Noh Matta Wat!
Encyclopedia
Noh Matta Wat! is a Belizean
drama
tic television
series. It airs locally on Great Belize Television
(Channel 5) ; Tropical Vision Limited
(Channel 7) and Krem Television
(cable).
It was created by the local advertising
company 13 Productions, headed by businessman Denvor Fairweather
, in conjunction with American
film producer
and Howard University
professor
Steve T. Berry
. Fairweather is creator and executive producer; Berry is producer and director.
(comprising the grandmother Tomasa, Margaret, her "sister" Lisani, and her son Randy) is a seemingly normal Belize
an family. But a chance meeting with a slick American
stranger changes everything. The show chronicles their struggle to "live the Belizean life".
Recurrent Roles:
Minor:
Guest Stars:
Famous Belizeans who have made appearances in the series so far:
, music by Oscar Herrera and performed by Dan Man and Dynamo. The score and music for both seasons of the show has been composed by various artists, including Berry & Adele Ramos-Daly
, as well as Shawn Tewes, Soundtrack and Enigma. This is subject to change.
A brown title card with face shots of all the main characters side by side appears as a male announcer says, "This segment of Noh Matta Wat is brought to you by...", followed by fade to commercials. No introduction is used coming back from commercials. The last segment usually features a dramatic moment followed by freeze frames of various characters; then the theme music plays as the end credits crawl up the screen on the right side: cast, crew, locations, sponsors. With the exception of episodes 3 and 4, the theme music accompanies the closing credits. In episodes 3 and 4, the closing song "Daddy Come Find Me" was written by Adele Ramos Daly and performed by Kerret Paulino and Dan Man.
Commercials: A shot of the Diegos' house on Amara Avenue is shown, covered in blue with the show logo on the lower left, as a male announcer (who also introduces the highlight reel) says: "This segment of Noh Matta Wat is brought to you by...", followed by a female announcer reading the list of sponsors (she also announces the acknowledgment of season 2's corporate sponsors, Grace Kennedy (Belize) Ltd. and BTL
. The same clip is shown on return from commercials, with a different male announcer shouting, "NOH MATTA WAT!" (He also shouts this phrase at the freezeframe section of the show and at the start). Closing credits remain the same. Note: this has been edited in subsequent airings.
(a staff writer and senior editor at the Amandala
newspaper) in season 1, and Kimberley Vasquez (Belizean stage and screenwriter) in seasons 1,2 and 3. Steve T. Berry
returned in season 2 to direct the first two episodes, while James E. Cheek took the helm to direct episode 3 and the final episodes 6, 7 and 8. In addition, Kelley Chatman directed episode 4 and Eric Berry
directed episode 5.
The DVD release of season 2 has been re-edited by Steve T. Berry
so that the original sequencing of scenes has been rearranged. To add further confusion as to who directed what the existing credits on the first release of season 2 DVDs contains several errors. For instance, the reedited version of episode 2 now contains several scenes directed by James E. Cheek without mention of him as director in the credits and episode 3 has Kelley Chatman's name as sole director in the opening credits when in fact the episode contains scenes directed by both Ms. Chatman and Eric Berry
. But the most glaring error is the opening credit given to Eric Berry as the director of episodes 6, 7 and 8 when in fact the re-edited versions contain scenes mostly directed by James E. Cheek and a few scenes directed by producer Denvor Fairweather.
Unlike other programs, Noh Matta Wat!'s sponsor commercials are embedded in the telecast, added during post-production.
episode of Noh Matta Wat! aired November 28, 2005. To date, nineteen episodes of the program have aired, five in season 1, nine in season 2, and five in season 3.
. The family, of Garifuna descent, is a seemingly normal Belizean family. There is grandmother Tomasa Diego, her granddaughters Margaret and Lisani and Margaret's son Randy Diego. Margaret loves her son and sister. But she tends to believe the best in people, a belief that seems to do her more harm than good. Lisani, an independent but slightly naive girl, is studying and working part-time to furnish a better lifestyle for the family. Meanwhile, Randy dreams of becoming a performer and artist. He works with neighbour Dan Man
, an established Creole
entertainer who sees Randy's talent and nurtures it as best he can. Dan Man represents a sort of father-figure to Randy.
