Comments on: Send in the Clowns

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By: jo

jo — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 01:44:46 +0000

Tvnz are out of touch completely employing that Dweeb Jack who acts and looks like an over-confident arrogant 10 year old pretending to be a grown up. What a joke. They should still have professional reporters – the bbc does not employ clowns like him. What are they doing?

By: Mazuka

Mazuka — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 01:11:56 +0000

Close Up has run “its” (that OK, Monty?) course, as with ‘The Grinning Bear’, who’s had more than a fair run. I can only take so much joviality, affability and eager-to-please happiness.

Jack Tane’s, hardly, a credible alternative to host a current affairs programme (with any pretence to having grunt). Try as he may, he has the mien of an amiable fresh-cut college kid; he lacks the gravitas to impart depth and the attendant intellect and experience of a seasoned reporter. He’s a bit too earnest in his style; he needs another 10 years — or so — before I take him, seriously.

Groan and hand-wring all you like, but TVNZ’s current affairs is reinventing itself in the guise of ‘American Idol’ and ‘America’s Got Talent’ et al. Where preening hosts parlay their brand of artifice as in-depth news.
Step on up, Pippa and Paul.

By: Bill Ralston

Bill Ralston — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 21:15:54 +0000

Cactus Kate has got it right Dan. I was not advocating those reporters to front the show, I was asked who I thought TVNZ would put into the job and so I nominated those likely candidates.
BTW there was not a “staggering decline in ratings on ONE News during my time, for while they actually rose but then resumed the slow downwards track that is still around today.
I canned Assignment because management imposed budget cuts and, frankly, some of its staff had reached their ‘use by’ date.
Judging by the bile in your post I assume one of them was you.

By: Cactus Kate

Cactus Kate — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:21:49 +0000

“Furthermore, I’m not sure why you’re bothering in your public recruitment drive to encourage TVNZ to hire inexperienced young “reporters” more enthusiastic about performing PTCs instead of actually reporting news. If you’re so against light and fluffy, why are you “naming” reporters incapable of true journalism to front such show?”

and

“. He seemed intent this week on issuing soundbites advocating for light and fluffy “presenters” with the likes of Jack Tame and Pippa”

Ergh, that’s not what has has said “should” happen, it is predicted what “will” happen given TVNZ have made a choice to dump the Close Up format.

People like yourself Dan have contributed to the decline of current affairs with your lack of ability to comprehend what is presented in front of you correctly.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:59:33 +0000

Monty, with respect, you have missed my point. Bill makes conflicting arguments. He seemed intent this week on issuing soundbites advocating for light and fluffy “presenters” with the likes of Jack Tame and Pippa. Their credibility and experience in breaking strong current affairs is about as genuine as Entertainment Tonight becoming part of CNN’s prime time lineup. Every presenter needs their time as established reporters. Pippa’s reputation is that of a pretty laughing response machine to Henry. And Jack Tame appears to be struggling in New York. His “personlity” approach is being drowned out by strong US political personalities and rightfully so.

By: Monty

Monty — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:17:02 +0000

I just read Dan’s criticism of your piece and actually I wonder if he read it. Essentially what you are saying is the frantic scramble to attract the Auckland viewer 25-54 or 18-49 is a farcical approach and I agree it is. I could never understand it because it’s the older demo who 1. watch 2. there are more of, and more to come in an ageing population, and 3. have money!
Close Up consistently rates in the top 10 every night still, top five usually weekly. That’s not to be sneered at. Yes it probably does need a bit of a shake up – like you say it’s hard yakker doing nightly current affairs. But I don’t agree that staff reach “the end of their endurement”. That’s called experience. The Americans celebrate it. The only reason media companies are getting rid of experienced staff is not because they are at the “end of their endurement” but because they cost more. And sadly, it’s ALL about the bottom line these days. That’s what this change is more likely to be about.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 04:34:49 +0000

I am quite surprised at your level of hypocrisy in your blog. Yet another ‘former’ TVNZ staff turned small PR company, who appears to needs exposure as does Edwards in the form of his yearly hate articles on TVNZ.

Your short term memory loss is amazing. Are you not the same person who cancelled Assignment and let go some of the country’s most experienced television journalists?

Furthermore, I’m not sure why you’re bothering in your public recruitment drive to encourage TVNZ to hire inexperienced young “reporters” more enthusiastic about performing PTCs instead of actually reporting news. If you’re so against light and fluffy, why are you “naming” reporters incapable of true journalism to front such show?

It’s been widely reported you oversaw quite a “staggering decline” of rating at One News during your time with TVNZ?

Open up another bottle and keep your mouth closed Billy.

By: Monty

Monty — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 02:28:46 +0000

Passed *its prime Grammar crime in first par Bill…