Throng

Maori Television is preparing itself for an influx of kaiwaiata from around the country as popular karaoke-style show HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI opens its doors to new singing talent – with a new series live to air every Friday at 8.30 PM.

It’s not unusual for the streets around Maori Television’s Auckland studio in Newmarket to be filled with singers warming up and trying out different approaches to songs as they wait for the chance to impress the producers of the programme. Some people arrive hours early just to ensure they are the first through the door, such is the interest in HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI.

The live competition is based on audience text votes. Singers perform every week for the chance to win $1,000, and heat winners carry on to the semi-finals. If they come through that, then it is all on and they get to sing their hearts out in the grand final with the chance to win $10,000.

Rose Scicely (Ngati Maniapoto, Ngai Tuhoe) admits she had never seen the show before she headed to Tamaki-makau-rau to take part. But her kids were ardent fans of HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI and they were adamant that this was the opportunity of a lifetime. So five of them piled in to a car and made the three-hour journey north from Otorohanga. After a lifetime of singing at home, at whanau parties and on the marae, Rose relished the opportunity to share her voice with the nation.

On the other hand, Mikaere Paki (Tuwharetoa, Ngati Apa, Kai Tahu, Ngati Porou, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Kauwhata, Ngati Paoa) had seen the show and was keen to take part. But he had to build up to it. “It took a while, then one day I worked up the nerve and I just jumped in my car in Porirua and headed north. I didn’t really tell anyone, I just started driving.”

Both of them made it through the audition process and on to the HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI stage. Rose says it was a bit daunting: “It’s live – really, really live – the music starts and you have to deliver, no mistakes, no second chances. It’s frightening and thrilling and scary and amazing all at the same time. It’s this gift, this opportunity to share your song with the motu. It’s really humbling.”

However, both Rose and Mikaere agree that singers also need to be a bit strategic about how they take their run at HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI. “You may want to sneak up and have a go without putting too much pressure on yourself but if you do get selected to perform, you need to let your whanau know so they can vote for you,” says Mikaere.

HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI producer Erina Tamepo (Ngati Porou, Ngai Tai) has no doubt that there is still a wealth of untapped talent just waiting to be discovered as they open their doors for the fourth season with a new host – Matai Smith (Rongowhakaata, Ngai Tamanuhiri, Ngati Kahungunu).

“I expect to see plenty of fresh faces this time around. I don’t think we’ve seen every singer in the country, although we’ve seen more than a few,” she laughs. ”There’s always this huge sense of anticipation on Friday afternoon, even amongst the most jaded TV types. Who is going to show up today? How will they handle the material, and what bit of magic will we get to see tonight?”

HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI screens on Maori Television every Friday night at 8.30 PM with registrations starting at 4.30 PM and auditions opening at 5.00 PM. For more information about the audition process, check out the HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI page on the website, www.maoritelevision.com, which also includes video on demand.

Watching TV One’s long running consumer affairs show last night on its return to Wednesday nights was highly anticipated.  A new look.  A new team.  And new segments.  But how did it stack up?

The Herald gave the new look show a fairly dismal review and you’d probably find it difficult to disagree with a lot of their comments.

They describe the show as a disjointed series of mediocre “incidents”.

Ben the Builder’s advice to “Do yourself some research” is sarcastically noted as a pearl of wisdom.

What they found most frightening is the use of Gordon Harcourt to track down a missing dog who had been adopted by a family living further down the street.  Gordon’s role was to convince the new owners to give the dog back.

Was it a punchy start to the series?  Not really.  Mau was in her usual good form but I don’t think the first episode lived up to the hype the lemon ads gave us.

Thankfully, there are plenty more weeks for the producers to fine tune the show and bring back the bite.

What did you think?

William Shatner hosting a new series called ‘Shatner’s Aftermath’ which looks at Americans who became household names overnight .

David Letterman’s blackmailer to do jail time.

BBC launching The Junior Apprentice in the UK, made up entirely of 16 and 17 year old contestants.

Rock of Love star Bret Michaels has been released from the Phoenix hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

Check out a weird video of The Hills’ Spencer Pratt freaking out in the midst of a crystal obsession.

Other than the wild (and incorrect) stab in the dark as to the identity of the winner of Masterchef, there wasn’t a sniff of a rumor about who won.  Having been filmed months earlier, keeping the result a secret must have been difficult.  However, it appear that The Apprentice has a different method for keeping the winner a secret until the show airs.  No one knows.

That’s right.  No one knows.  According to Dylan Reeve, an editor at TVNZ, multiple endings with both outcomes were filmed for the season finale which screens next Tuesday on TV2.

If the comments on Twitter are to be believed then no one knows but Terry.  Not the editors.  And certainly not Thomas Ben or David Wyatt.

Smart move.

So does this mean we’re going to have an actual live finale?  Just like the board room set up in a theatre that The Don uses on the US show?  Here’s to some of that!