, a wayward Spaniard with a penchant for excess, are picked up by the American expatriate Steve Castillo
. Castillo, himself a flirt, finds it easy to converse with both young women, and has little idea that Lisani is the child whom he abandoned in youth to follow his own life. Margaret, who had never told Lisani the truth about Castillo, is now forced to tell her and, in so doing, endure her hatred for a time. Steve, who vows in one of the scene in the last episode to be there for Lisani, is later accosted by thugs Juni and Luga
, shot and forced to flee Belize.
, is his father and a minister of Government and that he and Lisani are in fact half-brother & sister.
In the end, the family has been thoroughly tested in and redeemed by their love for each other.
and featured sneak previews of the first two episodes of the second season. It also marked the first appearance as main cast members for Kent Clare (Clifford Rowland
) and Hershabeth Ramclam (Rosanna Ramirez
).
The second season premiered on Channel 5 on July 3, 2006. It begins with Tomasa "gossiping" with Ms. Sarita, a friend and customer, about her family's happenings, particularly about the return of Clifford Rowland, who is now trying to be more involved in Randy and Margaret's life.
),"it wa be sweet fu me, and fi you." A second subplot features doings in Clifford's office as his sneaky secretary Shanice (portrayed by Elizabeth Villanueva) causes trouble and aide Preston (portrayed by both Denver Fairweather and Ansel West) is secretly selling him out; Randy is already predisposed in his mind against Clifford, and he makes little effort to get to know him. Margaret, on the other hand, insists to Tomasa and Randy that "Clifford will be in this family whether you like it or not." Tomasa, in her anger at this, abruptly leaves and doesn't speak to Margaret for a couple of days. When Rowland comes over to supper with the family, Tomasa, Randy and perhaps Dan Man, treat him as a nuisance. Rowland does not approve of Dan Man's role in Randy's life and says as much, then offers to pay for Randy's music career. Randy throws a tantrum, dismissing Rowland and refers to Dan Man as his father-figure. Margaret is angered and later apologizes to Tomasa, citing that she only wished Rowland and Randy to be close. He later cuts a song introduced to the world by DJ Kenny Morgan of WAVE Radio
, in which he castigates politicians in general and Rowland in particular.
, where she finds out that the man in question is dead; her family resolves to get her help.
In episode eight, a newscaster reports that Steve Castillo's attackers are on the run. The last episode ends with the Diegos celebrating the opening of Margaret's new restaurant.
in Belize. The following is presented in context to the series.
and United Democratic Party
. No information is given on its membership, policies, or platform.
The party is represented on the show by Minister Clifford Rowland
, though other members are briefly mentioned. Rowland first appears in episode three of season one, when Margaret Diego appeals to him to rescue her son Randy from jail. He is then in the midst of a scandal over funds to build a local hospital. In season two, Rowland continues his shady ways while conducting an affair with his secretary. Unfortunately for Rowland, aide Preston (played by first Denvor Fairweather and later Ansel West) is secretly selling him out to the local media and Belizeans dislike the NFP even more than they did the PUP or UDP (at least according to the characters). At the end of season two Rowland's marriage is in shambles and his political career is under threat.
The real parties appear to have no qualms with the series; on Independence Day 2006 Leader of the Opposition Dean Barrow
acknowledged the series in his address and Prime Minister Said Musa
followed suit.
aired the premiere each week following local news at 7:15 PM, repeated on Saturdays at eight; Channel 7
aired it on Tuesdays following news and Sundays at 7:00 PM; and Krem Television
aired the program at 9:00 PM on Thursdays and 3:00 PM on Fridays. Occasionally, Five and Seven would move the program to 9:00 PM to accommodate their respective news blocks.
The series returned in syndication during March and April 2006.
in anticipation of the third season (Channel 5 experienced conflict due to the equally popular Karaoke Television
, entering its sixth season).
in particular, which briefly put a third season in jeopardy. March Website report
The site also reports that authentic Season 2 DVDs have gone on sale as of August 5, 2007 in Chicago
, Houston, Los Angeles
, New York
and Miami as well as Belize.
The third season has begun airing as of October 1, 2007. 13 Productions held a grand premiere on September 19, 2007 at the Bliss Center for the Performing ArtsSeptember Insider report. Number of episodes is currently unknown, but teaser footage has been airing in promotional videos during episode 2 repeats. Series creator Fairweather told broadcast partner Great Belize Television
that the season would focus on domestic violence
and youth violence; politician Clifford Rowland will play a prominent role according to actor Kent Clare.
