Throng

Most watched

1. The Big Bang Theory: 469,760 (TV2, 8:00pm - 8:30pm)
2. MasterChef New Zealand: 466,210 (TV ONE, 7:30pm - 8:35pm)
3. Two and a Half Men: 453,840 (TV2, 7:35pm - 8:00pm)
4. Packed to the Rafters: 433,560 (TV ONE, 8:35pm - 9:30pm)
5. Shortland Street: 411,730 (TV2, 7:05pm - 7:35pm)

Most watched evening (7.30pm - 11pm)

1. The Big Bang Theory: 469,760 (TV2, 8:00pm - 8:30pm)
2. MasterChef New Zealand: 466,210 (TV ONE, 7:30pm - 8:35pm)
3. Two and a Half Men: 453,840 (TV2, 7:35pm - 8:00pm)
4. Packed to the Rafters: 433,560 (TV ONE, 8:35pm - 9:30pm)
5. Real Life: 408,420 (TV ONE, 9:30pm - 10:30pm)

Most watched daytime (9am - 5pm)

Stars of the TV series Outrageous Fortune have held onto their hotly contested titles in the TV Guide Best on the Box People’s Choice Awards.

Robyn Malcolm, who plays tough-as-nails matriarch Cheryl West in Outrageous Fortune, has been voted Sexiest Woman for the third year running and Best Actress on television for the sixth year in a row.

Malcolm’s co-star in the hit TV series, Antony Starr, holds onto his Sexiest Man title for the second year and the Best Actor gong for the third time.

Considered a sex symbol on-screen, Antony says off-screen it’s a different story. “If I was treated like that I would probably go and hide in cave somewhere because I’d be too embarrassed. I tend to slip under the radar in that department which is fine by me,” he says.

In the Sexiest Woman category, Robyn beat runner-up and Breakfast presenter Pippa Wetzell by a mere 73 votes and while she’s flattered at the result says she is a “pretty normal sort of a bird”.

We're out of the Masterchef Kitchen this week.  Instead, our contestants are heading to the Langham hotel where they'll be hosting 100 stars from the hospitality industry.

Two teams will produce 500 canapes.  Two hot and two cold.

Nigel Anderson is asked to lead the Red team.  He picks Karyn Fisk as the leader of the blue team.  It's strategic.  Nigel isn't sure Karyn is up for leadership.

Nigel picks Brett McGregor, Rob Trathen and Sue Drummond

Stories from Close Up, 17th of March, 2010:

1. The God Delusion - Mark Sainsbury
   • Interview with Richard Dawkins (Biologist/Atheist)
2. Interview with Lydia Ward (Shark attack victim) and her father Tim Ward and brother Alex - Mark Sainsbury (Live)
   • Lydia experiences a Great White Shark from inside a cage
The Wedding Singer - Matt Chisholm
3. • New Zealand Opera singer Ben Makisi proposes to his girlfriend Maina Iremia during a performance
4. The Formyula perform at the Monte Chritso room (Live)

Stories from Campbell Live, 17th of March, 2010:

Remember to follow @I_am_Dan_P for live updates

Team Athena are looking a little on the slim side with only four contestants remaining.  This week's task is about selling a new sandwich.

Number 8 quickly select Rich Henry as their project manager while Catherine Livingstone and Linda Slade both want the job.  They argue their point and finally rock, paper, scissors it.  Catherine wins.

Number 8 decide on the "Summer Roast" as the name of their sandwich which they will sell at the Kingsland store.  At the Takapuna store, Karen Reid calls to find out which sandwiches are the best sellers.  They decide on doing a Chicken sandwich called the "Chicken BBQ Blast".  Karen also decides to agree where ever possible in the hopes of not ending up in the boardroom.

Athena head out onto the street to gauge public opinion on their choice of sandwiches.  The decide on the Chicken Fillet.

Stories from Close Up, 16th of March, 2010:

1. Belt Up - Daniel Faitaua
   • Charles Chauvel (Labour List MP) is in the firing line over comments made regarding the noise level of some children during a flight to wellington
2. Oh-la-la Umaga - Mark Sainsbury
   • Tana Umaga is returning to New Zealand to be involved with Counties-Manukau
3. End of the Line - Mark Sainsbury
   • More complaints from Telecom's service
4. Interview with Steven Joyce (Communications Minister) - Mark Sainsbury (Live)
   • Changes are coming to Telecommunications
5. Is it on? - Tim Wilson
   • Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler's new movie The Bounty Hunter

Close Up's Poll tonight was in relation to the lead item: What would you do?

Stories from Campbell Live, 16th of March, 2010:

1. John Campbell's thoughts on Charles Chauvel's "noisy toddler flight" incident
   

   • This headline from Stuff: MP complains about noisy toddler

     What follows is a non story really about an MP most of you have never heard of, getting frustrated with some noisy children on a flight from Auckland to Wellington.

     What's revealed by this non event?

     Firstly the sense of entitlement felt by Mr Chauvel, an opposition list MP who whilst traveling at the taxpayers expense doesn't want to mix with the taxpayers children it seems. That is the sort of let "them eat cake" attitude that goes some way towards explaining why Labour's in opposition.

     Also revealed though, how ugly and hypocritical right wing blog sites can be.

     Read more