Throng

Throughout February and March, TVNZ Kidzone24 will be taking to the road, to see pre-schoolers all over the country.

With lots of fun, games and activities, it’s your chance to meet the new Kidzone host Morgan, play on the premium edition of Kidzone Magic Desktop; plus hang out with some of your favourite characters from Kidzone24’s local shows – including Rufus from Pop-Up, and SpottyWot and DottyWot from the WotWots.

Kidzone24 will also be visiting selected kindergartens in both the north and south island. Speak to your child’s kindergarten teacher to find out if we’re coming to a centre near you.

MediaWorks is premiering full episodes of two of the biggest television shows of the 2012 season online, ahead of their television broadcasts next month.

Top-rating Zooey Deschenal sitcom New Girl, which is set to screen on FOUR from Tuesday 7 February, is available to watch online from today at FOUR.co.nz/NewGirl. 

The multi-Golden Globe winning Homeland, one of the most anticipated dramas of the year, will be available to watch at TV3.co.nz/Homeland from 9am, Thursday 2 February, ahead of its TV3 debut. 

Each episode will be available online for a week, and the special advance screenings are only for the season premieres.

The initiative is a first for the broadcasting company, which has a stable of television, radio and online assets, including a well-patronised ‘on demand’ catch-up television service.

Canterbury Television chairman Nick Smith and Maori Television chief executive Jim Mather have announced that the full Christchurch Earthquake Memorial Service will screen live on both channels on February 22.

Mr Smith said the stations want to commemorate the anniversary of this significant event with all people in New Zealand as well as those in Canterbury who suffered the devastation of the earthquake first-hand.

He said he was pleased Maori Television has stepped up to provide support for the special broadcast.  

“Maori Television has committed to contribute to the costs associated with the broadcast, and CTV staff and affected families are most grateful for their support.

“CTV is also exploring other funding options for the actual service,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Mather said the decision to broadcast the memorial live for all New Zealanders was “the right thing to do” given CTV’s tragic loss of 16 staff on February 22 last year.

Most watched

1. One News: 649,890 (TV ONE, 6:00pm - 7:00pm)
2. Shortland Street: 562,660 (TV2, 7:00pm - 7:30pm)
3. Coronation Street: 461,160 (TV ONE, 7:30pm - 8:30pm)
4. Motorway Patrol: 404,180 (TV2, 7:30pm - 8:00pm)
5. Embarrassing Bodies: 393,320 (TV2, 8:30pm - 9:35pm)

Most watched evening (7.30pm - 11pm)

1. Coronation Street: 461,160 (TV ONE, 7:30pm - 8:30pm)
2. Motorway Patrol: 404,180 (TV2, 7:30pm - 8:00pm)
3. Embarrassing Bodies: 393,320 (TV2, 8:30pm - 9:35pm)
4. Air Ways: 358,260 (TV2, 8:00pm - 8:30pm)
5. Big Fat Gypsy Weddings: 286,590 (TV ONE, 8:30pm - 9:35pm)

Most watched daytime (9am - 5pm)

Morgan returns to 30 Rock

Tracy Morgan has returned to 30 Rock following his hospitalisation last week after collapsing at the Sundance Film Festival. Morgan’s reps said the collapse was due to a combination of exhaustion and altitude sickness.

Office character getting spin-off?

The Office’s Rainn Wilson is said to be getting a spin-off series where his character Dwight Schrute will be the focus. 

Here is a run down of the 5 most important stories on One News and 3 News tonight.  Please leave your comments on the bulletins in the comments below.

One News

1. Occupy Auckland protesters evicted (Stephen Smith, live cross)
2. POAL expansion plans (Ruth Wynn-Williams)
3. Teapot tapes leaked (Michael Parkin, live cross)
4. John Key's State of the Nation speech
5. Christhchurch City Council problems (Alison Pugh)

3 News

1. Mona Blades mystery (Alex Bourn, live cross)
2. Fiji floods (Tony Reid)
3. Papua New Guinea floods
4. Papua New Guinea 
5. Julia Gillard in tussel (Samantha Hayes, live cross)

Commentary

There were no stories in common tonight.

Some are calling it the greatest television interview of the millennium, but whether you’re a fan of Madonna or not, her turn on The Graham Norton Show on Friday, February 3rd at 9pm on 3, is worth tuning into - even just to see Graham Norton struck down by “fandom”.

Tomorrow night sees Graham welcoming his “dream guest” to the sofa. Talking about everything from her upcoming album, her new movie, and her supposed rivalry with Lady Gaga, Madonna left Graham raving.

“Still high on Madonna love,” he said afterwards. 

But it was the Material Girl’s thoughts on Lady Gaga that surprised the king of talk most.

Unlike the snide remarks that she made in previous interviews, where she referred to comparisons of herself to Gaga as “reductive”, Madonna actually gave the pop princes a compliment.

Most watched

1. One News: 573,760 (TV ONE, 6:00pm - 7:00pm)
2. Shortland Street: 519,960 (TV2, 7:00pm - 7:35pm)
3. Find My Family: 418,610 (TV ONE, 7:30pm - 8:00pm)
4. Children's Hospital: 381,340 (TV ONE, 8:00pm - 8:30pm)
5. Two and a Half Men: 346,580 (TV2, 7:35pm - 8:00pm)

Most watched evening (7.30pm - 11pm)

1. Find My Family: 418,610 (TV ONE, 7:30pm - 8:00pm)
2. Children's Hospital: 381,340 (TV ONE, 8:00pm - 8:30pm)
3. Two and a Half Men: 346,580 (TV2, 7:35pm - 8:00pm)
4. Winners & Losers: 335,240 (TV ONE, 8:30pm - 9:30pm)
5. Hot In Cleveland: 291,070 (TV2, 8:00pm - 8:30pm)

Most watched daytime (9am - 5pm)