Belizean
Belizean may refer to:* Something of, or related to Belize* A person from Belize, or of Belizean descent. For information about the Belizean people, see Demographics of Belize and Culture of Belize. For specific Belizeans, see List of Belizeans....
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
tic television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series. It airs locally on Great Belize Television
Great Belize Television
Great Belize Television, or as it is locally known, Channel 5, is a Belize City-based local television station established in December of 1991. Channel 5 airs mostly American and Caribbean programs, as well as a variety of locally produced programs...
(Channel 5) ; Tropical Vision Limited
Tropical Vision Limited
Tropical Vision Limited, or as it is locally known, Channel 7, is a Belize City based television station operating since 1981.Its Managing Director is Nestor Vasquez.- Schedule :Weekdays...
(Channel 7) and Krem Television
Krem Television
Krem Television is a Belizean television station established in 2004 and serving Belize City.Its manager is KREM Radio alumnus Evan "Mose" Hyde and it is part of KREMANDALA Ltd.- Establishment :...
(cable).
It was created by the local advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
company 13 Productions, headed by businessman Denvor Fairweather
Denvor Fairweather
Denvor Fairweather is a Belizean television producer and executive.- Education and early television work :Fairweather attended Saint John's College Junior College from 1991 to 1993, working in his final year with the Channel 3 television wing of the Broadcasting Corporation of Belize...
, in conjunction with American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
Steve T. Berry
S. Torriano Berry
Steven Torriano Berry is an award-winning American film producer, writer and director. He directed Noh Matta Wat!, the first Belizean dramatic television series, which first aired on November 28 2005.-Background and career:...
. Fairweather is creator and executive producer; Berry is producer and director.
Premise
The Diego FamilyActors in Noh Matta Wat!
The following details the personal biographies of the main cast of the Belizean television series Noh Matta Wat!. For a full cast listing, see that article.- Kent Clare :* Role: Clifford Rowland, government minister and Randy Diego's father....
(comprising the grandmother Tomasa, Margaret, her "sister" Lisani, and her son Randy) is a seemingly normal Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
an family. But a chance meeting with a slick American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stranger changes everything. The show chronicles their struggle to "live the Belizean life".
Characters
Major:- Sherlette LopezActors in Noh Matta Wat!The following details the personal biographies of the main cast of the Belizean television series Noh Matta Wat!. For a full cast listing, see that article.- Kent Clare :* Role: Clifford Rowland, government minister and Randy Diego's father....
- (Margaret Diego) - Carrie FairweatherActors in Noh Matta Wat!The following details the personal biographies of the main cast of the Belizean television series Noh Matta Wat!. For a full cast listing, see that article.- Kent Clare :* Role: Clifford Rowland, government minister and Randy Diego's father....
- (Tomasa Diego) - Curtis GillettActors in Noh Matta Wat!The following details the personal biographies of the main cast of the Belizean television series Noh Matta Wat!. For a full cast listing, see that article.- Kent Clare :* Role: Clifford Rowland, government minister and Randy Diego's father....
- (Steve Castillo, Season 1 only; likely to reappear) - Shakera SamuelsActors in Noh Matta Wat!The following details the personal biographies of the main cast of the Belizean television series Noh Matta Wat!. For a full cast listing, see that article.- Kent Clare :* Role: Clifford Rowland, government minister and Randy Diego's father....
- (Lisani Diego) - Kerret PaulinoActors in Noh Matta Wat!The following details the personal biographies of the main cast of the Belizean television series Noh Matta Wat!. For a full cast listing, see that article.- Kent Clare :* Role: Clifford Rowland, government minister and Randy Diego's father....
- (Randy Diego/Dynamo) - Hershabeth RamclamActors in Noh Matta Wat!The following details the personal biographies of the main cast of the Belizean television series Noh Matta Wat!. For a full cast listing, see that article.- Kent Clare :* Role: Clifford Rowland, government minister and Randy Diego's father....
- (Rosanna Ramirez) - Javier CanulActors in Noh Matta Wat!The following details the personal biographies of the main cast of the Belizean television series Noh Matta Wat!. For a full cast listing, see that article.- Kent Clare :* Role: Clifford Rowland, government minister and Randy Diego's father....
- (Jack) - Kent ClareActors in Noh Matta Wat!The following details the personal biographies of the main cast of the Belizean television series Noh Matta Wat!. For a full cast listing, see that article.- Kent Clare :* Role: Clifford Rowland, government minister and Randy Diego's father....