The hole left by TV3′s departed breakfast show Sunrise is to be filled with infomercials as of Monday.

Although TV3 are currently screening re-runs of Magnum P.I., Frasier and Everybody Loves Raymond on weekday mornings, the 7-9am slot will soon be filled with advertising.

Sunrise concluded on April 9 after TV3 deemed it no longer financially viable. 

ONE News:

1. James McKie interview (Live cross, exclusive, Paul Hobbs)
2. Marice McGregor hunt (John Newton)
3. Emma Campbell hunt
4. Failed NY bomb update (Live cross, Tim Wilson)
5. Failed NY alleged bomber

3 News:

1. Three women found dead Avonhead (Live cross, Juanita Copeland)
2. Norweigan hunters charged (Juliet Speedy)
3. Weka slaughter (Patrick Gower)
4. Crashed airforce helicopter returned to base (Dan Parker)
5. Face transplant patient update

Commentary:

The James McKie interview was really ONE News’ lead story?  The story was first on ONE News in early March and there was no new news in the story.  To me, this is more a story to screen on Close Up.

I personally found it rather silly in the story on the alleged terrorist that we were told that his wife had a Facebook page, and posted comments about loving the TV show Everybody Loves Raymond and speaking of her love for her husband. Gosh, there are a million facts that you could find about any person which are incredibly normal about them and aren’t predictors of being a terrorist.

I’ve noticed that 3 News has a far bigger environmental focus to their stories this year and tonight 3 News found an, er, extreme view for soundbites.  Perfect sensationalism and entertaining, but should this type of person be given air-time?  Did he add any helpful alternate suggestions to the problem?

“The killing or the annihliation or the assassination of any species for an infalable species or reason is a form of murder. [Eating weka] is abhorrent, we’ll be eating people next!” says bird lover Mike Bennett.

Why weren’t the three women in Christchurch in the top 5 on ONE News?

More soon.

Verdict:
TBA

What do you think of the new look set for Fair Go?

Fair Go returns to air tonight on TV One now that Masterchef is over and will have a completely new look.  However, it could be an unfinished look.

TVNZ spokesperson Andi Brotherston tweeted earlier saying

The new Fair Go debutes tonight at 7:30pm. Editor is panicked, the new set’s desk hasn’t arrived, it’s still being painted… ahhhhhhhh!

Nothing like a bit of drama to get the adrenaline running.  Should be a good watch tonight!

Tonight the show features an investigative story by reporter, Ruwani Perera revealing that some Cadbury chocolate bars continue to contain palm oil.

TVNZ is on the defensive once again, this time over a diet advertisement shown during a documentary on anorexia.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received several complaints over the advertisement for a weight-management product which screened during The Truth About Beauty, which explored eating disorders among young women.

The advert featured a cartoon woman saying “with Slim Shots I eat up to 30 per cent less without even trying”, while the documentary was arguing how images in the media are influencing the growing rate of anorexia and other eating disorders.

TVNZ has apologised for what they have called an “oversight”.

The company who the advert belonged to, Brand Developers Limited, has said the advert was used during that time without their knowledge.

TVNZ’s apology and explanation has been ruled as suitable enough by the ASA.

Last week TVNZ were the target of several complaints to the BSA regarding content screened at unsuitable times. 

Sci-fi writer Terry Pratchett has launched into Doctor Who, accusing the show as being “ludicrous”.

In an article for science-fiction and fantasy magazine SFX, Pratchett noted that the popular series “breaks most of the laws of narrative”.

“On planet Earth it’s generally taken for granted that it’s a bad thing to introduce into a narrative some last-minute solution that was totally unexpected and unheralded … The unexpected, unadvertised solution which kisses it all better is known as a deus ex machina – literally, a god from the machine. And a god from the machine is what the Doctor now is,” said Pratchett.

“A decent detective story provides you with enough tantalising information to allow you to make a stab at a solution before the famous detective struts his stuff in the library. Doctor Who replaces this with speed, fast talking, and what appears to be that wonderful element ‘makeitupasyougalongeum’. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would dare try to jump-start a spaceship that looks like the Titanic by diving it into the atmosphere.”

Pratchett, a bestselling fantasy author and long-time Doctor Who fan, is also dubious as whether fans should be calling the series ‘science-fiction’.

“Much has been written about the plausibility or otherwise of the Star Trek universe, but it is possible to imagine at least some of the concepts becoming real. But the sonic screwdriver? I don’t think so. Doctor Who’s science is pixel thin. I’m sorry about this, but I just don’t think that you can instantly transport a whole hospital onto the moon without all of the windows blowing out. Oh! You use a force field, do you?! And there’s the trouble; one sentence makes it all OK.

“I just wish that it was not classified as science fiction.”

Despite savaging aspects of the series in his article, Pratchett admits he is still a fan.

“I might shout at the screen again, but I will be watching on Saturday.”

Source: Guardian