Not that
this was the greatest story ever told or the finest acting.
In fact,
some critics always had issues with the show’s writers and their depiction of a
modern University hostel, but that aside, The Hostel enjoyed a cult following
in a short time and thus making other reputable productions like NBS’ Destiny
or NTV’s runaway hit Kakibe Ki a total joke.
Its season
one that got many of us glued with a rich cast that included the breed of
actors like Michael Waweyo, Mathew Nabwiso, Dickson Zizinga and Danielle
Kahunde among others. The producers also pushed the envelope with a few
surprises like the inclusion of former Obsession dancer Hellen Lukoma, comedians,
Daniel Omara, Richard Twangye and Isac
Kadzu.
With such an
expensive cast, the hostel easily rode into the hearts of many local TV lovers
that embarked on leaving jobs early to catch up with their favorite residents
at 7:30pm.
By season
two, things had changed; the storyline was literally out of order that we could
barely tell to whom it belonged to.
When the
show screened the third episode of their second season, it was visible they had
lost some of their star quality, and as you could expect, more new faces.
That’s when
the beginning of the end started for the series, by the end of 2012, the show had
allegedly taken a Christmas leave that in turn lasted more than three months.
It was later
revealed that the Fast Track (the show producers) were operating in loses and
since they could barely breakthrough, they had sold shop to NTV.
During the
break, NTV looked for alternatives in Kenyan series Mali, Noose of Gold and
Demi Gods. They also tried their hand at yet another drama production in form
of Deceptions.
Deception
took the 7:30pm slot that was originally enjoyed by The Hostel.
It came with
a rather easy story we have known for a long time – the mother in law dealing
with the daughter that has failed to give her son a baby for a long time.
Much as the
acting of some actors was lacking, the polarizing performance of Sarah
Kasawuzi’s Mama Nalweyiso and Pretty Katende’s Lillian were simply exceptional.
When Patra
and company came back for the third season, the ground had changed, they had to
fight and win back viewers they had lost to the new drama and unlike years back
where they enjoyed the 7:30 timeslot, this time they had to battle for late TV
viewers at 10pm with the incomparable Agataliiko Nfuufu on Bukedde.
But that
wasn’t all; the entire cast had received a makeover that saw the inclusion of
Kenyan actors and Neo-soul singer Maurice Kirya – which also affected the main
story.
According to
a viewer, Winnie Nakate, Season two and three were out of the Hostel most of
the times even then the show continued moving with the same title. She even
blames the producers for intentionally depicting hostels as brothels opposed to
what they really are.
“Kids in
hostels are wild but they don’t bring men to their rooms, in fact not even
their men would allow meeting them in the rooms,” she says.
Nakate notes
that the show was inconsistent on many scenarios including the joint parties, thrown
by parents and students together on the famous show were more fictional than
real.
Reknown film
critic, Polly Kamukama though thinks a lot of factor affected the show. In his
view, the trio of Omara, Twangye and Kadzu had pulled many people to the show
and thus, their departure must have taken the fans with them.
“They had
also established a keen fanbase, so once they fell off the cast, a lot of fans
went along with them. Then there was that unexpected break at the start of last
year; it was a disapointment to fans most of whom quickly found solace in
Deception. But their storyline too needs serious redress, with more emphasis on
the adult life of the original cast.”
Very few
even realized the third season ended, its like it just vanished off the screens
though word from the show producers is that it’s coming back for a fourth
season soon.
Other
viewers argue that unlike Deceptions whose storyline is almost a clear
adaptation of one of the famous letter from Tittie and Omulongo Babirye’s shows,
The Hostel had lost touch with the real Uganda.
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