Information About & An Example Of The Nigerian Television Series "Professor John Bull" (Season 1 Episode 5: A Good Flavour)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series that highlights YouTube videos of three complete episodeS of the Nigerian television series Professor John Bull.

Part I presents information about the Nigerian television series Professor John Bull and showcases a YouTube video of Season 1 Episode 5: A Good Flavour). This complete episode features guest star Nigerian Highlight superstar Flavour N'abania.

Selected comments from this YouTube video's discussion thread are also included in this post. Some of these comments refer to that television series and/or that episode, and one or more of its actors. Most of the other featured comments in this post include examples of African American Vernacular English or certain examples of Nigerian Pidgin English and/or examples of the Nigerian language custom of using multiple o's as intensifiers (a way of emphasizing what was said or written).

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/examples-of-colloquial-use-of-killing.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II showcases three complete episodes of the Professor John Bull series: Season 1 Episode 5 ("A Good Flavour") that was showcased in Part I of this series, Season 2 - Episode 3 (Selfie Stick), and Season 2 - Episode 5 (Oil Windfall). I'm showcasing these particular episodes , in part, because of their titles, and in part because of their high total number of viewers compared with some of the other episodes of this series.

Part II also includes definitions for the American colloquial terms "killing it" and the American colloquial term "killing me". This post also includes some examples from those videos' discussion thread of these terms as well as examples of forms of "killing me" such as " __ don't kill me with laughter" and "___ won't kill me with laughter".

As of the publication date for this pancocojams blog post, the latest episode of this series that has been published on YouTube is Professor JohnBull Season 6 - Episode 8 (Hip Life) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMzSPwgs-FY Published on Jun 1, 2018.

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The content of this post is presented for cultural and entertainment purposes.

All copyright remains with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are involved with the Nigerian Professor John Bull television series and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this television episode on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE NIGERIAN TELEVISION SERIES "PROFESSOR JOHN BULL"
From https://guardian.ng/life/film/identity-review-of-the-cast-of-glos-professor-johnbull/ Identity Review Of The Cast Of Glo’s Professor Johnbull [full reprint]
BY OBAJUSIGBE SOLOMON; 19 FEBRUARY 2017
..."the TV drama series, Professor Johnbull, sponsored by Globacom, and which in the last 26 weeks, has been beamed to millions of viewers in Nigeria through NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes on Tuesdays and Fridays, can be said to be a poignant piece – to the extent that it is episodic in structure and satiric in aim.

The sitcom, which has had two full seasons of 13 episodes each, has a cast of 12 regular performers and other regular and irregular cameo appearances by notable artists from Nigeria and Ghana, many of them being brand ambassadors of Globacom, the telecommunications outfit which doubles as the Executive Producer of the sitcom, directed by Tchidi Chikere.

The lead character of the series and from whom it derives its name is Professor Johnbull Eriweagwuagwu Macnwigwe, played by the doyen of Nollywood, Kanayo O. Kanayo. A widower and retired academician, Professor Johnbull lives with his son, (Churchill), daughter (Elizabeth) and housemaid (Caro) in a serene neighbourhood in Enugu, the eastern part of Nigeria, where he, by virtue of his academic and social exposure, becomes the voice and conscience of the people. His house is a melting pot of activities.

[...]

Closely related to Professor Johnbull in character and mode is his amiable daughter, Elizabeth Ifemyoluchukwu Nwigwe, acted by another popular Nollywood star, Queen Nwokoye. Elizabeth, as a psychology undergraduate, remains all through the two seasons, an acquiescent daughter of Professor Johnbull, agreeing with the professor all the way even when she is not too sure he is right. She is a modern mini replica of her father, the professor- perfectionist. Elizabeth is responsible for picking Caro, the housemaid, off the streets, where she was an orange hawker and bringing her to the house as a maid and devotes time to brushing her up in terms of etiquettes and education. She is compassionate and kind.

Contrastively, Elizabeth’s elder brother, Churchill Ikenga Nwigwe, acted by Jnr. Pope Odonwodo, a mechanical engineering graduate and only son of Professor Johnbull, is an unswerving character, who remains firm, and unchanging in the pursuit of a career in music to the consternation of his father. Churchill is fashionable, a good dresser and very independent minded young man, who wants to make his own money and name. With the constant bickering with his father and the conspiracy of Elizabeth and Caro, the housemaid, Churchill seldom depends on the professor for his needs though he remains a great admirer of his father and sees him as a hero of some sort.

And from the professor’s household comes the ‘mischievous’ housemaid, Caro, played by Mercy Johnson Okojie. An illiterate orange hawker, who became the housemaid of Professor Johnbull, Caro remains the greatest admirer of the scholar, who she calls and refers to as “Professor Sir” whether or not the professor is present. In her rustic state, she adapts to her benefactor’s household and appreciates the fact that they are trying to make her a better person in life."...

