Priorities
February 11th, 2010 at 12:39 pm by David FarrarThe Herald reports:
Television NZ bumped Prime Minister John Key from its prime-time current affairs show so it could feature former All Black Robin Brooke saying sorry for groping a teenage girl. …
John Key’s office has refused to comment on the Close Up show’s decision not to talk to the PM about his state of the nation speech.
Instead, most of Tuesday’s show was devoted to host Mark Sainsbury interviewing Brooke about his explanation for the New Year groping incident in Fiji, a story that has featured in newspapers.
Close Up ignored the changes the PM foreshadowed to the tax system.
Mr Key’s chief press secretary, Kevin Taylor, said: “It is TVNZ’s editorial decision for the programme and we will not be saying any more about it.”
But it is understood the Prime Minister was surprised by the decision to ditch a scheduled interview with him just two and a half hours before it was due to go out live.
Such “bumping” is common in television entertainment shows when they run out of time or there are better offers.
From a ratings viewpoint, sadly I guess more people would tune in to Robin Brooke. But having already pencilled in the PM, I am surprised they didn’t find a way to include both. It is meant to be a news and current affiars show after all.
Tags: John Key, Media, Robin Brooke, TVNZ
February 11th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
I guess John Key isn’t news!
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Maybe TVNZ decided that John Keyless had nothing interesting to say on tax reform or the future of NZ. I agree.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Maybe it’s testament to the fact that Key didn’t really have much to say. The lack of detail makes it rather hard to have any serious discussion and analysis.
But more likely is that the so-called “News and Current Affairs” is more interested in “affairs” than anything else.
It is not only disrespectful of the PM, it also undermines any credibility that the TVNZ news room may have .
Vote:Although one may ask “what credibility?”
February 11th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
I’m a bit surprised at the bumping of the PM. Given that they were promo-ing the Brooke interview the night before, they should have either known how much to allow for it and fit the PM in or given him more notice. I don’t think that the PM automatically deserves to be on telly whenever he feels he has something to say, but simple courtesy should have meant he got the heads-up earlier. Although I doubt whether courtesy is a currency at TVNZ.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Surreal decision
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
“It is meant to be a news and current affiars show after all”
Hah! You’re being a bit generous with that description!
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Got to say is pretty sad really. Just had a week in Oz and reading decent newspapers and seeing proper news and CA was one of the (many) highlights. No offence but blogs just don’t have the same impact – as much as I enjoy this one. On a somewhat related note I noticed DPF’s comment about not changing the OIA. I am all for transparent Government but it seems woefully under used by serious media, over abused by political party research units and adds an enormous drag on the public sector who have to have whole teams working on keeping every single email, piece of paper, diary entry accessible just in case some nutter (you don’t even need to be a NZer to use the OIA!) wants to know how many times a CEO went to the toilet in a week. It would be good to see some of this abuse pared back, those back office savings alone might mean no GST hike.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
“Maybe TVNZ decided that John Key had nothing interesting to say on tax reform or the future of NZ. I agree.”
This.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
If my memory serves inSainsbury was excitedly telling us the night before that we had to watch the next nights show,words to the effect of “I cant tell you why but you have to tune in ,you wont want to miss this” presumably they knew the night before .
I rarely watch Sains or Cambo .Neither channel has any news worthy credibilty. Its all scandal and celebs,dressed up as relevant to “kiwis”.
A heck of alot of it is PR releases anyway or promos for overseas singers ,actors when a film or tour is released or announced.
“and what do you think of New Zealand,is this your first visit?”……..”oh ,its just great,I love hobbits ,Peter Jackson and your Mayorees’
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
The PM would have gone to considerable lengths to fit in this interview and at short notice TV bumps him. There is not much to be said but I have no doubt TV will come cap in hand to the PM wanting some money and I guess the PM might just bump them.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
“I rarely watch Sains or Cambo .Neither channel has any news worthy credibilty. Its all scandal and celebs,dressed up as relevant to “kiwis”.”
