FELIX BRIAN ONYANGO'S PROGRAMME CRITIQUE ON BEBA BEBA

BEBA BEBA
INTRODUCTION
. Beba Beba is a local comedy aired on NTV on Tuesday night from 8:30-9:00p.m. The programme is approximately twenty two minutes without the advertisements. The programme’s main target is the youth in Kenya, a testimony to this is the extensive use of the Sheng language jargon. Matatu appearing on the show is certainly cool one because of the graffiti present.I chose to critique Beba beba as its timeslot is most convenient for me. I find it quite captivating. Local productions have been known to have a knack of mediocre production a times but I salute the crew of beba beba for their concerted efforts that show clearly when the program is aired. The programme evolves around:
i) Mr. Tembo. A middle aged man who tries to juggle parenthood and at the same time make sure his Matatu business.does not run to the ground as it is his main source of livelihood.Thus the programme derives its title from the Mr Tembo’s business.
ii) Mrs. Tembo. She is Mr. Tembo’s wife and also a housewife and her character is evolves around being the family issue solver and ensure that there are no hitches in the house.
iii) Angel. The firstborn daughter in her late twenties. She is self-motivated and cannot let anything or anyone come in between her and her future set goals.
iv) Job. The last born son. A form four leaver and is trying to self-actualize himself. He aspires to be a famous rapper in future. He has no hope in education. He has been to many colleges soul searching and clearly has not found what suits him. He is adamantly has a point to his parents that he can make it in the entertainment industry especially as a local musician. His parents however do not approve of their son becoming a local musician.
v) Sifrosa. Mrs.Tembo’s friend. She is also a shrewd business woman and a devout Christian. She embodies equality and is seen to clearly trying to solve people’s quarrels amicably. She is loving and caring. This is evidenced by the fact that she is living with her niece who happens to be an orphan.
vi) Vokezz. The matatu’s conductor. He enjoys his job as he is always concerned when the boss (Mr. Tembo) does not want them to work. He is optimistic as he has hopes for one day becoming something better in life but for now he is content. He makes the programme livelier with his altered language (sheng) that always leaves people stunned and confused.
vii) Banda. He is the matatu’s driver. When the boss is not around he acts like the boss and bosses Vokezz around. He sounds more intelligent than vokezz which he uses as an upper hand to intimidate others. Just like Vokkezz loves his job but aspires to be something better in future.
viii) Majengo. He is a maize hawker along the road. He is fun-loving and fond of makingrib-cracking jokes of the working class who pass by to buy maize and at the same time unveil all their troubles to him. He proclaims himself to be a therapist.
ix) General. He is Mr. and Mrs. Tembo’s neighbor. He is quite annoying and spends most of his day in their house. He is an old man who has retired. He is always trying to solve other people’s problems instead of first solving his. This is finding something to do after retirement.

CRITIQUE
SEASON 2: EPISODE 3
This episode kicks off with Mr. Tembo and Mrs. Tembo debating about the matatu business and how the business has headed for the doldrums, with less returns from the business. However, that is not the case, due to the fact that Vokkez and Banda have been swindling some money for their own personal good and feigning it on the rise in fuel prices. Immediately thereafter Angel goes to Jobo’s room to find out why he was still sleeping and he was already late for college. She finds him lying on the bed in pain so she quickly rushes to the nearest hospital to get an ambulance to take him to hospital. Along the way she meets Majengo who has fooled by Banda and Vokkez that he is dying because of a misinterpretation of his blood test results. He has resolved to pursue everything he has ever wanted to do before he passes on. Angel explains in a logical manner to about his fate with the release of the results and he leaves very angry at Banda and Vokkez for being dishonest with him. When she comes back to the house she finds Jobo playing his guitar and not looking as sick as he did earlier. She confronts him angrily for lying about his sickness because he did not want to go to college and do an exam he had not prepared for.
Deception is the main theme in this episode. This is because deceit rotates prominently around the episode. The episode starts inside the house and there is some indoor illumination because of the presence of shadows of the actors. Outside the house the key light used is the sun because the programme seems to have been shot approximately at 12 noon when the sun is directly above them and by the appearance of the shadows, it insinuates and affirms that the timing of noon could be true.
The introduction music which is the same for all the following episodes is from a popular local musician which attracts and holds the attention of their target audience who are obviously the youth. The song is also satirical-like hence best suited for the show. There is use of zoom in during concentration on something and zoom out to show the matatu going away to show that it has gone a far distance. There was an instance when Angel was talking while walking with Majengo. Use of tracking shots and also the use of nose room shots are evident. There is also the use of studio cameras which are normally used to shoot sequels and are of high quality for television use. The microphones used both outside and inside the house are dynamic because they are magnetic and don’t need outside source of power and is also Omni-directional because the sitting position is arranged in that they are sited in a circle that is around the sitting room table. The transmission from one story line to another is flawless as one does not notice the change meaning their editing techniques are good. The editing technique used is most probably computer software called cool-edit pro.