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Excerpt #2:
From http://www.gloworld.com/ng/latest-news/nigerians-rock-flavours-hot-single-for-new-glo-t-v-series-prof-johnbull/
Nigerians rock Flavour’s hot single for new Glo TV series, Prof. Johnbull
admin, [no date given]
"Celebrated Glo ambassador, Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour, is currently ruling the airwaves in Enugu, Owerri , Aba, and other cities in South East Nigeria with his new Single, Prof Johnbull which he specially composed for a Globacom TV series.

Radio stations in the area have started blasting the song massively on their stations.

Professor Johnbull is a T. V social satire series, sponsored by grand-masters of data, Globacom.

Globacom specially commissioned Nollywood genius, Tchidi Chikere to produce the TV series while iconic Nollywood star Richard Mofe-Damijo is the consultant.

The four-minute song, celebrates notable stars featuring in the series such as Kanayo O. Kanayo,, Patience Ozokwor (Mama G), Bimbo Akintola, Mercy Johnson, Yomi Fash Lanso, Ime Bishop, Queen Nwokoye, Chiwetalu Agu and several other top Bollywood stars and Glo Ambassadors.

The scintillating sound track highlights the key messages which the TV series promotes..

It reveals the main character, Prof. Johnbull, played by Nollywood star, Kanayo O. Kanayo, and portrays the professor as a man who delights in expressing himself grandiloquently.

Without reducing the suspense, the music summarizes the TV series’ storyline. For instance, it repeatedly hails the erudite scholar who has travelled round the world acquiring knowledge and expanding his vocabulary.

Mainly rendered in Igbo language with sprinkles of English language, the rhythm of the sound track, is vintage Flavour’s urban highlife music genre."...
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENQTMEMdxGw for a sound file of Flavour's song "Professor John Bull" that was published on YouTube on June 28, 2016.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Professor JohnBull - Episode 5 (A Good Flavour)



Professor JohnBull, Published on Aug 28, 2016

In the 5th episode of Professor Johnbull, Glo-sponsored TV drama series, the erudite academic slams arrogant star artistes and wannabes who allow fame and success to adversely affect their social relations.

The latest episode of the popular television drama series, titled A Good Flavour features star highlife crooner, Chinedu Okojie, popularly known as Flavour who visits the intellectual to request a favour.

Though Flavour attempts to make his visit to the academic’s abode absolutely private and ‘’without the usual drama of his entire crew’’, the professor’s household still feels awe-struck as Caro (Mercy Johnson-Okojie), Churchill (Junior Pope) and Elizabeth (Queen Nwokoye) exhibit different reactions upon sighting the star artiste in their residence....

Professor John Bull ...Comedy Series Sponsored by Glo.

Featuring Kanayo O. Kanayo, Mercy Johnson Okojie, Imeh Bishop, Yomi Fashlanso, Junior Pope, Bimbo Akintola, Funky Mallam, Bidemi Kosoko and many more...
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only). Note that some of the comments given as "2017" may have been published in 2016.
1. African Barbie, 2017
"I love my tribe chai. Everyone so handsome and beautiful. Igbo kwenu✋🏾"

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REPLY
2. Anyanwu Silas, 2017
"Igbo is an ethnic group and not a tribe"

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3. Agnes Wangari, 2017
"African Barbie am kenyan but i love igbo pple they are so friendly and supportive igbo kwenu"
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/10/excerpts-of-articles-that-explain-what.html for a pancocojams post entitled "What "Igbo Kwenu!" Means

Here's an excerpt from that post that quotes brpsaplit http://www.bookdrum.com/books/things-fall-apart/1657/bookmark/184718.html
"The Ibo people have a culture to which community, solidarity, and unity are important. Their phrase “Igbo kwenu” most literally means, “We the Ibo people stand together in agreement and collective will.” It is also a shortened form of a longer phrase, “Igbo kwere na ihe ha kwuru” which means roughly, “The Igbo believe in what they have agreed upon to think, say, and do."...
-snip-
"Ibo" is an incorrect referent for Igbo people, language, and culture."
-snip-
http://naijalingo.com/words/chai
"Chai!
Definition: Usually exclamation, used to express grief, surprise, disappointment and anger, e.t.c see also choi
Example: Chai! Dem don chop our money oooo..."

and
http://naijalingo.com/words/chai-4a2bb68e-600f-4ca1-9c82-0c1f9161ec4d
"Chai
Definition: What! Example: Chai e kill in mama?"
-snip-
I've also come across these definitions for the Nigerian use of "chai"/"choi"= "Wow!" and "Oh my goodness!" (OMG!).