- (Clifford Rowland) - Allison "Dan ManDan ManDan Man is the stage name of Belizean entertainer Allison Hemsley. Hemsley, born in Belize City in 1973, is a local musician and composer that has led the return of local rap and dancehall music to Belizean airwaves.- Participation in 2005 protests :...
" Hemsley- (Dan Man/Himself)
Recurrent Roles:
- Melton Morrison (Ray Phillips, Season 1,2,3; killed in season 3)
Minor:
- Ichelle Jeffords (Tricia Rowland, Season 2 only)
- Samantha Hessler (Vanessa Ramirez, Season 2 only)
- Denvor Fairweather (Preston)
- Ansel West (Preston in Season 2- replaced Fairweather for two episodes)
- Steve Berry (intermittently in Season 2)
- Lucian (Juni) (Season 1, 3)
- Steven Lecky (Luga) (Season 1, 3)
- Elizabeth Villanueva (Shanice) (Season 2, 3)
- Pedro Cruz (Ramon Ramirez- Season 2 only)
- Glenda Price (Agnes Ramirez -Season 2)
- Fred Pakeman- (Faceless Stranger -Season 2)
- Ramon Joseph- (Jamie -Season 2)
Guest Stars:
Famous Belizeans who have made appearances in the series so far:
- Joan Burrell (community activist)
- EJ Hill (DJ, KREM FMKREM FMKREM Radio is a Belize City radio station operating on signals 96.5, 91.1 and 101.1 FM since November 17, 1989. Its headquarters are located at 3304 Partridge Street in Belize City, also the home of the Amandala newspaper and Krem Television...
) - Lindsford "Supa G" Martinez (puntaPuntaPunta is a Garifuna music and dance style performed at celebrations and festive occasions. Contemporary punta, including Belizean punta rock, arose in the last thirty years of the twentieth century in Belize, Honduras and Guatemala. It also has a following in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Southern Mexico...
rock artist) - Kenny Morgan (DJ, WAVE RadioWAVE RadioWAVE Radio, a Belize City radio station operating since 1998, is the radio arm of the United Democratic Party . It is located at the corner of Ebony Street and the Belchina Bridge entrance, at the UDP Headquarters.- History :...
) - Myrna Manzanares (community activist)
Theme and Musical Score
The score and theme to "Noh Matta Wat" reflects dramatic origins. The theme was written by Steve T. BerryS. Torriano Berry
Steven Torriano Berry is an award-winning American film producer, writer and director. He directed Noh Matta Wat!, the first Belizean dramatic television series, which first aired on November 28 2005.-Background and career:...
, music by Oscar Herrera and performed by Dan Man and Dynamo. The score and music for both seasons of the show has been composed by various artists, including Berry & Adele Ramos-Daly
Adele Ramos-Daly
Adele Ramos-Daly is a Belizean poet, author, journalist and publisher. She is assistant editor of the Amandala, a widely circulated tabloid newspaper, published twice weekly....
, as well as Shawn Tewes, Soundtrack and Enigma. This is subject to change.
Season 1
Each episode opens with the character of Granny Tomasa (Carrie Fairweather) taking a walk with a young boy, presumably from the neighbourhood, where they discuss aspects of the country's history as it relates to the series. After the last scene, cut to Garifuna drums being played as the theme music begins. A series of clips is shown for each of the characters Tomasa, Margaret, Randy, Lisani, Rosanna and Dan Man (in that order) before the camera freezes one clip and reveals that particular character's name in white. Another sequence is shown featuring the credits for the writer, director, producer and executive producer (over other show clips in yellow) before fading to black as the theme song ends.Commercials
A brown title card with face shots of all the main characters side by side appears as a male announcer says, "This segment of Noh Matta Wat is brought to you by...", followed by fade to commercials. No introduction is used coming back from commercials. The last segment usually features a dramatic moment followed by freeze frames of various characters; then the theme music plays as the end credits crawl up the screen on the right side: cast, crew, locations, sponsors. With the exception of episodes 3 and 4, the theme music accompanies the closing credits. In episodes 3 and 4, the closing song "Daddy Come Find Me" was written by Adele Ramos Daly and performed by Kerret Paulino and Dan Man.