SEASON 2: EPISODE 4
This episode is centred around the theme, The Fight for Animal Rights. The family decided to invite their friends for a get-together gathering. Mr. Tembo decided to treat them to some goat meat. Jobo was totally against the idea of slaughtering the goat citing that all animals had rights therefore they should not slaughter it. However the rest did not concur with him and could not wait for the feast. He tries all ways to prevent it from happening, including hiding the goat so as to avoid its demise. Apparently he fails at this effort. At the same time Angel finds a lonely kitten along the way and decides to take it home with her. Her parents are totally against it.However, she decides to keep it against their wishes by hiding it in her room. Her mother finds out she throws it away and she is very saddened claiming that it will probably die out there.
The episode is shot and acted indoors with the family still debating on weather to slaughter the goat or not. There is indoor lighting which creates the mood of homeliness this is determined by the shadows and also because it is a comedy it needs to be illuminated to show happiness. The microphones used are Omni-directional as their voices are of the same pitch and it can pick sound waves from all directions since they are sitted around the coffee table. External outside scenes are pegged with plenty of sound distortions due to the interference by strong winds hence the sound quality is poor as one struggles to get what the actor is saying. sunlight is employed as the form of lighting outside. There is presence of funny sounds to create a comical relief especially when Jobo goes to hide the goat also when Angel is hiding the kitten and then Mrs. Tembo throwing it out. The use of trucking shots following Angel as she carried the kitten to their house. There was use of dolly-in and dolly-out which is the smooth movement of the camera from Jobo to Mr. Tembo when they were arguing weather to slaughter the goat or not. One cannot realize the camera movements because of continuity of the action. There are also close-ups especially when a specific actor is talking and when they want to show all of them in the room there is use of wide shots or long shots.
Just like in the previous episode the start up music is constant also the ending music is similar. They are both comedy like hence emphasizing on the genre. The editing is done by cool-edit pro computer software.



SEASON 2: EPISODE 5
The theme of the episode is centred on teenage dating. Jobo is head-heels in love with Generali’s niece. After being misadvised to gain false courage by Vokezz and Banda he gathers up his courage and decides to go and confess his feelings to her.Her feedback is clearly reluctant and hesitant to commit to him at first but later on decides, she obliges. Upon finding about their love affair,Generali vehemently condemns their love and is against the whole relationship because he knows Jobo’s wrong influence and claims that he will influence his niece..
Angel on the other hand is being forced by her friends to start dating because she has all the featurs a man would want in a woman for she is beautiful, young, independent and intelligent.Despite all the pressure she is relentless to give it much thought claiming that she is still young and is not ready for a relationship and the consequences that comes along with it.. She would rather focus on her career and later on engage herself in a relationship when she feels mature enough.
Trucking shots are extensively employed in this episode because three quarters of the episode is acted outside. Especially when Jobo is talking to Vokezz and Banda as he paces up and down trying to gather up his courage to go and talk to Generali’s niece and also as he walks towards the house. The source of light is primarily the sun and it was most probably shot at noon due to the presence of short shadows. There is zooming in when Angel’s features are being discussed by her friends the camera zooms in to focus on her. This is done hand in hand with medium shots as her image fills the screen. There is use of High Definition cameras which are suitable for Television. There is use of close-up shots when Jobo is talking to Generali’s niece but when Generali comes into focus it changes to a wide shot showing all the three characters.
The introduction music is the same as the previous episode also the ending music is similar. They are both comical like emphasizing on the genre. The editing is definitely done by cool-edit pro computer software.



