Dennis Mugo, better known by his stage name OJ, was a former Tahidi High actor and has criticized Citizen TV for running repeats of the program.
During an episode of his YouTube show on Saturday, September 19, the popular actor took issue with the media station over the Tahidi High episodes.
“I was not even aware that the station was airing reruns of the show, so when someone stopped and told me they saw me on TV on Sunday, I was surprised,” he stated.
OJ stated that the station had the right to air the episodes as they owned the rights to the show. However, he noted that the actors were not getting paid for the reruns.
OJ on Citizen TV’s fisrt episode
He attributed the lack of pay to contracts they signed when they first filmed the show, which gave the station the right to air and benefit from the episodes for as long as they pleased.
The content creator observed that the contracts given to the young actors back then were predatory in nature as they did not stipulate payment for reruns.
He further observed that it was not right that stations were making money from old shows yet actors were not getting paid for the same.
OJ explained that the perception of one being on screen and getting paid well was affecting the life of many actors with some falling into depression.
He further stated that the shows episodes could negatively impact an actor’s brand with many having gone on to establish themselves in other careers like journalism and the corporate world.
OJ faults Citizen TV
The actor also faulted the station for airing the episodes since some of the cast had passed away.
“In my opinion, it might not be good for the family of an actor like Derrick Amunga, who died, being seen on the screen again,” he stated.
OJ called on media agencies to relook into actors’ contracts as he also pleaded with the film bodies to protect the artistes as well.
Since leaving the show, OJ has delved into the advertising industry to work as a creative director for different advertisements. He also helps run a talent academy in Embu County.
He recently launched his YouTube Channel OJ Flix where he airs weekly episodes on different topics.