Season 2
The opening credits now feature a highlight reel from the previous episode. The theme music plays after a camera swings back to the audience to reveal the show's name. Clip series is the same, except blue is used instead of brown, and the real names of the actors are added in italics above the character name. Clip sequences have been added for Kent Clare's Clifford and removed for Curtis Gillett's Steve.Commercials: A shot of the Diegos' house on Amara Avenue is shown, covered in blue with the show logo on the lower left, as a male announcer (who also introduces the highlight reel) says: "This segment of Noh Matta Wat is brought to you by...", followed by a female announcer reading the list of sponsors (she also announces the acknowledgment of season 2's corporate sponsors, Grace Kennedy (Belize) Ltd. and BTL
Belize Telemedia
Belize Telemedia Limited , formerly Belize Telecommunications Limited, is a telecommunications company in Belize. Established in 1972 as the Telecommunications Authority, it rapidly became Belize's leading telecommunication provider in the 1980s and 90s. Today, it enjoys the most subscribers to...
. The same clip is shown on return from commercials, with a different male announcer shouting, "NOH MATTA WAT!" (He also shouts this phrase at the freezeframe section of the show and at the start). Closing credits remain the same. Note: this has been edited in subsequent airings.
Writing and Direction
"Noh Matta Wat"'s storylines and scriptwriting were scripted by media and film veterans Adele Ramos-DalyAdele Ramos-Daly
Adele Ramos-Daly is a Belizean poet, author, journalist and publisher. She is assistant editor of the Amandala, a widely circulated tabloid newspaper, published twice weekly....
(a staff writer and senior editor at the Amandala
Amandala
Amandala is a Belizean tabloid newspaper; published twice weekly, it is considered the "most widely circulated newspaper in Belize." It was established on August 13, 1969 as the chief spreadsheet for the United Black Association for Development...
newspaper) in season 1, and Kimberley Vasquez (Belizean stage and screenwriter) in seasons 1,2 and 3. Steve T. Berry
S. Torriano Berry
Steven Torriano Berry is an award-winning American film producer, writer and director. He directed Noh Matta Wat!, the first Belizean dramatic television series, which first aired on November 28 2005.-Background and career:...
returned in season 2 to direct the first two episodes, while James E. Cheek took the helm to direct episode 3 and the final episodes 6, 7 and 8. In addition, Kelley Chatman directed episode 4 and Eric Berry
Eric Berry
James Eric Berry , nicknamed "The Fifth Dimension" is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted 5th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-High school career:Berry played at Creekside High School in...
directed episode 5.
The DVD release of season 2 has been re-edited by Steve T. Berry
S. Torriano Berry
Steven Torriano Berry is an award-winning American film producer, writer and director. He directed Noh Matta Wat!, the first Belizean dramatic television series, which first aired on November 28 2005.-Background and career:...
so that the original sequencing of scenes has been rearranged. To add further confusion as to who directed what the existing credits on the first release of season 2 DVDs contains several errors. For instance, the reedited version of episode 2 now contains several scenes directed by James E. Cheek without mention of him as director in the credits and episode 3 has Kelley Chatman's name as sole director in the opening credits when in fact the episode contains scenes directed by both Ms. Chatman and Eric Berry
Eric Berry
James Eric Berry , nicknamed "The Fifth Dimension" is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted 5th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-High school career:Berry played at Creekside High School in...
. But the most glaring error is the opening credit given to Eric Berry as the director of episodes 6, 7 and 8 when in fact the re-edited versions contain scenes mostly directed by James E. Cheek and a few scenes directed by producer Denvor Fairweather.
Sponsors
For the past two seasons, Noh Matta Wat! has solicited the sponsorship of some of Belize's premier business houses. As of Season 2, 13 Productions (the distributor of the show as well as its creator) solicited some corporate sponsorship. A full list of sponsors may be seen in the show's closing credits as well as on its website.Unlike other programs, Noh Matta Wat!'s sponsor commercials are embedded in the telecast, added during post-production.
Season Overviews
The pilotTelevision pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
episode of Noh Matta Wat! aired November 28, 2005. To date, nineteen episodes of the program have aired, five in season 1, nine in season 2, and five in season 3.
Introduction to the Diego family
In Season 1, we are introduced to The Diego familyThe Diegos (Noh Matta Wat)
The Diego family are the main characters in the Belizean television miniseries Noh Matta Wat!. The following are short summaries of each character; for more on their respective roles in the show, see the show's article.-Tomasa Diego:...
