NZ On Air’s Sense Of Humour Shows

New Zealand on Air is funding two new comedy programmes with the aim of keeping kiwi humour alive and well on our television screens.

The popular Havoc and Newsboy television phenomenon will return in a new series for 2001, Havoc and Newsboy On the Moon, while the issues of the moment will get a prod in a new series titled The Panel.

“Both shows were supported because their focus is on the irreverent, ad lib humour that our research showed New Zealanders appreciate most,“ said NZ On Air Chief Executive Jo Tyndall.

Both the latest issues and some perennial ones will be hot topics for a new comedy programme.

“The Panel provides a fresh and funny approach to the traditional panel discussion format,“ said Ms Tyndall.

“Five panellists and weekly guests will ad lib their way through a variety of views on the issues of the day.

“The participants will be chosen for their ability to crack a joke on the spur of the moment about something which has caught their attention that week,” she said.

Two comedians well known for their ability to crack jokes are Mikey Havoc and Jeremy “Newsboy” Wells.

“The new series of Havoc and Newsboy On the Moon will keep the duo’s loyal audience happy and probably attract some new fans too. There is a growing number of people who are tuning in to Havoc and Newsboy,“ she said.

Havoc and Newsboy on the Moon will be a field-based, weekly magazine show that will feature stories about local and international music stars, showbiz, kiwi culture, New Zealand regional happenings, politics and sport.

NZ On Air has allocated $678,795 to Communicado to produce 22 one-hour episodes of The Panel which will screen on TV3.

Havoc and Newsboy on the Moon producers, TV2’s Production Unit, have been allocated $400,000 to produce 20 half-hour programmes which will screen on TV2.

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For further information:
Jo Tyndall
Chief Executive
NZ On Air
Tel: (04) 382 9524
This media release is available on the Internet, at http://www.nzonair.govt.nz

The Panel $678,795
22 x one hour programmes
Broadcaster: TV3
Producer: Ross Jennings, Robin Scholes, Communicado

Havoc and Newsboy on the Moon $400,000
20 x half hour programmes
Broadcaster: TV2
Executive producer: Melanie Rakena

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