Throng

7:00pm - Saturday, August 8 on TV 3

Prepare yourself for 23-hours of entertainment and madness - a live fundraiser featuring some of New Zealand's best performers, local and international celebrities, dares, an auction and much more when the Big Night In Telethon 09 comes to our screens on Saturday, August 8th at 7pm, running till 6pm Sunday, August 9th.

Returning to our screens after a 15 year absence, the Big Night In will be bringing back the traditional Telethon favourites such as the crazy dares and phone bank; however the 2009 Telethon will feature a few differences which will be unique to the Big Night In.

Among these special features will be The Big Audition, The Big Auction, The Big Dares, The Air New Zealand Challenge, The Celebrity Phone-Out, and the Mazda Magic Moments where John Campbell talks to some central figures in Telethon's past about memorable moments.

To find out more about these exciting additions to the already jam-packed Telethon schedule we spoke to the Big Night In Producer Nigel Godfrey.

"The Big Night In will see us finding stars of the future in our talent quest [The Big Audition]," Godfrey reveals about one of the Big Night In additions.

"We will also have The Big Dares, a series of dares hosted by Pulp Sport's Bill and Ben. The Celebrity Phone-Out where our celebrities will call pre-selected members of the public who have been behind a significant or intriguing fundraising venture, and The Big Auction hosted by Brooke Howard-Smith."

Unable to contain his excitement, Howard-Smith reveals more details about The Big Auction.

"This will be New Zealand's biggest ever televised auction," he says, jokingly adding "I can't believe they're leaving me in charge of it..."

"If I don't stuff it up, The Big Auction will be amazing! It'll give someone the chance buy a car and write it off as charity."

This of course is referring to the Mazda car, which along with a boat and a holiday that will be auctioned off on the night of the Big Night In.

Make sure not to miss your chance to bid for these amazing prizes when Big Night In Telethon 09 comes to our screens on Saturday, August 8th at 7pm, running till 6pm Sunday, August 9th.

Visit www.bignightin.co.nz for more information on the Big Night In.