Couldn’t agree more. Having said that, I think Campbell is slightly more credible than Sainsbury. Watching TVNZ’s tame walrus galumphing around the Empire after his show trying to impress people is a sight to behold indeed. At least Campbell doesn’t interfere with my drinking.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
No surprise really – both Sainsbury and Campbell are fronting dumbed-down tabloid magazine programmes (or “shows” as they refer to themseves – says it all really). You can’t really take them too seriously, and will be disappointed if you expect quality journalism from either of these self-absorbed fools.
PS My personal favourite was Campbell Live’s reverent interview with the psychic who “talks” to Princess Di – it was right up there with the quality journalism of Woman’s Weekly or Woman’s Day.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I’d be more wary of Campbell since he has publicly proclaimed himself to be a social activist,maybe not those actual words ,but he’s said his brand of “journalism” is in that school.
As I recall this was part of the fall out of the MSM having a go at whitey,mainstream,racist Don Brash .
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Not surprised at all. What is surprising is the Herald thinking this is newsworthy.
Both shows are big on human interest stories (usually sobbing) movie stars and singers and bands visiting Australasia.
They want people who emote, outrage or entertain.
In some ways it’s a credit to John Key – his speech simply does cause the passion and outrage that warrants a Close Up slot.
Except if you are Bernard Hickey.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Ah the evils of the market. All Black groper gets ahead of the Prime Minister talking tax.
Plainly, TVNZ must be brought to heel, and the only way is by nationalising the assets. When the government finally owns the assets, the population will get what it wants… oh wait.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Over the break – TV3 replaced Campbell with @7 fronted by Petra Bagust, Ben Hurley & Paul Ego
Vote:Far better viewing than Campbell I thought.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
NeutralObserver says:
Presumably the proper news and current affairs to which you refer was on the ABC (entirely publicly funded) and SBS (partly publicly funded)? Certainly not Today Tonight (Seven) and A Current Affair (Nine) which both run “dodgy tradesman”, “what’s the best [insert any consumer product here]” and, yes, “[insert name of "celebrity" here]‘s latest tryst” stories.
When I wanted to become a journalist I used to imagine doing something like forcing the parties to a major industrial dispute to settle, live on air, as Brian Edwards once did. Or exposing the truth about some scandal that affected the majority of NZers. Not hearing some 5 minute wonder sob about their sexual peccadillos, interview “psychics”, or compare vegetable prices.
Do Sainsbury, Campbell and the other people in TV newsrooms go home feeling they’ve done a great day’s work, I wonder? Or do they just wander about murmering “think of the paycheque, think of the paycheque…” to themselves?
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
John who?
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Robin Brooke is not sorry – he is sorry this got into the public domain. If he was sorry he would have said so immediately instead of assaulting a teenage boy and lying about the event. He is scum.
Jut remind me again of who his mea culpa bumped? John Everyman?
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
He wont be getting a Pak N Save now. Maybe a 4 square.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
They seem to understand their demographic. There’s more viewer appeal from a married sports-star who groped a schoolgirl than from what politicians say. Mind you with Key being left of centre what’s the point of listening to what they say anyway, the odds are better than even that it’s going to end up costing the real taxpayers more money. Frankly I’d rather not listen to any of them, my interests are best served by increasing my income and reducing my outgoings. Hhence why I wasn’t watching TV at all, I was too busy putting up Gib so I don’t have to pay for someone else’s labour when I have some of my own to spare in the evenings. It is one small way I can retain a bit more of the money I earn – by not paying any of my (already taxed) income to others who will then be taxed on it again.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I recall Sainsbury advising us to tune in that night to watch something special but all we got was a pathetic Robin Brooke apologising for appalling behaviour. Frankly I was amazed that TV1 in an act of editorial ignorance declined to cover the first day of parliament and the PM’S opening speech.What a joke.Clowns.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I very rarely watch either of the 7 o’clock shows either but I did see the Maori’s v Pakeha annual rugby match on Stewart Island. That was hilarious. And some big hits from both sides in a no holds barred full tackle match. For the record the Pakehas won by a narrow margin.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Rex, as for the commercial “Current Affairs” shows all I can say is Benny Mendoza, Paxton Kids and The Dole Army.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
I reckon is more fun to watch a sinner (Brooke) than a third-rate liar PM (Key).
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Certainly justifies the imminent new name for our state-owned television – TTVNZ.