. The family, of Garifuna descent, is a seemingly normal Belizean family. There is grandmother Tomasa Diego, her granddaughters Margaret and Lisani and Margaret's son Randy Diego. Margaret loves her son and sister. But she tends to believe the best in people, a belief that seems to do her more harm than good. Lisani, an independent but slightly naive girl, is studying and working part-time to furnish a better lifestyle for the family. Meanwhile, Randy dreams of becoming a performer and artist. He works with neighbour Dan Man
Dan Man
Dan Man is the stage name of Belizean entertainer Allison Hemsley. Hemsley, born in Belize City in 1973, is a local musician and composer that has led the return of local rap and dancehall music to Belizean airwaves.- Participation in 2005 protests :...
, an established Creole
Belizean Kriol people
The Belizean Creoles, locally known as Kriols, are Creole descendants of English and Scottish log cutters, as well as Black African slaves brought to Belize. Other small minorities include Creoles and the Miskito from Nicaragua, Jamaicans, and other West Indians who assisted in the logging...
entertainer who sees Randy's talent and nurtures it as best he can. Dan Man represents a sort of father-figure to Randy.
The Steve Castillo problem
Lisani and her best friend Rosanna RamirezRosanna Ramírez
Rosanna Ramírez is a fictional eighteen year old student in Belizean drama miniseries Noh Matta Wat! She is played by Hershabeth Ramclam.-Role in the series:...
, a wayward Spaniard with a penchant for excess, are picked up by the American expatriate Steve Castillo
Steve Castillo
Steve Castillo is a fictional expatriate in the dramatic miniseries Noh Matta Wat! He is played by Belizean actor Curtis Gillett.- Before the series :...
. Castillo, himself a flirt, finds it easy to converse with both young women, and has little idea that Lisani is the child whom he abandoned in youth to follow his own life. Margaret, who had never told Lisani the truth about Castillo, is now forced to tell her and, in so doing, endure her hatred for a time. Steve, who vows in one of the scene in the last episode to be there for Lisani, is later accosted by thugs Juni and Luga
Juni and Luga
Mark "Juni" Sampson and Carl "Luga" Bailey were escaped criminals stalking Randy Diego in the Belizean television series Noh Matta Wat! They are assistants to drug dealer Ray Phillips and are responsible for some of the crimes taking place during the timeline of the series.- Appearance :Sampson is...
, shot and forced to flee Belize.
Introduction to Clifford Rowland
Randy, stressed about not knowing who his own father is, records the single "Daddy, Come Find Me". In an irony of fate, Randy and the street hoods Juni and Luga and the erstwhile drug dealer Ray Phillips were hanging out when the latter trio shot and killed a rival. Randy is framed for the murder, and in jail, finds out that the man who will defend him, Clifford RowlandClifford Rowland
Clifford Rowland is a fictional government politician in the Belizean dramatic television series Noh Matta Wat! He is played by Kent Clare.-Season 1:Rowland is intelligent but naive and prone to corruption...
, is his father and a minister of Government and that he and Lisani are in fact half-brother & sister.
In the end, the family has been thoroughly tested in and redeemed by their love for each other.
Season 2
In preparation for the 2nd season, producers focused not only on the Diegos but also these subplots: the Ramirez family and their problems, Rowland's unrepentant corruption and womanizing, his intrusion into Randy's life, the relationship between Dan Man and Margaret, and Lisani's coworker apparently being pregnant with the child of Lisani's erstwhile father, Steve. A media campaign was launched beginning with the reruns in syndication of the first season, the announcement of a motion picture adaptation, and the release of the first season on DVD. The second season "premiere party" was held on June 15, 2006 at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts in Belize CityBelize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
and featured sneak previews of the first two episodes of the second season. It also marked the first appearance as main cast members for Kent Clare (Clifford Rowland
Clifford Rowland
Clifford Rowland is a fictional government politician in the Belizean dramatic television series Noh Matta Wat! He is played by Kent Clare.-Season 1:Rowland is intelligent but naive and prone to corruption...
) and Hershabeth Ramclam (Rosanna Ramirez
Rosanna Ramírez
Rosanna Ramírez is a fictional eighteen year old student in Belizean drama miniseries Noh Matta Wat! She is played by Hershabeth Ramclam.-Role in the series:...
).
The second season premiered on Channel 5 on July 3, 2006. It begins with Tomasa "gossiping" with Ms. Sarita, a friend and customer, about her family's happenings, particularly about the return of Clifford Rowland, who is now trying to be more involved in Randy and Margaret's life.
