By Stevens Muendo

Three weeks down the line — after a rather goofy start — things seems to be shaping up at the Tusker Project Fame (TPF3) academy. Tanzania’s Kevin Stephen, who was no doubt the weakest link among the 12 contestants, became the first casualty. He was evicted last Saturday with no tear shed on his exit. And now, two more Tanzanians Illuminata Rwelamira and Caroline Uliwa and Nina Bola and Christian Rwirangira both from Rwanda are on probation and one of them will tomorrow be shown the door. Following last Sunday’s performance Kenya’s Patricia Wangeci, Karolyne Nabulime (Uganda) and Alpha Rwirangira (Rwanda) have made a grand start wooing the judges and winning admiration from fans across East Africa. Debarl Clement, the Church worship leader is playing safe considering that he has not yet strained to show his full potential. And this is why the game starts considering that this is yet another Reality TV show where intrigues, scheming, back stabbing and behind the door maneuvers play a major role in determine who survives the ultimate challenge. Last week, Kenya’s comical musician Benard Ng’ang’a received some tongue-lashing and fell out with some of the male contestants who accused him of being insensitive. However, the mid-week murky scene, which was aired to viewers, was just a tip of the iceberg. The inside story is that the out numbered male contests are already getting cozy with the females whom they would like to use for their survival as alliances starts to form.

And on this note, are both Ng’ang’a and Alpha eying bootylicious and flirty Illuminata as Patricia plays her cards close to her chest? Lets wait and see who turns out to be the new Hemedi.

On the flip side, the hate between host Mitch and ruthless judge Ian is clearly the soap-opera that has been left to push humour into the show minus the Hemedi factor which may just see comical Nga’ang’a spared for long to spark life in the academy.

Kenya has won once just as Uganda (both, ladies) and Tanzania contestants seem to be playing second fiddle once again. Factoring gender and regional balancing, could it be time for a male to pull it this time round. That remains the current debate.