That is, Tabloid Television New Zealand.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
This shows both the low mentality of TVNZ and the majority of its viewing audience.
Fact is most viewers are too thick dumb and stupid to even begin to understand or appreciate governance the government process and the economy.
Decades of dumbing down education means we now have a population that are financially illiterate easily manipulated and swallow whole lies from all sides of the policital spectrum.
Still it all makes good sport for some of us.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Have to agree, that is the sad state of the dumbed down population of New Zealand, would rather watch some bull shit from an ex All Black instead of the important topic of getting this country up and running again.
Yep and many have voiced there opinion that John Key has nothing to say of importance… At times agree, but we need to err on the side that he is infact growing some balls…..
Be thankful John Key is a good communicator, far better than that woMan that was running the show previously!
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
This would seem to be an unforeseen consequence of the scrapping of the TVNZ Charter. Freed of statutory duty, Close Up was simply maximising its audience.
[DPF: Oh come on the charter made next to no difference to how TVNZ operated (let alone a tactical decision on who to put on Close Up one night) and even Ian Fraser said it should go. They used the charter money for stuff like olympics coverage IIRC]
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
LeftRightOut:
Ha, the Paxtons! That reminder almost tempts me to fly back and do to Campbell and Sainsbury what John Safran did to Ray Martin!!*
Russell Brown:
Come now Russell, you’re not saying that pre-scrapping, Close Up wouldn’t have made the same choice? I think you’re right, though, in terms of the whole organisation now having had the last chock removed, allowing it to gradually pick up speed on the run downhill into the cesspit. In fact any day now I’m expecting to tune in (via Youtube) to Media 7 and seeing you replaced by Lisa Lewis.
* For those who don’t know… Martin was then host of ACA and used one family, the Paxtons, to run a story which told viewers “the Paxtons are lazy trash – the Paxtons are on a benefit – ergo all people on a benefit are trash”. So John Safran turned up at Martin’s sumptuous home at about 9.30 one morning to inquire why he wasn’t at work, and how much he was paid per hour to sit reading an autocue. Martin turned up in his Mercedes (having been to the shops) and reacted quite badly, at one point strangling Safran on camera. Now that’s reality TV!!
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Its actually quite sad that NZers have no healthy debate on current affairs which makes it quite unique in developed countries. Unless you actively go looking for it you are fed an unitelligent diatribe from uninformed graduates of journalism courses who make up for intelligence with excess hair products. Amy Kelly etc. journalist, please. Thank god for Blogs.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Pongo, you have a point, but even blogs don’t fill that need. They tend to get clogged with the loonytunes like Redbirther, dad4justice, Kris K, reid, et al.
The country needs some very serious debates, but you can’t have a debate by sound bite. And its impossible to have a meaningful debate over an issue, such as , let’s say, foreshore and seabed, when the majority are locked out of the debate until National and maori have a “done deal”.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
“So, that was our man in Haiti. Wow, imagine being under rubble and surviving for 3 weeks without food or water!
Narough don’t go away. After the break we will be speaking to Ali Babush, who claims to have not eaten or drunk anything AT ALL for 3 years! Yes really, Ali has learned to survive on fresh air alone. How does he do it? We will tell you after the break. Don’t go away!”
Jesus wept … that’s our prime time commentary.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
They probably changed it because the viewers would rather see that crap than John Key. Dumbing down the public and the public is accepting it. It is no wonder Helen Clark lasted 9 years and John Key will probably be re-elected.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
I recall Robin Brooke taking out a Canterbury player (might have been Justin Marshal) at Lancaster Park. The NZRFU let him off without penalty cause he had been good and never been found guilty for thuggery before. He probably got to use that excuse several times.
Hardly breaking news the man has no character. He used a publicity company to tell him to accept the blame. Most street thug would do that without prompting.
Vote:February 11th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
“.. but we need to err on the side that Key is infact growing some balls…..”
What are you smoking? It must be bloody good to make you hallucinate that much.
Vote:You’re either born with or without balls.
February 12th, 2010 at 12:47 am
TVNZ has lost it’s relevance in society, they are still in the age of let’s sit around and watch the 6pm news. Why would anyone bother?
Vote: