Jihad on NBR
NBR’s In Tray flicks at their favourite victim again as part of a Saving TVNZ feature:
David P Farrar, veteran blogger: There comes a point beyond which a quality television watcher cannot be pushed, and for me that came recently when I switched on the TV hoping to see the blasphemous and outrageous Bloody Mary episode of South Park, only to find that I had obviously tuned in at the wrong time, thus ending up instead looking at what appeared to be an entirely innocuous semi-pornographic webpage presented by somebody who spent Valentine’s Day looking at a photograph of his lesbian friend’s breasts. And then I realised I was looking at my own blog!!!!
Let it be known that the Church of Farrar takes great offence at this satire of its main prophet and will be burning down NBR’s Wellington Embassy as a peaceful protest.
The entire In-tray article is over the break:
In tray
The National Business Review – 17 February 2006 : 20-02
Saving TVNZ
Eminent citizens, who say they have had enough of pulp programming and they want the government to set up a publicly funded channel, reveal the “quality’ shows” they would most like brought back under a BBC-style state broadcaster …
Rodney Hide, political leader: I always had a soft spot for Letter to Jonesy, the situation comedy written by the great team of Jon Gadsby, David McPhail and A K Grant. Perhaps the best episode was the one where the politician from a minor party sends a letter to a parliamentary committee chairman. Whereupon the committee chairman proceeds to rip up the letter! Absolutely hilarious.
Sir Ian Fraser, veteran broadcaster: Back in the early days of current affairs broadcasting, viewers who tuned in to watch the country’s greatest interviewer grilling his guests each week on Newsmakers – and then later on the old Sunday programme – could count on seeing him “uncovering the men behind the glasses.” What do we see on television today? Where are the great mediators? Who’s getting paid for doing nothing? Don’t ask me.
Mrs Peter Davis, PhD: Who says Kiwis have never made an impact on the world television stage? Back when we were courting, my future husband Helen and I used to watch a very insightful show called Edwards At Large. It featured a Welsh presenter called Brian O’Edwards interviewing famous New Zealanders about their careers and terrible childhood experiences. Every interview was revealing and well handled by the up and coming reporter. But what does TVNZ feed us nowadays? Just imported rubbish like Home Improvement, Desperate Housewives and Shortland Street.
Theresa Gattung, business leader: Watching the latest pop music on TV every Saturday evening on Happen Inn was always a highlight for me as a girl growing up in the 1960s. The performers I liked best were The Chicks. Now they were what I would call a real “broad band.” It’s been a long time since everybody enjoyed a real broad band. I suppose it will be a long time till they ever do again. Sigh.
Dr Wayne Mapp, civil rights campaigner: Thank you for inviting me to address this important subject. Back when I was a lad, it was common for most cartoon shows to feature characters based on famous Middle Eastern prophets. At the time, viewers simply enjoyed a good bellylaugh – and then went about their usual business. Show the same thing on so-called “state owned” television today and the next thing you know there will be millions of people from around the world rioting in the streets and burning down embassies. You may call it the era of the charter. I call it political correctness gone mad.
Mike Williams, political party leader: Although the show probably seems quaint by today’s standards, It’s In The Bag always seemed to “hit the button” in our working class household. Whether it was old Selwyn Toogood or a much younger John Hawkesby doing the … oh sorry, the phone is ringing … excuse me for a moment ….okay, I’m back again. Look you’ll have to excuse me from this. Helen’s just told me that Ron Mark could be making a move against Winston, thereby destabilising the government and I’ve got to do everything I can to calm the little guy down. Bye.
David P Farrar, veteran blogger: There comes a point beyond which a quality television watcher cannot be pushed, and for me that came recently when I switched on the TV hoping to see the blasphemous and outrageous Bloody Mary episode of South Park, only to find that I had obviously tuned in at the wrong time, thus ending up instead looking at what appeared to be an entirely innocuous semi-pornographic webpage presented by somebody who spent Valentine’s Day looking at a photograph of his lesbian friend’s breasts. And then I realised I was looking at my own blog!!!!