Tonight with Nii Kpapko Thompson: The Future Of Satire And Talk Show

For a moment, it didn’t feel like the ‘usual, ’then came the predictable question; “Are we on NBC or CBS?” So after switching through several channels, I gleefully responded, “It is even better, “we are on Viasat1 Ghana.” Apparently, it was the premiere of the much talked about show, Tonight with Nii Kpakpo Thomson. I had seen the promo earlier during the week but I didn’t give it much consideration but alas, few minutes into the show and I was all up for it.

If what I witnessed during last Friday’s premieres anything to go by, then Tonight with Nii Kpakpo Thompson has set the stage to be the most revered franchise and hottest party in town; a celebrity playpen full of games, surprise guests, and good vibes all around.

The show began with an opening monologue by host, Kpakpo; standing on stage telling some topical jokesbefore previewing the night’s guests and throwing to the credit sequence.

What sets “Tonight with Kpakpo Thompson” apart from other current affairs talk shows is the cocktail of hard-hitting interviews and entertainment laced with humour.

Host Nii Kpapko, masterfully demonstrated the “celebrity buddy” genre, tapping into his personal and past relationship with celebrity guests; Joselyn Dumas and Wanlov Da Kubolor to pal around on his amazing set and also to get some exclusive revelations. If you thought being curvaceous and very pretty was all there is to becoming successful, then thanks to Kpakpo Thomson, actress Joselyn Dumas advises a sharp 180. She summed it up in few words, “It takes more than your ‘part’ to get a part.”

Also on the show last Friday was Kubolor and his sister Deborah Vanessa; who wasted no opportunity in mocking their newly adopted ‘cousin’-famed Ghanaian boxer and soon to be Ghana’s ‘ambassador’ to Germany, Bukom Banku.

Can Tonight with Nii Kpakpo Thompson be what Ghana needs to process the week's activities? Tonight, certainly, feels like a real option. I believe it has not only come to stay; it has expanded the frontiers of talk show and a news satire television program.

Tonight is the future of satire and talk show in Africa. Tonight with Nii Kpakpo Thomsonis indeed satire brought to our living rooms.

Watch Tonight with Nii Kpakpo Thompson every Friday on Viasat1 at 9pm.