Clifford Rowland
Rowland's politics is more corrupt than viewers had ever seen in Season 1, as he was trying to broker a deal with his friend and Ministry partner, Jack, who tells him (in CreoleBelizean Kriol language
Belizean Creole English, known as Kriol by its speakers, is an English-based creole language most closely related to Miskito Coastal Creole, Limón Coastal Creole, Colón Creole, San Andrés and Providencia Creole, Guyanese Creole, Jamaican Patois and English creoles of the Caribbean show similarity...
),"it wa be sweet fu me, and fi you." A second subplot features doings in Clifford's office as his sneaky secretary Shanice (portrayed by Elizabeth Villanueva) causes trouble and aide Preston (portrayed by both Denver Fairweather and Ansel West) is secretly selling him out; Randy is already predisposed in his mind against Clifford, and he makes little effort to get to know him. Margaret, on the other hand, insists to Tomasa and Randy that "Clifford will be in this family whether you like it or not." Tomasa, in her anger at this, abruptly leaves and doesn't speak to Margaret for a couple of days. When Rowland comes over to supper with the family, Tomasa, Randy and perhaps Dan Man, treat him as a nuisance. Rowland does not approve of Dan Man's role in Randy's life and says as much, then offers to pay for Randy's music career. Randy throws a tantrum, dismissing Rowland and refers to Dan Man as his father-figure. Margaret is angered and later apologizes to Tomasa, citing that she only wished Rowland and Randy to be close. He later cuts a song introduced to the world by DJ Kenny Morgan of WAVE Radio
WAVE Radio
WAVE Radio, a Belize City radio station operating since 1998, is the radio arm of the United Democratic Party . It is located at the corner of Ebony Street and the Belchina Bridge entrance, at the UDP Headquarters.- History :...
, in which he castigates politicians in general and Rowland in particular.
Lisani and Sharlene
Meanwhile, Lisani's coworker Sharlene confides to her boss, Dawn, that she may be pregnant for Steve, who had fled after the ambush in season 1. She hopes to find him and convince him to help her raise the baby. But Dawn, knowing of Sharlene's schemes, convinces her to tell Lisani, who nearly found out after she left her purse in the shop and returns to retrieve it. Sharlene contrives to seek help from Tomasa, who resolves not to tell her granddaughter; this is part of her plan to seek monetary compensation from Steve so she can leave Belize for good. Eventually, Sharlene seems to drop the subject.The Ramirez family
A third subplot involves the viewer's formal introduction to the Ramirezes: Agnes, Ramon, Vanessa and Rosanna. They serve as a counterpoint to the Diego family's dysfunction, at least outwardly. Their secret problem is Rosanna's obsession with romance, which hurts her in school. In the fifth episode, after Lisani leaves her with a friend to do homework, Rosanna is forcibly raped. This crystallizes her memories of being molested as a child, and she resolves to find her torturer and make him pay. She leaves for CorozalCorozal
Corozal may mean:* Corozal American Cemetery and Memorial, Panama City, Panama* Corozal District, Belize* Corozal Town, Belize, capital of the district* Corozal, Puerto Rico* Corozal, Sucre, a city of Colombia...
, where she finds out that the man in question is dead; her family resolves to get her help.
In episode eight, a newscaster reports that Steve Castillo's attackers are on the run. The last episode ends with the Diegos celebrating the opening of Margaret's new restaurant.
Politics
In season 2, viewers are introduced to the changed nature of politicsPolitics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
in Belize. The following is presented in context to the series.
New party: the NFP
A new party, the NFP (viewers are not told what the name stands for), has taken power in Belize, replacing the traditional People's United PartyPeople's United Party
The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize, and currently the main opposition party. It is a Christian Democratic party; the current Party Leader is Francis Fonseca....
and United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party (Belize)
The United Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in Belize, and currently the ruling party, having won the 2008 general elections. A centre-right conservative party, it is currently led by Dean Barrow.-Founding:...
. No information is given on its membership, policies, or platform.
The party is represented on the show by Minister Clifford Rowland
Clifford Rowland
Clifford Rowland is a fictional government politician in the Belizean dramatic television series Noh Matta Wat! He is played by Kent Clare.-Season 1:Rowland is intelligent but naive and prone to corruption...
