The Coconuts

Posted by Michael at 5:10 pm on November 9, 2008 in Television

My global television tour has taken me somewhere unexpected this week: the sitcoms of post apartheid South Africa.  The first show I started with was The Coconuts, which debuted this January on M-Net.  Heading in I had some idea what to expect thanks to the lyrical work of Sri Lanken rap trio Jahcoozi.  Clearly this was going to be a show that dealt with race issues (as I kind of imagine all shows in South Africa do.  Either that or HIV denial).

What I wasn’t prepared for was this:

That’s right.  M-Net has busted out the white face to help explore the racial dynamics in play in South Africa after the decline of the NP.  And man is it unsettling.  The show begins with this “white” family heading out for a camping trip in the countryside, furiously complaining about reverse racism as their maid (predictibly in black face) attempts to clean their bouncing caravan.

After nearly running down a mysterious black man after making a wrong turn our family, the Greens, find themselves stranded on an ancient Zulu burial ground.  A fact they barely notice as they predictibly but hilariously desecrate the land.

After ignoring a dire warning from the mysterious old man of the consequences of their disrespect the Greens are indeed taught a lesson by the ancients who, you guessed it, turns the Greens black and their maid white.  A fact Mr. Green doesn’t notice until he steps out for his morning urination.

And no, they couldn’t resist the obvious joke.

There is some genuinely clever writing in the show mixed in with racial humor that is frankly a bit uncomfortable.  The whole thing is so ludicrously over the top that it’s hard to take.  It feels like a Mr. Show skit that just won’t stop.

There are some interesting elements at play, like the Greens black neighbors the Mlambos who are new to this once whites only area and who find themselves distrustful of the new black family that suddenly appeared.  An example of dialog.

Oh hello!  I’d like report some… black people… in a house… in Bagnone.

I see.

*covers up receiver*

Apparently that’s not illegal anymore.

The show is a surreal way to spend 30 minutes I’ll say that much for it.  It’s absolutely funny, but the nature of the comedy is such that you almost feel uncomfortable laughing at it.  Even if its apparent motivations are positive.  Its ludicrously racist opening animation sure doesn’t help.

Uh.  Wow.  I’m pretty sure I just got reported somewhere just for uploading that.

Tags: Reviews, South Africa, Television