6 reasons you will smaak Doodgewone Jo

Meet Jo Black. Nope we’re not talking about Brad Pitt from the 1998 romantic fantasy of the same name minus an “e” (by the way, catch Brad in Fury). Think more along the lines of a bearded George Clooney from Plakkietoria with an acoustic guitar and a lekker deep and dark voice. That’s Doodgewone Jo.

Born Jo Engelbrecht, this iconic Afrikaans singer was raised in Pretoria North where he started working in the construction industry immediately after finishing high school. He’s been into music for most of his life but his professional music career got a push in the right direction when a few chance events lined up.

Firstly, an international beard-products company approached Jo back in 2016 to use a photo of him for their marketing. Spotted on the internet by song writer, Johan Vorster, he shared the photo and asked on social media if anyone knew someone who had that beardy, rugged look that could sing. One of Jo’s friends was quick to inform Johan that the actual guy in the picture met all the criteria.

One thing led to another and Jo’s first massive hit, Skepe, was released at the end of 2016. The music video for the same song reached just over a million views in the first five months (now on over 9m views) and before Jo Engelbrecht could blink, he was Jo Black and performing to sold-out venues across South Africa.

Jo would usually introduce himself as “Just Jo, an ordinary guy from Pretoria”. Fast forward to five years later and you will understand why he named his own TV variety talk show Doodgewone Jo.

It is already in its third season with production of Season 4 kicking off this December. The first season just became available to stream on Showmax. Here are six reasons this show is worth your time on the couch in front of the TV.

1. The filming location for Doodgewone Jo is a weird and wonderful hidden gem

Situated more or less halfway between Pretoria and OR Tambo, Tweefontein Melkery is a charming little farm with a unique bar and entertainment area. Over the last two decades it has not only seen some lekker bands on its stage, but it has also been the setting for numerous music video shoots both inside and outdoors and one band even recorded a full length album there.

Then there was also the filming of a TV commercial, and a French movie called Black Adder shot some scenes on the farm roads. The Afrikaans soapie Getroud Met Rugby filmed a scene at the beautiful old farm house when one of the characters “moved to the Free State”.

2. Jo got all the lekker guests for his show

He might be an ordinary guy, but he sports an extraordinary list of interesting guests. From beauty queens to musicians, actors, sportsmen, and living legends such as oom Leon Schuster. He even got a typecast villain on his show – Zak Hendrikz, the villain everyone loves to hate. (Van Nasionale Belang, Elke Skewe Pot, Thys en Trix, Die Kuur)

3. He gets competitive with former Miss South Africas

Melinda Bam was the Miss South Africa winner in 2011 and represented South Africa at the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas the following year where she placed in the top 10. Jo challenges her to a go-kart race in Benoni. This won’t be his only challenge with a beauty queen – in another episode he takes the 2017 Miss SA winner, Adè van Heerden, on in the boxing ring. She also happens to be a medical doctor and second lieutenant in the South African Military. Watch out, Jo, she could probably knock your beard off!

4. He makes use of his former construction worker abilities as he teaches us DIY

Along with his crafty friend Nadine Vosloo, Jo shows us in an insert in every episode that you can prettify your house with the easiest of DIY tasks, mostly using items that you probably already have lying around, just gathering dust, to create impressive decor elements.

5. Doodgewone Jo makes us jealous with all the outdoors stuff he gets to do

There is the fly fishing with Izak Davel (Sterlopers, Hoofmeisie), rock climbing with with the king of Mengels, Peach Van Pletzen, Fencing with Afrikaans pop music heart throb, Elandre and racing off road scramblers with Altus Theart (Bloedbroers, Ek en Myselfie, Getroud Met Rugby). The jealousy metre enters the red for me when he goes to an impressive gun shooting range with muso friend Ampie, plays golf with Mila Guy (Ekstra Medium, Hotel, Alles Malan and Wonderlus to name but a few) and the ultimate – driving around the streets of Pretoria with Refentse in Lamborghinis!

6. “Laaste Noot” – the episodes play out with a live musical guest

You might find your favourite Afrikaans musician ending off an episode – there are live musical performances by Jakkie Louw, Con Gracia, Zaan Sonnekus and a few newcomers, which is really nice and hopefully career boosting for them. My favourite by far was Dan Patlansky, who is absolutely on a world-class level with his blues but I was also surprised by the one non-musical guest, Wian, who has over 125 000 followers on YouTube with his mind-boggling magic tricks and sleight of hand!

I asked the owner of Tweefontein Melkery, Terry Alan, what his highlight was, seeing that it was filmed at his place, but he was way too busy making sure all the talent and crew were fed on set. His 12-year old daughter, however, was so chuffed that Leon Schuster signed her copy of his vinyl record, Broekskeur (1983).

Are you a fan of Doodgewone Jo? Stream these titles on Showmax:

• Minki

• Die Koevert

• My Plek of Joune

• Die Republiek of Zoid Afrika

• Karakter