---
title: "The America S*** Show vs the South Africa S*** Show"
description: "I’ve spent a lot of time in introspection, almost a full minute, reflecting and asking myself the tough questions: am I an Ass-man or Sass-man?"
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "SATIRICALLY SPEAKING"
author: "Malibongwe Tyilo"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/malibongwetyilo/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-22-the-america-s-show-vs-the-south-africa-s-show/"
published: "2024-07-22T06:00:52"
updated: "2024-07-23T11:31:32"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 866
---

# The America S*** Show vs the South Africa S*** Show

> I’ve spent a lot of time in introspection, almost a full minute, reflecting and asking myself the tough questions: am I an Ass-man or Sass-man?

By Malibongwe Tyilo · Published 22 July 2024, 08:00 SAST · Updated 23 July 2024, 13:31 SAST

## Key points
- Apologies to all the Sass aficionados out there, as I've been distracted by the allure of the American S*** Show (Ass) and its captivating Assface drama, but fear not, I'm back to offer some sage advice to the Sass writers for a plot twist that doesn't feel like a rerun from Season 25.
- Apology issued by Sass critic for missing episodes due to distraction by America S*** Show (Ass)
- Critic reflects on similarities between Sass and Ass storylines, offers constructive criticism to Sass writers
- Suggests wrapping up VBS storyline quickly, proposes spinoff miniseries Prosecuting Authority S*** Show (Pass)
- Calls for new blood and imagination in Sass to keep storylines fresh and engaging

## Content

Dear fans of the *South Africa S\*\*\* Show (Sass)*, dear sassies, my dearest sassmen, sasswomen, and gendersassy folk.

I must apologise, I’ve missed a few episodes of our favourite show in recent weeks. Blame it all on what is undoubtedly the biggest show on the planet right now, the *America S\*\*\* Show (Ass)*. I totally got distracted by that big *Ass* and I have failed you in my role as our country’s most important living or unliving television soapie critic.

I can’t even completely blame the brilliant writers on *Sass* for my lack of interest. From the bits I’ve caught here and there, it seems those talented scribes are still amazing as ever. That said, there’s always room for improvement, and I have thoughts, which I will share in a moment.

But first, to continue my apology tour: yes, I understand as much as the next man that we live in an era of multitasking, and that we should be at the ready, jumping from one task to the next. And of course, by that logic, just because I couldn’t keep my eyes off that big *Ass* and literally had nothing but *Ass* on my mind, especially with the recent assassination attempt of the man who has become the beloved star and face of the *American S\*\*\* Show*, the *Ass*face if you will, that doesn’t make it okay for me to neglect my sassies.

I’ve spent a lot of time in introspection, almost a full minute, reflecting and asking myself the tough questions: am I an *Ass*-man or *Sass*-man? Eventually, I came to a place of self-forgiveness as I realised that perhaps I’m not at fault and that it’s all the same: if one is a *Sass*-man, they’re most likely to also be an *Ass*-man given the chance.

But also, I suspect that the writers behind that *Ass* have watched a few seasons of *Sass*, and perhaps realised that as exciting as their *Ass* has been over the past few decades, their plot twists were no match for *Sass,* and decided to take things up a notch by making *Ass*face’s return to power so dramatic and iconic. Anyway, I am now taking an intentional break from all things *Ass*and*Ass*face. It’s all a bit much at the moment, to be honest. I never thought the day would come when I would look to *Sass* for a breather.

That said, I do have some words of advice for the *Sass* writer’s room. Call it respectful, constructive criticism from a lifelong fan, if you will. As exciting as the whole VBS storyline is, it just feels a bit like we’ve seen this before. It all hearkens back to 2018’s Season 25, when it was first revealed that the men in red’s vision of “economic freedom” was more about liberating funds from the bank accounts of ordinary citizens into their own than some sort of broader social transformation.

I feel like a better show wouldn’t wait a whole six seasons, until the current season 31, to suggest some sort of resolution. Viewers watched, season after season, bemused and frustrated, as the fruity looty characters involved continued their lives, on the national stage even, seemingly unperturbed by the storm clouds of accountability gathering on the horizon.

It’s no mystery then, that many gave up, lost their *Sass,* as it were, and perhaps, like me, got addicted to that *Ass*. I hope the writers don’t think me too forward. But I think it would be best to wrap up this red overall storyline quickly, perhaps as a spinoff miniseries. Call it the *Prosecuting Authority S\*\*\* Show (Pass)* and make it six episodes max.

This might even give some of those lesser *Sass* characters from past seasons more prominent roles. I’m thinking of the ones from that National Prosecuting Authority storyline that’s always in the background, never quite coming to the surface. These poor actors never seem to have any significant speaking roles. In fact, I’ve heard rumours from my actor friends that due to their seemingly ever-diminishing roles, many of them have been sitting at home, watching *Ass*face get prosecuted on *Ass*and hoping. I imagine a bit more time in front of the camera should be very exciting for them.

I’m all for slow-burns and seeing a story through, but *Sass* could benefit from new blood and a new imagination. Admittedly, I’m excited about the return of beloved and at times hated characters like the Gen Z duo, a.k.a Zuma and Zille, but it might all get old really quickly.

Once again, let me stress that I write this with the utmost respect, and even as easily distracted as I have been by that *Ass*of late, I am a *Sassy* at heart. And I am excited to see what else is coming up for season31.

Knowing the writer’s room, I’m pretty sure they have some amazing stuff in store for all of us in the *Sassyverse.* I’m convinced that the whole GNU storyline is just a setup for a seriously fiery storyline, a proper little dumpster fire. May the flames light the way forward! **DM**