Life was so simple when millennials like me knew 8 p.m. on Thursdays were strictly reserved for Wale Adenuga’s masterpiece, Super Story. It wasn’t just a TV show but a cultural event that united Nigerians across the country. But with so many seasons — it’s still on, guys — it’s hard to select the best stories the show has told. Luckily for you, I love a challenge.
Here’s a list Wale Adenuga himself would agree with.
Oh Father! Oh Daughter!
The OG! A classic tale of “Men will disgrace you last last”, Oh Father! Oh Daughter! told the story of Suara, a man who offers his wife up to a wealthy man just so he can land a job. As if that’s not enough, when he started getting money, he dumped his wife for the original city girl, Toyin Tomato, who showed him pepper instead of tomatoes.
The show featured Sola Sobowale in the iconic role of Toyin Tomato. She was so good, she got a spinoff show, An Eye For An Eye.
Nnenna
Who can forget Nnenna, the ghost floating around Lagos in a white V-neck top looking for revenge? Featuring Shan George and a very young Gabriel Afolayan, this season focused on the title character who vows not to transition to the afterlife until her father’s best friend, Mr Williki pays for killing her in cold blood. Honestly, I blame everyone involved for trusting someone called “Mr Williki” in the first place.
One Bad Apple
I don’t think Nigerian people have hated a fictional couple as much as Officer Francis and Caro. One Bad Apple was one of the most intense seasons, and it had us glued to our seats, trying to find out what type of fuckery Officer Francis would do next. Who else has the guts to attend their married side chick’s baby’s naming ceremony?
We need to bottle that man’s audacity and sell it as a perfume ASAP.
RECOMMENDED: Nigerians Would Rather Die Than Skip the Intros of These TV Shows
The Grasscutter
In The Grasscutter, Kehinde Bankole starred as Eno, a campus babe who gets harassed and sexually abused by her lecturer. The gag is, any man who sleeps with Eno dies after seven days. And I—oop! Well, the show focused on the lecturer’s attempts to avoid death — visiting churches and a local babalawo; honestly, I didn’t feel bad for him. You play stupid games; you win stupid prizes. Period.
Everything It Takes
The most glamourous season of Super Story, Everything It Takes came out in the time of abortion belts, headbands and dangling earrings. The season focused on three friends Chinelo, Deola and Boma, fighting to achieve their dreams across fields, from music (I can still remember Kehinde Bankole singing Minnie Riverton’s Loving You) to law. These babes were the original feminist icons and even had their faces on Lux soap at the time. Good days!
Omoye
Omoye is one of those Super Story seasons that hasn’t aged well. It’s like sweet fried rice, but you can tell it’s not fresh. The focus was on Omoye, a girl who after her parents couldn’t afford to pay her JAMB fees, got pregnant, had an abortion and died. The show attempts to punish its lead for “wrongdoings”, and it doesn’t sit well with my spirit. #HerBodyHerChoice
The Gods Are Not To Blame
Adapted from Ola Rotimi’s play of the same title, The Gods Are Not To Blame was an epic season about a young prince who from the day he was born was destined to kill his father and marry his mother. It sounds crazy, I know. But despite several attempts at preventing his fate, the prince ends up doing just what he was destined to — he killed his dad and married his mother.
Face of Deceit
Super Story had an agenda against Yoruba men, and it’s lowkey funny. In another case of don’t trust a Yoruba demon, Face of Deceit followed Adaobi, who got pregnant and had an abortion for Yomi Benson while in university. They still got married, but the abortion, in classic old Nollywood style, ruined her womb. It was all smooth sailing until Yomi decided to secretly marry a girl from the village, and all hell broke loose.
