un-PHIL-tered: The Fergusons’ shopping spree

The Fergs are going all Sarah Langa, flexing on us with #TheQueenMzansi new hires like Raps, Menzi & Brenda

But is this sustainable or a Khanyi Mbau circa 2006?

Or ala Boity ke “swipe swipe it will never decline”

See ya at 6PM

So how are The Fergusons affording these actors? I have a theory but first let's start with the why.

While The Queen has done superbly in the ratings, doubling its viewers during lockdown to over 2 million, the pressure to freshen-up the show has been overwhelming

Furthermore, the controversy around the departure of some of the leads on the show has impacted the reputation of the company and show.

Something had to be done. See, we say numbers are everything in this business but that not entirely true. You need good numbers.

Good numbers I mean you need to have big numbers and still be attractive to ad buyers for media sales at the broadcaster to be happy

One assumes, though the numbers are great, The Queen needed an image boost.

No better way to clean up the show's image than hiring beloved actors

Hows does Ferguson Films affording all this?

I ask because I have it on good authority that Multichoice didnt provide a raise in productions this year & last year.

Could Fergusons Films somehow gotten more money this year?

Rapulana Seiphemo is not cheap. We talking about a salary bracket of 70k to 120k on a global actor contract.

I dont see Rapulana leaving Generations for pittance at The Queen.

Brenda could be cheaper. She hadnt been in the game for a min and was just supporting on The River

As for Menzi Ngubane, word in the business is that Isibaya is one of the lowest paying of all soapies/telenovelas right now. So, on a global actor contract I can see him accepting a R50k pm.

The rest of the hires are probably coming in cheaper or at reasonable rates

If there is more money, then they can cover this big costs.

With no raise, there are 2 other options I can think of;

1. Clever accounting

Ferguson Films has money left over from past financial year budget and they using that to afford these big buys.

2. Rob Peter to pay Paul

Now this is the nefarious. A situation where the company under pays call actors so they can afford to pay big names their ask.

Morally this option would be horrible but business wise it would be practical

As I reported, Shona is dropping the Jerry character leaving a room perhaps for someone like Rapulana to take the spot on the budget line.

It would be illegal but there is also the option of taking one line item to pay for another. Broadcaster would be none the wiser.

These are all theories. I dont know anything about The Queen budget.

Will it work though?

My opinion is; they are taking a huge risk.

Here is why?

For this to work, they'll have to keep these new actors for a while. They can't have Menzi appear for 2 months and leave.

That would reinforce perceptions that they treat actors badly and can not retain talent.

That would be bad publicity.

On the other hand, if these new actors came at a high price, that may not be sustainable to have them on for a long period.

If Rapulana, Menzi & Brenda come above the R60 -R80k mark, that could put a stray on the budget long term.

Your thoughts?

Please let's have a grown-up debate or cyber-conversation