Big Brother Africa 4: Downtown Blues

THE housemates are going back in time this week, way back to the 1940s. As part of this week’s task the house has been transformed into a downtown jazz club, complete with a list of sleazy club owners and shady characters.

Each housemate has been given a specific character and they have to stick to it for the next three days. They have been provided with character descriptions, costumes and props with which to play a specific character. The character description includes the character’s public and private image as well as their secret skeletons. Oooh … Looks like a cross between Cluedo and Charades. The housemates are so excited about this week’s task, they have gone all out and wagered a full 100 per cent. The task will run until Thursday evening but yesterday the housemates had to organise some musical entertainment, drinks and sultry dancing, staying in character the entire time. Who’s Playin’ Who?King VinnieKevin is King Vinnie. He owns Downtown Blues, the nightclub, and is a big supporter of good music and down-and-out musicians. He is cool and good-humoured. Laid back but with an underlying aggression that rears its head from time to time. He’s a shrewd businessman with questionable connections. He is married to Mrs Vinnie (Nkenna). He has a lisp and all S sounds come out as TH. He hates Donald De Lancey’s (Leonel) food and criticises him often. He’s having an affair with Ms Soprano – the lead singer of the club who is currently on tour. He got Ms Soprano pregnant and she has threatened to tell his wife about it. Money has been stolen from his club and he suspects Toots (Itai).Mrs Vinnie – NikkiNkenna is Mrs Vinnie. She’s ruthless, cold hearted and only married Vinnie for his money. She drinks too much and dislikes all women associated with the club. She’s jealous of her husband’s relationships and in retaliation, flirts outrageously with other men, especially Toots (Itai). She knows about her husband’s affair with Ms Soprano.Betty Bee-BoppEmma is Betty Bee-Bopp, the sexy vocalist who performs at the club regularly as a back-up singer. She has big dreams of being a lead singer, making it big and leaving the club. She does often leave but is back within days, asking for her old job back. She’s secretly in love with Toots (Itai) and she hates letting him out of her sight. She over-reacts to everything and is madly envious of Ms Soprano. She’s obsessed with Toots and Ms Soprano and lost a record deal because Ms Soprano slept with the record producer, convincing him to rather cancel Betty’s contract. She’s tired of being second best.Alburta MalahydeMzamo is Alburta Malahyde, a dodgy music agent who smokes cigars, gambles and is dead broke. She wears an eye patch after losing her eye in a gambling game. She will bet on absolutely anything, has a weakness for a hot pair of heels and loves spending, spending, spending. She represents Ms Soprano, owes Vinnie a lot of money and has taken out an insurance policy on Ms Soprano’s life, as her most valued client.Willie ‘Old Shoes’ SmithEddie is Willie ‘Old Shoes’ Smith, a janitor at the club. He is sweet and kind, loyal and polite. He doesn’t drink alcohol, doubles as a barman at night, is a bit of a loner and doesn’t like physical contact. But in secret, Willie drinks bourbon and is close with Toots (Itai). He has many secrets… He’s really Ms Soprano and Toots’ father but he will never tell anyone. Toots JaxonItai is Toots Jaxon, a saxophone player who seems to be an honest musician. He is cool and charming, a bit of a ladies’ man but he’s not really interested in anything besides music. He helps out as a waiter in the club, was in jail and has been hurt before. ScarletGeraldine is Scarlet, Lady of the Night. She works her magic at the club. No man is safe with her around. She occasionally lap dances for Vinnie to pay for the use of his club. He supplies her with clients. She has two children that nobody knows about. Ms Soprano is blackmailing her with some incriminating photo’s that could get her children taken away from her. Donald ‘Dice’ De LanceyLeonel is Donald De Lancey the chef. He is from Brazil, has an affinity for good carving knives and loves chocolate. His cooking is not very good as he’s absent-minded and always forgetting things on the stove or forgetting important ingredients. He hates Vinnie and is very paranoid, believing that everyone gossips about him and his food. He spends a lot of time sharpening his knives and is secretly in love with Scarlet (Geraldine), sniffing her hair every time she walks by. He caught Ms Soprano and Vinnie smooching in the pantry and threatened to tell everyone about the affair. •You can watch Big Brother Africa 24 hours a day on DStv channel 198. The daily show, live nominations and eviction shows will be broadcast on M-Net Africa (DStv channel 102). Africa Magic (DStv channel 107) will broadcast all repeats.