Tinsel cast and crew are in celebration mode as they have reached 3,500 episodes.
This means that Tinsel is officially the longest running TV show in Nigeria and Africa.
Before now, Checkmate (1991-1994), Super Story (2001-2018), New Masquerade (mid-80s – mid-90s), Basi and Company (1986-1990) and I Need to Know (1997-2002) in Nigeria were considered one of the longest running drama series.
The cast and crew will celebrate reaching the 3500th episode milestone on Thursday with the release of a documentary titled ‘Through The Decades: A Tinsel Story’.
The milestone episode will air after the documentary Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Ch. 151) and Family (DStv Ch. 154 and GOtv Ch. 2).
The show was originally launched in 2008. Reimagined several times by producers, it has captivated audiences with its intriguing story of love, influence and scandal set against the backdrop of the Nigerian film industry.
The documentary
The documentary ‘Through The Decades: A Tinsel Story’ shows all the changes, faces, improvements and losses that the show has undergone in its 14 years on television.
The documentary is a unique feature that highlights the journey of the Tinsel pioneer through the eyes of the creators, stakeholders, cast and crew as it celebrates its 15th season and 3500th episode.
The show will feature current and past cast members, current and past MNET/Africa Magic Stakeholders, Tinsel’s original content creator and pioneering show producers and leading industry icons such as Joke Silva, Tade Ogidan, Tunde Kelani, RMD. and more

Steps
Tinsel is not just the longest running show on TV. It still ranks in its time slot and recently won the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
The show is also the first series in Nigeria to embark on a multi-camera studio shoot. One of its most respected and veteran actors, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, also won the 2022 AMVCAs “Industry Merit” award.
Over the years, Tinsel has served as the main launch pad for many popular African faces on TV including Gideon Okeke, Osas Ighodaro, Damilola Adegbite, Chris Attoh, Timini Egbuson, Joseph Benjamin, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Femi Jacobs and many more. .
Interestingly, the show has imitated life and created many love stories between the stars. Couples like The Suleimans (Linda Ejiofor and Ibrahim Suleiman) and The Ukechukwus (Iyke Ukechukwu and Florence Uwaleke) have exited the show. Tinsel still has popular Nollywood actresses like Iretiola Doyle, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Yul Edochie, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Abayomi Alvin and many more.
Busola Tejumola, MultiChoice’s Chief Executive of Content and West African Channels, said the show had maintained its position as one of Africa’s most successful drama series for 14 years.
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