthouse, with another unlikely, un-asked-for companion.Simon Cowel:The Next Act -Simon Cowell's journey to create a hit boy bandWake Up Dead Man - Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet.and on Showmax Novocaine - When the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, a man incapable of feeling physical pain turns his rare condition into an unexpected advantage in the fight to rescue her.The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - Africa - You know there's gonna be fighting!The Chair Company - Follows a man who investigates a conspiracy after an embarrassing incident at work.Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning - With governments and a figure from his past in pursuit, Hunt races to stop it from forever changing the world.Drop -A widowed mother's first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she's bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone.En 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 twitter.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 © SANTE MEDIA 2025

    15 min

  5. NOV 24

    S3 Ep21 Nikki Comninos on True Crime Documentaries

    The war is over, but the silence remains. The South African Border War left broken nations and haunted lives. Unspoken War reveals the hidden cost of a conflict few speak about and even fewer truly understand. This week Gino gets the chance to talk, via Zoom, in depth with the docuseries director Nikki Comninos. Born in Zimbabwe with a father in political exile and a mother busy covering war as a foreign correspondent, it is no real surprise that Nikki would end up working on documentaries. And what a list that is.   Gino and Nikki discuss from 2004's Algemeen Befokte Afrikaans through to last year's Tracking Thabo Bester, and of course, her latest work Unspoken War, a 6-part documentary now streaming on Showmax and also on Mnet.   While the war essentially took place from 1966 to 1989, very few people are aware of the details of it, as it's almost never spoken about, hence the title. As Niiki says, "Almost everybody has a connection to the war, and anybody we spoke to almost felt like they needed to get something off their chest. 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 twitter.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 © SANTE MEDIA 2025

    27 min

  6. NOV 17

    S3 Ep20 Global Creative Summit & Everything Else

    Episode 20 of ACP found Gino in a sartorial spin when he was invited to speak at the inaugural Global Creative Summit that just happened in Johannesburg, but more on that later. We kick off the ep with a couple of reviews. First up is Boots on Netflix. based on the book The Pink Marine. This is the story of a gay teen who joins the Marine Corps in the late 70s. A brave move by anybody's standards; homosexuality being a big no-no in the US military at that time.   "I have done everything" claims the next subject under Gino's scrutiny. Being Eddie highlights Eddie Murphy's unique ability to reinvent himself throughout his nearly 50-year career, and his impact on the entertainment industry. Check out Gino's Top Ten Eddie Murphy movies Life with Martin LawrenceComing To AmericaThe Nutty ProfessorDream GirlsDaddy Day CareShrekDr DolittleMeet DaveYou PeopleBeverly Hills Cop Axel F.Ok, the summit. Timed to coincide with the G20, the Global Creative Summit positioned Africa’s creative economy alongside the world’s leading economic agenda. Clever! The three-day event fixed around five creative areas where Africa is pushing the boundaries: music, film & television, fashion & design, gaming & digital arts, and publishing & literature. Each sector was explored through panel discussions (including Gino) aimed at unlocking growth and investment. Lastly a throwback in two senses. One, a feature that we used to do; the Golden Oldie, and two, back to 2011, with 50/50. Inspired by a true story, this poignant comedy centres on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease. And that's all she wrote... Don't miss next week when Gino chats to Nikki Comninos, director of Unspoken War.  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 twitter.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 © SANTE MEDIA 2025

    17 min

  7. NOV 10

    S3 Ep19 News, Views and Reviews

    Welcome to Episode 19 of ACP and do we have news for you. This week, Gino deals with his son's birthday, faces up to Frankenstein and looks forward to the King of Pop on the silver screen First up, while finding animé content for his son's birthday, Gino finds out that ratings vary from country to country and that what is ok in one country is definitely not suitable in others.   Next, after months of waiting, director Guillermo del Toro's ambitious adaptation of author Mary Shelley's classic horror, Frankenstein, rises from the slab on Netflix. The big news is that the long-awaited Michael is finally happening in April next year, "tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson 5 to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world." You heard it here first. Showmax has released the trailer for Masinga - The Calling, due out early December. This edgy crime thriller explores an exiled Zulu detective's return to his homeland, where he is forced to confront the demons of his youth. Plus news of the GEMA awards, honouring innovation and outstanding achievements in TV and streaming marketing. And get ready for a true blast from the past with the rollout of a red carpet of iconic favourites at Ster-Kinekor this month. Plenty of stuff to take your mind off the gloomy weather. 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 twitter.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 © SANTE MEDIA 2025

    17 min

  8. NOV 3

    S3 Ep18 News, Views and Reviews

    November is here already, and to welcome it in Gino takes a quick look at whats hot and happening on the local scene. We kick off the episode with a couple of reviews; Bad Influencer on Netflix is a drama centred round celebs buying and selling faux gear, followed by Slay Queens on Showmax. This docuseries picks up on first-hand accounts of those ladies who hook up for cash. In the news, the SABC TV licence crisis is not getting any better, while Multichoice's Shaka iLembe scored big on the job front. Finally, what to look out for on Netflix: The Big C - A suburban mother faces her cancer diagnosis while trying to find humor and happiness as well. My Sister's Husband - Amara deceitfully pawns her sister off to her husband which leads to a marital quagmire. Just Alice - A resourceful wife leads a double life, expertly juggling separate households and husbands while trying to keep her elaborate charade from falling apart. Unspeakable Things - Leanne Morgan discusses her rise to fame, family matters, and her one-time CBD experience.  Being Eddie - Follows a comprehensive look at Eddie Murphy's life and career.  while on Showmax: Outlaws S2 - Set in the lush but lawless land on the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal, Outlaws is the story of two families at war with each other The Unspoken War - In 1993, four years after the last shots were fired in the "Border War", a peaceful end to apartheid was negotiated. Drop - A widowed mother's first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she's bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone. Last Breath - A true story that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crew mate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface. High Ground - When a mysterious prisoner lands in his jail, a border town sheriff faces the wrath of a brutal cartel in this action-packed thriller. That should keep you going for a while - enjoy! 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 twitter.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 © SANTE MEDIA 2025

    12 min
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About

African Couch Potato is a South African perspective on all things film and television. Hosted by award-winning TV producer, Gino Shelile, it mashes up in-studio interviews with industry professionals, titles to check out each week, a current film or series review, and a look at old movies that are worth rewatching.

Information

  • Creator
    Gino Shelile
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 African Couch Potato
  • Show Website
    African Couch Potato