- Celebrity Game Night returns for a second season on Sunday 7 February at 20:00 on E! (DStv Channel 124).
- Returning for season two was a total no-brainer says Ayanda, telling Channel24: "It wasn't even a thought or discussion."
- "I think this is the most fun I've ever had on television and that's because we are completely allowed to be ourselves," she says.
Celebrity Game Night returns to E! (DStv Channel 124) for a side-splitting second season on Sunday.
South Africa's favourite local stars will once again battle it out on Celebrity Game Night and leading their celebrity squads to victory are original team captains, Jason Goliath and Ayanda Thabethe - with the razor-sharp Anele Mdoda reprising her role as host.
Ahead of the season two premiere, Channel24 speaks to team captain Ayanda Thabethe about what to expect this time around, and who would be on her Celebrity Game Night dream team!
Returning for season two was a total no brainer says Ayanda, telling Channel24: "It wasn't even a thought or discussion."
Ayanda says: "I think this is the most fun I've ever had on television and that's because we are completely allowed to be ourselves."
"It's fun to be a part of, it's fun to interact with all these media personalities and to play games. It feels like a job I shouldn't be getting paid for. You literally wake up and play great games with some of the coolest people in the world. And I think it's just absolutely amazing," she says excitedly.
About the show's success, Ayanda says: "I think it's such a hit because it's the one show that I know that brings the whole family together. It's a show that the entire family can relate to, a show that the entire family can participate in and it's something familiar."
Not knowing what to expect or how viewers would receive the the first season, Ayanda says winning a SAFTA was "absolutely amazing," but the biggest highlight was working with Anele and Jason, finding their rhythm and working with the "coolest people".
She admits that the title of team captain comes with "a lot of pressure", but it's a role that she feels well-equipped for. "I think I enjoy being a team captain because it helps me navigate the set well, help other people feel comfortable, and instill in them that competitive nature needed for the show," she says.
About what viewers can expect this season, Ayanda says there will be a "whole lot of new games", and reassures that games with less physical contact have been incorporated as a Covid-19 safety precaution.
"I think expect more and more of what season one was, which is just fun, wonderful games, a show that connects people. Lots of competitiveness and people just being themselves, letting their guard down and having the utmost fun with amazing games," she adds.
"Some of the favourite games that are returning are 'where you're going' and 'pop quiz'. I'm looking forward to people letting us know what they think of the new games and the old games.
"New people, new celebrities, new personalities are playing these games, so it's basically fun to see how they interpret the game. But I think my favourite one is 'where you going'," she says.
When asked who she would want on her Celebrity Game Night dream team, Ayanda's first choice is Anele, Maps Maponyane and Donovan Goliath - just to have another Goliath on the opposite team!
Don't miss the brand new season, starting Sunday 7 February at 20:00 on E! (DStv Channel 124).