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4. queenblinks, 2017
"Chaiiii! Flavour is very charming 😍😍"

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5. belinda justins, 2017
"Flavour is cute for days choi!"

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6. kamaldine jolie, 2017
"mercy johnson na my girl for reall😂😂😅 i so love her😘"
-snip-
http://naijalingo.com/words/n/alphabet
"na" = [it] is

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7. Princess Ray, 2017
"wow,this is the best tv program that i don't want to miss any episode ,mercy your really funny. i was watch you in the radio and hear you in the television lol funny lady .prof prof i hail o,GLO your the best ,thanks for putting a smile on the face of your customers and the rest of the people in and out of NIGERIA. HAPPY NEW YEAR OF FLOURISHING"

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8. Jennifer Wisdom, 2017
"Flavour handsome sha. I love all the actors and actresses
-snip-
http://naijalingo.com/words/s/alphabet
"sha" = anyway; like that"

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9. Ogonna Odezugo, 2017
"others will see flavour nd pass but Caro fainted mj u re so funny"

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10. Afrimedia, 2017
"Mercy Johnson , a Kogi girl, playing an Igbo so convincingly, that is pure star quality !"

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REPLY
11. emmanuel james, 2017
"I heard that her mom is an Igbo woman"

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12. Noble Joe, 2017
"Professor Johnbull, Professor of the 21st century"

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13. Mercyda Cooks, 2017
"Flavor so cool❤️❤️❤️❤️"

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14. Tochi Maryann, 2017
"OmG! Mama purity dance moves ehn! The expression on her face. So glad this is YouTube. If this was a dvd I'm sure by now I would have cracked it! I replayed that dance scene maybe 10times!
Prof johnbull be like 'Flavour,this is a paternal matter.Over & Out'.😀
See Caro facial expression. 😀Nwa mama!"

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15. Kiky Roquemore, 2017
"HAHAHAHAH! This is good... really good! And, was that a commercial at the beginning?! That was hilarious and very well filmed!"

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16. Nneka Stephanie Ngoka, 2017
"mercy always on point"

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17. Hawa D Firstlady, 2017
"Glory and thanks be to God, I am short of la. MY TWO favor Mercy and Flavour I am in heaven. I really want to meet both of them."

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18. jallyosman kuku, 2017
"it is great using internet for more information"

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19. D Silvie, 2017
"Nice one Glo. Thanks for the entertainment."

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20. Rahmatallah afolarin, 2017
"good job everyone.
mercy you are so funny ooooo!"

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21. Francess Igwebueze, 2017
"nice one..this drama is very educative....stop living in a world of fantasy...well done guys.....lovely.."

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22. Ecc Bcc, 2017
"this is a very good show .hope in every movies of our days ll let ppl to kn that what they are watch is an entertament nt a reality shows"

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23. Loveline Foryah, 2017
"Flavour is very handsome ooh wao!!"
-snip-
"Wao" = wow!

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24. Chantal Otshudi, 2017
"Good instruction: BEFORE HONOUR IS HUMILITY"

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25. Anna Mirabel, 2017
"wow!!! am in love with this movie and a lot lesson to learn be natural always,kudos to mercy johnson . Nice one flavour"

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26. Jay Darlings, 2017
""Mondore mondore" 😂😂"

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REPLY
27. Xp Light, 2017
"Joy Offorji Mon Dieu means My God"
-snip-
"Mondore Mondore" (meaning "My God" in a corrupted form of French) appears to be one of Professor John Bull's catchphrases.

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28. Tony Dapeace, 2017
"You just can't help but love Mercy Johnson more and more,,Flavour added a lot of spice to this Episode as well... Wonderful job in a whole"

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29. Jeas nuest, 2017
"😂😂😂😂Mercy Johnson.chaii i love you so much"

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30. gocamer, 2017
"love mercy so.muchhhh she is just woooo in her role as caro..lolll"

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31. Bruno Moses, 2017
"Hahaha hahaha hahaha this Guy's are very funny 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂"

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32. Blessing Queen, 2017
"waoo..so inspiring"

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33. Peter Matthew, 2018
"the show was amazing.
with flavour and mercy Johnston,,it was a bomb."
-snip-
The correct way of using this African American Vernacular English term is "the bomb" (meaning "the greatest") and not "a bomb".

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34. JBB COMEDIES, 2018
"You guys are good on this game."

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35. Racheal Angonai, 2018
"mercy Johnson hahahaha u don't tire ooooo"

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36. Effuah Barber_Richards, 2018
"From Sierra Leone
Wow,I'm greatly impress.God bless the brain person of this."

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37. Obilo Lite, 2018
"Professor johnbull i think you need to go for presidency in Nigeria."

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This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

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Visitor comments are welcome.