Gareth Cliff likes it in Sandton
RIVONIA - Gareth Cliff made his live TV debut on Comedy Central on 1 May.
This after resigning from the SABC radio station, 5FM, to start his own entertaining, edgy, innovative and original venture at a studio in Rivonia, Sandton. The ex-5FM DJ and SA Idols judge combines radio and TV into one in The Gareth Cliff Show Live on Comedy Central.
“It can be very frustrating to work with someone else, and I am not rubbishing the SABC,” he said. “I can do what I want, I am free here, I am my own boss and I can give other people an opportunity to do their own thing.”
His team is made up of the familiar voices and faces he worked with at 5FM, namely Mabale Moloi, Leigh-Ann Mol, Damon Kalvari and Siya Sangweni-Fynn. He describes his new undertaking as “unradio”. He explained, “It is going to be radio everywhere, except on radio. We’re on TV, we’re on the Internet, we’re on mobile, we’re on podcast and eventually we’ll have a DMX audio channel on DSTV.”
Cliff said the initial plan was to have the studios in the Sandton CBD because he and his team were offered a free studio there. “We liked this place because it has a satellite link from London, which is what we need for Comedy Central,” he explained. “It all worked out really well in the end and Rivonia is a very happening place, it is a part of Sandton, and Sandton is where it is at in Johannesburg,” said Cliff.
He is looking for new talent to join him. “We want to give everybody a chance,” said Cliff. “At the moment we’re running auditions and so far we have found amazing talent. I can see us going 24 hours a day eventually. We need to start small, we need to start somewhere. We don’t have a lot of money. We’ll have a variety of people being a part of the show.”
The first week’s list of guests included controversial Economic Freedom Front leader Julius Malema, comedian Kagiso Lediga and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.
“People can do and say things here that they were never allowed to before,” said Cliff. “It is very exciting. Part of this for me is creating an opportunity for young people. Politicians don’t create jobs for people, places like this do.”
Details: CliffCentral; www.cliffcentral.com