SEASON 2: EPISODE 6
The theme of episode six is wittiness and the importance of having to employ crafty ways in order to pull it through in life for people who work pursue blue collar jobs. Vokeez and Banda took the matatu for its monthly regular servicing to the mechanic. The fuel of the vehicle was to be changed and other things like the brakes checked before the public service vehicle was out on the road. Strange enough, instead of the mechanic changing the oil, he drained it out and filtered it to apparently remove the impurity which is not practical at all.. He later returns the same oil to the car and on addition to that he mixes it with vegetable oil which he ignorantly argues adds flavor and makes the oil fresher. When Banda goes for the car to carry passengers he starts smelling a queer smell. Moments later the car stalls and it refuses not only to move but also to start. He immediately calls Vokezz and they push it all the way back to the mechanic who later on explains to them what he did. He insist that he was trying to save them unnecessary expenses by filtering the oil which was cheaper than buying new oil. They are mad at him and make him drain the oil and put a new one without pay.
The introductory music is the same as the previous episode to create consistency in that whenever one hears that song their minds immediately is registered to tune in to the programme. The ending song is also still the same to the previous episode. This episode is mainly shot outside with the sun as the source of lighting. Time of shoot is probably at noon because of the short shadows. The use of bright light is to emphasize on the mood of happiness. It also helps brighten up the audience. Background music is evident, especially when the mechanic is filtering the oil and mixing it with vegetable oil making a hilarious scene. There is use of fast forward on that scene because the process of filtration is long and would have cost them time. Which in this case is very limited to content and getting the desired effect. The use of close-up shots when Banda is talking to the mechanic and he is the one in focus but when the camera man wants to show both of them talking s/he uses a wide shot. Full shot is used when we Vokezz arrives and we can see the three actors plus the matatu. The trucking shots used when the vehicle is moving and then the camera man zooms-out to show that it had gone a far distance. When the matatu stalls the shot is back to close-up. There is a lot of distortions from the microphone used because of the wind Since the entire episode was shot outside. The microphone used is Omni-directional as it picks sound from all directions that are not even necessary..
The introduction music is the same as the previous episode also the ending music is similar. They are both comical-like emphasizing on the genre. The editing is done by use of computer software called cool-edit pro.


SEASON 2: EPISODE 7
Theft is the prominent theme in this episode. Jobo manoeuvres to make away with his father’s old records which he sells to some collectors who are ready to pay a large sum of money for them. He quietly sneaks into his parent’s room who were apparently not sound asleep to steal the records. No sooner had he stepped out of the door outside than the lights are switched on and in shock he drops the records which later fall and distort. Mr. Tembo is angry and disappointed by the actions of his son . Mrs. Tembo who was also evidently shocked orders Jobo out of the room so she can have a talk with her husband concerning Jobo’s actions.
Meanwhile Banda and Vokeez need quick cash to pay for some loan they took from one of their friends during the Christmas holiday. Running out of choices and all their efforts proving futile they resort to theft. Majengo had recently started selling chicken besides his maize they reason out that he will still survive even if he lost a few chicken. They come up with a plan. They trick him to go and buy credit for them in a kiosk claiming they can not go because they owe the kiosk owner. Since he is their friend he agrees to it and they promise to watch over his business while he was gone. After three minutes when they are sure that he can’t see them they start untying the chickens and make a run for it. They get a buyer and sell them at a throw away price just to go a few miles and meet with Majengo who was watching them from a distance. They are tongue-tied and have to get back the chickens from Sifrosa who is reluctant to return them at that price.
The episode begins with a shot in the bedroom to capture the illusion of darkness thus use of dim light. The camera man uses trucking shots following Jobo as he stealthily walks towards the records. The music used is for anticipation and keeps the viewer at the edge wondering whether or not he will be caught. When Mr. Tembo suddenly opens the lights there is a pose for a moment and the volume of the music becomes much higher. The suspense creates a shock and immediately after Jobo drops the Records because of the shock he gets. It leaves the audience wondering in anticipation of what will happen next? When the lights are turned the camera man uses a full shot as we can see all the actors plus the entire room.
In the other scene there is use of two-shot when Vokezz and Banda were conversing and also use of trucking shots because they were moving. Since the scene is shot outside the sun is the source of lighting. It was most likely shot during noon due to the shadows. When they reach Majengo the focus changes to a close up as he is the one speaking. The background music is comical and it makes the whole situation of chicken theft hilarious. The scene is fast forwarded to show the rush of Banda and Vokezz trying to untie the chicken before Majengo returns. But after being caught the music changes abruptly to a more dangerous one indicating the trouble in which Banda and Vokezz were in. The camera zooms in on Majengo’s face to show the anger by giving us an extreme close up.
The start up music is the same as the previous episode and so is the ending music . They both emphasize on the genre of comedy. The editing is done by use of computer software, cool-edit pro.





