When TV was as simple as 1, 2, 3

Think back to a prehistoric period, when the South African broadcasting climate consisted of TV1, 2 and 3 and, come Cinderella's pumpkin hour (ie midnight), we were treated to the riveting sight of a test signal, until broadcasting resumed the next morning.

It was an era when shows such as LA Law and Magnum PI were reason enough to stay in on a Saturday night, the latest Orkney Snork Nie episode made for great conversation around the watercooler and we all felt the need to sing the "S'Gud, gud, gud, s'gud is'nice" jingle every time we tucked into a piece of Chicken Licken.

Still struggling to clear away those cobwebs? SABC 2's new quiz show is guaranteed to recharge that memory board, as it leads you on a comical journey down the time tunnel. Where Were You? will put your knowledge on SA pop culture to the test, through a series of trivia games, audio clips and charades-like "what came next" re-enactments of previously popular programmes, adverts and other broadcast titbits spanning a period of 30 years.

Unlike other shows of this nature, however, there are no prizes up for grabs or massive amounts of money to be won. The participants are in it purely for the fun that a trip down memory lane affords both them and their audience.

Each week, a panel comprised of some of our country's legendary pop culture figures will take up their seats before the camera, and pit their recollection skills against one another.

They include fomer radio and television personality, Amanda Forrow, sports journalist-cum-presenter, Kwena Moabelo, comedians Mell Millar and Darren Maule, actresses Moshidi Motshegwa and Hanli Rolfes, as well as TV presenter, Dosto Noge.

Granted, these names may not immediately ring a bell in the minds of younger viewers, but as folks from the production company (Curious Pictures) behind the programme explain: "They were chosen because of their collective knowledge and experience in the industry as media icons in their own right."

An assortment of mystery guests pulled from the pit of people past will also join the panel during their weekly pop culture play session, in a format more or less akin to that of Whose Line is it Anyway?

But with so many spotlight-seeking personalities in the mix, things on-set are likely to get a little loony.

Hence, the quick-witted Fezile Mpela (of 7de Laan fame) has been brought on board to rope in these eccentric characters when the need arises, and thus ensure the show runs smoothly.

Where Were You? promises to regale viewers with "funny, poignant, important and memorable moments in South African broadcast history in an intelligent and engaging way".

- Catch the first episode of this new trivia game show on Friday August 29 on SABC 2 at 9.30pm, which features Darren and Dosto in a spoof of the Afrikaans drama, Trompie en die Boksombende.