Previously published in the New Zealand TV Weekly, 3 October, 1966.
Auckland
One of AKTVZ’s first producers of pop shows has been back looking over the talent line-up offering. He is Kevan Moore, now in Wellington, and he is going to make a pilot programme which may lead to a series under the title C'mon. Musical backing will be handled by Jimmy Sloggett and the Keil Isles. Popsters auditioned were a predictable cross-section from the local entertainment field-Sandy Edmondes, Tommy Adderley, Alison Durbin, Lee Grant and Co. . . . . Kevan also has plans under way for pilots of another pair of teen-pop notions. . . . . Holidays found announcer Rex Sayers busier than ever, which is hardly surprising when one happens to be a British Ambassador on the side. That was his role for Anna and the King of Siam. "monocle, whoolfly moustache, waved wig and all. Waric Slyfield, busy performer in Dunedin productions was’ originally an Aucklander. . . . . The Sportsroom post-mortem on the Lions tour Was a brisk project to hang on top of the final test filming. .. . . . Former schoolteacher Michael Scott had his biggest sports production job to date in the last test coverage. Frank Hobson, now with an advertising agency, formerly handled such chores. . . . . Sudden flurry of letters. to-the-papers type enthusiasm for Lindsay Broberg probably surprised him as much as anyone. . . . . Seems surprising that the BAC 1-11 versus Boeing 737 controversy was not picked up smartly as a TV topic, somewhat in the old Right of Reply style. . . . . Bert Dearne’s quiet little puppet series Quack and Bimbo continues to delight the small fry, but nobody seems very happy with The Family Game.
Wellington
Much confusion here about when the new Channel One transmitter on Mt. Kaukau will be switched on, after conflicting statements appeared in Wellington’s two newspapers. The fact is, according to NZBC Director of Engineering, Mr W. L. Harrison, that the corporation hopes power will be on to begin testing by the end of October. Actual transmission of programmes could begin before the end of the year, maybe earlier, depending how the testing goes. The 400ft tower on 1,400ft Mt. Kaukau is now one of Wellington’s landmarks. Transmitting equipment cost about £110,000 and the whole project, including the tower and 7,500 sq ft building, about £400,000. A signal ten times more powerful than the present mast at Mt. Victoria puts out will come from Mt. Kaukau, and though it will not noticeably affect reception Where at present it is good, fringe areas such as Upper Hutt and the north part of the South Island Should get a. much clearer picture. . . . . It seemed to be a month of weddings for former continuity girls from WNTVl. First Jocelyn Ring, not long back from a trip to England married Mr J.V. Pearson, then Judy Callingham married Mr J. Whitwell. . . . . NZBC has had approaches for permission to operate private television channels, but, guess what, it has given no firm answer on them. The D-G, Mr G. Stringer, is said to be “reviewing policy ” for new corporation members.
Christchurch
Seems Linda McDougall, following her Wellington course for potential producers, is not going to handle children’s programmes after all. Bill Taylor, who filled in, will continue catering for the kids at CHTV3. Linda, along with Brian McDermott, who also did the course, has a new assignment. Currently they are working up a new series for national screening. Title: Out and About. It’s slanted towards the maturer teenager. Idea seems to be to open up new avenues of interest. Programmes will be half-hour shows on such things as veteran cars, judo, go-karting, skin-diving, and so on. All O.B. material with plenty of action and, from all accounts, about 13 in the series. screening start still uncertain. . . . . Don’t run away with the idea that the NZBC does everything on the cheap. A recent couple of minutes worth of Town and Around involved reporter, cameraman, sound technician, invited guest and a car salvage tow-truck with operator for the thick end of three hours on filming alone in the morning with an undisclosed editing period in the afternoon. As the heiress said: 'It’s only money!' But the NZBC finds it and still makes a handsome profit! Question: Why so many dreary programmes during a dreary winter and the prospect of brighter viewing with brighter days? . . . . Some local golfing enthusiasts felt (probably quite rightly) that Channel 3 might have made more of the New Zealand Open at picturesque Russley.
Dunedin
Judy Pate is more than just an easy on-the-eye and easy-on-the-ear TV continuity announcer. She is a most determined and enterprising young lady. Apparently the sump in her car requires replacing and she doesn’t feel she can afford professional assistance at this point. So, she’s going to do the job herself. A handy girl to have around. Regrettable Dunedin has to lose her. . . . . For the first time Dunedin is to import outside talent for a specially sponsored tournament the sport is Table Tennis and the sponsor the NZBC, which will be both picking up air fares and donating the trophy. Brian Ault, local sports producer, is hoping to make a special TV Sports feature of the event. . . . . Dunedin is generally regarded as being the backwaters of both civilisation and TV, but it is an undisputed fact that some of the most successful homegrown TV shows for national telecasting have originated at DNTV2. Music Hall is one example, Here's How another, and Kaleidoscope yet another. But despite this worthy record, it still seems that DNTV2 staffers are expected to “travel north” for promotion. . . . . Yet Dunedin has a particular charm for the broadcasting coterie. Mike Roberton, visiting WNTV1 director, had never been this far south before, and instead of the cold and “dead” city he had been led to expect, found Dunedin a place of delight, an impressive combination of beauty, good weather and, friendliness. Similarly when Family Game team was in town, they made enthusiastic comments on the pleasures of working at DNTV2 and their immediate acceptance into “the family.”