SEASON 2: EPISODE 8
Business is the theme of this episode and the key to Success is Customer Satisfaction. Mr. Tembo decides to implore his business keenly. He discovers that the reason his matatu is not fetching a lot of money is because Vokezz and Banda are not treating the customers well. He thinks that they should change their habits which they find are very reluctant to.They do not want to customers to be acquainted to it and if they will lose respect and regards from the other matatu drivers and touts plying the same route. Mr. Tembo comes up with a customer care policy that they should greet the customer before s/he enters the vehicle and incase s/he has a heavy luggage they should offer to carry it for them. In addition the driver should wait till all the customers are seated for them to start movement cause the abruptness in which they move can cause someone to fall consequently they will not choose to board the same vehicle after such an experience.
Majengo decides to improve the quality of his maize by having different flavors so as to create a range for one to choose from. He puts up a big Billboard written “I MAKE HOUSE DELIVERIES 24 HOURS A DAY ‘NA KIBOGOYO NI SARE’”. This is quite hilarious and Jobo makes fun of him asking him how he will sell maize for twenty four hours.
The introduction music is the same as the previous episode and so is the ending music. They are both comical in nature hence emphasizing on the genre. The editing is done by use of computer software called cool-edit pro.
The two scenes are acted outside with the use of the sun as the primary source of lighting. They are both shot at noon due to the presence of the short shadows. The bright lighting is used to insinuate the mood of happiness. The first scene employs use of a long or wide shot to show the three actors that is Mr.Tembo, Banda and Vokezz talking. By the use of dolly in the camera man changes the orientation of the scene however still showing all three actors. This later on changes to a medium shot not filling the entire screen and showing less of the physical environment. When Mr. Tembo is giving Banda and Vokezz the guidelines to better customer treatment the camera man uses a close up shot on him removing the rest on focus. The microphones used are dynamic because they do not need an external power source. They are also Omni-directional because signals are received from all three actors who are and trying to talk at the same time in a semi-circle.
In other scenes the billboard put up by Majengo is quite funny and the camera man gets an extreme close-up on it filling the screen and giving the audience a chance to read it. The background music used is also hilarious adding to the comical effect. When Jobo arrives the Camera shot immediately changes to a two shot of him and Majengo conversing. When Jobo is trying to explain to Majengo that his idea will not work there is an extreme close up as his face fills the screen. When Jobo gives up trying to convince Majengo to forget his silly idea he walks away and the camera zooms out showing how far he has walked.

SEASON 2: EPISODE 9
Large scale business is the central theme of this episode. Mr. Tembo decides on his business going large scale. This is impractical; due to the fact that matatu business cannot operate in large scale the best choice is making the matatu operate for 24hours which will also not be practical. His wife Mrs. Tembo tells him sarcastically that he should go and extend his matatu so that it can carry many people. To her surprise he agrees with her suggestion and is off to the garage.
The start up music is the same as the previous episode also the ending music is equally the identical. They are both full of humour hence emphasizing on the genre. The editing is done by cool-edit pro computer software.
The episode kicks off with a two shot of Mr. and Mrs. Tembo having a conversation inside the house. The key light used is quite bright creating a lot of shadows and although it is meant to be bright for comedy it makes the actors look dark because of the shadows formed in their faces. The microphones used are Omni-directional as the actors are in opposite side of the room and still their voices can be captured pretty well. The use of close-up shot when showing Mrs. Tembo reaction to her husband’s idea of expanding the business. Use of a dolly out to change the orientation of the subject that is Mrs. Tembo but maintain a continuity in action.
There is also use of monologue when Mr. Tembo is walking towards the garage and he is talking to himself how the car would fetch a lot of money which is quite hilarious.


CRITIQUE 9
SEASON 2: EPISODE 10
The theme of the episode was traditional food and how the ‘dotcom’ generation is neglecting their culture. Mrs. Tembo hasn’t eaten traditional food for a long time and decided to change her westernized menu to incorporate the traditional cultural food made of milk added vegetables. Jobo comes home from college and eager to eat meatballs only to find ‘kienyeji mboga’. He doesn’t understand why his mum is forcing him to eat vegetables that according to him look rotten. Angel walks in to also find a rude shock and declares that she is on a diet the minute she saw the food. Surprisingly Mr. Tembo is quite astonished and eats even the children’s share. This highlights the western culture influence in our lives that we can even reject our own culture. As Kenyans we are gradually losing our identity and our culture is becoming obsolete.
The introduction music or start up music is the same as the previous episode also the ending music is similar. They are both comedy like hence emphasizing on the genre. The editing is done by use of computer software called cool-edit pro.
Throughout the whole episode there is a comical music used to create a funny mood. Since the first scene is in the kitchen the camera shot is an extreme close-up shot of the food being prepared. There is also use of a monologue as Mrs. Tembo is talking about how it is a high time that she changed her home diet. Then there is a medium shot of her and the kitchens background is visible. Then immediately Jobo walks in the Camera zooms in on him to show his facial expression of surprise bringing out the emotion. Then the camera pans to the left where the food is being prepared when he is saying that he will not eat it and back to his face to show his disgust. When Angel walks in it moves to a wide shot and all of them can be viewed. There is an extreme close-up shot of her to show her shock and bask to a medium shot when she is dialoguing with her mother and a trucking shot as she walks away from the kitchen until we reach her bedroom. This creates a continuous flow of action it’s like the viewer is waling with the actor.
The microphone type used is a dynamic Omni-directional one. It picks sound from all sides of the room. When Mr. Tembo walks in the house there is a medium shot and a close-up of his face as he is excited to see the food on the table a pan to the right towards the dinner table to show his source of excitement. The episode is acted entirely in the house with the use of an outward source of light.
What this episode lacks is that it leaves the audience in anticipation mainly because of the timing allocation which limits the enhancement of the theme properly.

Conclusion
The programme is widely popular among the youth because of the use of sheng which attracts a youthful demography. The plot is also key as many people can relate to it. In addition to that there is entertainment and educational value.



Changes I would make on the programme
To begin with its ironical that Tembo’s matatu does not have passengers yet it is a matatu business. The script writer should include that in the plan for their next edition of beba beba
The locations used are also very predictable. Throughout viewing of the whole season there are o two locations are used. This has made the scenes predictable and very boring. In order to make the programme volatile they should consider adding more shoot areas. This can be accomplished by showing an air view of Muthurwa market or the central business district to show the traffic.
The lighting used inside the house should be changed. The lighting director should change his lighting plan as the key lights illumination is quite a lot causing a long shadow which is not entirely diffused by the fill and the back light making the actors look quite dark. The lighting director should therefore check the contrast ratio and make sure its the recommended 20:1 for quality production.
In addition to that, the transitions from one scene to the other are artificially done. They are not inter-related and they really mix-up someone as one is left in amazement why we are abruptly moving from one scene to another. The script writer again should try and work with a theme that is consistent and is able to link the matatu area and the house creating a flow.
Lastly the microphone technicians should look for the boom microphones which are padded and reduce the noise made when handling and are easy to carry around. By using unidirectional microphones to avoid the noises picked up on the side distorting the quality of the sound.






GLOSSARY
Sheng- A language that crops up with the youth living in urban areas as a result of mixture of the English language and Kiswahili language
Matatu- Swahili word for public service vehicle
Kibogoyo-Someone without teeth
Sare- something is given out for free