, though other members are briefly mentioned. Rowland first appears in episode three of season one, when Margaret Diego appeals to him to rescue her son Randy from jail. He is then in the midst of a scandal over funds to build a local hospital. In season two, Rowland continues his shady ways while conducting an affair with his secretary. Unfortunately for Rowland, aide Preston (played by first Denvor Fairweather and later Ansel West) is secretly selling him out to the local media and Belizeans dislike the NFP even more than they did the PUP or UDP (at least according to the characters). At the end of season two Rowland's marriage is in shambles and his political career is under threat.
Relation to series
The NFP presumably represents the creators' view of the current political stalwarts, the PUP and UDP. Belizeans typically feel that neither party is able or willing to rid itself of underhandedness in political operations and fly-by-night tactics, and this is reflected in the characters' reaction to Rowland in the series.The real parties appear to have no qualms with the series; on Independence Day 2006 Leader of the Opposition Dean Barrow
Dean Barrow
Dean Oliver Barrow is Prime Minister of Belize and leader of the United Democratic Party. An attorney by trade, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1998 and was then Leader of the Opposition until the UDP won the February 2008 election...
acknowledged the series in his address and Prime Minister Said Musa
Said Musa
Said Wilbert Musa is a Belizean lawyer and politician. He was the Prime Minister of Belize from August 28, 1998 to February 8, 2008.-Early life and education:Said Musa was born in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize...
followed suit.
Season 1
Season One covered five episodes aired from November 28-December 25, 2005. Channel 5Great Belize Television
Great Belize Television, or as it is locally known, Channel 5, is a Belize City-based local television station established in December of 1991. Channel 5 airs mostly American and Caribbean programs, as well as a variety of locally produced programs...
aired the premiere each week following local news at 7:15 PM, repeated on Saturdays at eight; Channel 7
Tropical Vision Limited
Tropical Vision Limited, or as it is locally known, Channel 7, is a Belize City based television station operating since 1981.Its Managing Director is Nestor Vasquez.- Schedule :Weekdays...
aired it on Tuesdays following news and Sundays at 7:00 PM; and Krem Television
Krem Television
Krem Television is a Belizean television station established in 2004 and serving Belize City.Its manager is KREM Radio alumnus Evan "Mose" Hyde and it is part of KREMANDALA Ltd.- Establishment :...
aired the program at 9:00 PM on Thursdays and 3:00 PM on Fridays. Occasionally, Five and Seven would move the program to 9:00 PM to accommodate their respective news blocks.
The series returned in syndication during March and April 2006.
Season 2
Airtimes were the same as in season 1. The eighth episode experienced technical difficulties with audio. Thus, 13 Productions and the broadcasters decided to re-edit the 8th episode by combining it with the season finale into a full hour mini-feature due to air the following week. As planned, the newly edited 8th episode and the season finale aired on all three broadcast outlets the ninth and final week. Reruns aired from October 2006 to January 2007 and from July 17 to September 9, 2007 on Channel 7 and Krem TelevisionKrem Television
Krem Television is a Belizean television station established in 2004 and serving Belize City.Its manager is KREM Radio alumnus Evan "Mose" Hyde and it is part of KREMANDALA Ltd.- Establishment :...
in anticipation of the third season (Channel 5 experienced conflict due to the equally popular Karaoke Television
Karaoke Television
Karaoke Television, usually called KTV for short, was a live-action music competition airing on Great Belize Television . It premiered in February 2001 and completed six seasons as of October 30, 2007.-Origins and format:...
, entering its sixth season).
Season 3
Reports on the home website in March 2007 indicate that producers were facing serious competition from bootlegged editions of both seasons one and two and that 13 Productions is tangled in a legal battle with bootleggers in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in particular, which briefly put a third season in jeopardy. March Website report
The site also reports that authentic Season 2 DVDs have gone on sale as of August 5, 2007 in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Houston, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Miami as well as Belize.
The third season has begun airing as of October 1, 2007. 13 Productions held a grand premiere on September 19, 2007 at the Bliss Center for the Performing ArtsSeptember Insider report. Number of episodes is currently unknown, but teaser footage has been airing in promotional videos during episode 2 repeats. Series creator Fairweather told broadcast partner Great Belize Television
Great Belize Television
Great Belize Television, or as it is locally known, Channel 5, is a Belize City-based local television station established in December of 1991. Channel 5 airs mostly American and Caribbean programs, as well as a variety of locally produced programs...
that the season would focus on domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
and youth violence; politician Clifford Rowland will play a prominent role according to actor Kent Clare.