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TV3 have been running ads promoting the new “Paul Henry Show”. The ad shows Henry walking down a darkened alley, with a disembodied voice-over – hype over-flowing like the Waikato in heavy flood – and just as murky. Tantalisingly, or nervously perhaps, TV3 gives little idea what the programme’s content will be.
TV3’s website offers this, somewhat less-than-illuminating, “information”,
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The text refers to “covering everything from the erudite to the outrageous” – and that, frankly speaking, does not reassure me one iota.
We know that Henry can be “outrageous”. He has form. Whether it be reference to a woman’s appearance or giggling like a ten year old at someone’s unusual-sounding name – Henry’s behaviour can certainly qualify as “outrageous”.
If outrageous is what TV3 want, I suspect Henry can deliver that by the monster-truck full. As much as TV3’s executives; the show’s producer(s); and the public can stomach before Henry once again over-steps the mark and the audience vomit back any tasteless performance he rams down our throats.
Which is not to say that there is a percentage of the viewing public that will always rush to Henry’s defense after one of his spectacularly tasteless performances.
Then again, some people defended Tony Veitch after his vicious assault on his girlfriend. Not that I’m comparing Henry with Veitch. No, I’m comparing their audiences whose moral compasses were so skewed that they would defend the repugnantly indefensible.
Henry can do outrageous, tasteless, shocking. It’s not that hard to cater for society’s lowest common denominator. Ignorance, juvenile “humour”, and tastelessness require no thought whatsoever. Just check out Courtney Place in Wellington or Queen St in Auckland, in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings, for evidence of that kind of behaviour.
But I’ve also seen Henry’s better, more serious side, where he has hosted intelligent current affairs programmes with maturity, dignity, and professionalism. That side of Paul Henry is one that treats viewers, and his own profession, with respect.
I’m not expecting a sombre, sullen, Henry – fresh from a funeral or roadside crash.
But is it too much to expect maturity and dignity from a man who is quite capable of delivering a professional performance?
Paul Henry has talent. I would love to see that in his new show. I would love to see TV3 encouraging that talent. And I would love to be part of an audience to appreciate it.
So Paul, I look forward to a solid, professional, engaging, performance from you.
Just leave the clown nose at home this time. Ok?
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= fs =
Anything for ratings. Get the morons addicted to this and boost that revenue.
I know . It’s fucking nauseating . That fat arsed swaggering tit .
What an appropriate lead-photo.
John Oliver on the Dailyshow on Sarah Palin’s return to Fox half a year ago: “And then it occurred to me …. we can just ignore her … just because I am in a turd shop doesn’t mean I have to buy anything”
PH’s job is to get National reelected and otherwise fuel ignorance.
In the name of sanity, join me and ignore him. And his advertisers. Then the concept won’t work.
As to Frank’s comment that he is looking forward to a solid professional engaging performance from PH – the naivety is surprising.
The Aussies did not like him, but apparently a fair section of the brain-washed and redneck New Zealand audience and viewers love him.
A failed “broadcaster”, who could not make it across the Tasman, has had his new intro on Radio Live over recent weeks (up until Christmas), and now he gets “rewarded” with is own show on TV3.
The advertising tells nothing much, as it is full of ambiguous, non-specific words, only intended to build up expectations for potential “excitement”.
What is a worry is, that the show has been given his name, which hints that Henry will be allowed rather free reign over what he wishes to present and talk about. That in itself should be a forewarning to all those caring for objective, good quality journalism, as they are most likely going to be severely disappointed.
Paul Henry is first of all about himself, and does all to promote his ego and his views. Anything else will be coloured by his personal bias and views, and as he is a fan of John Key and strongly supports this government, he will be a key media “personality” that will prepare the way for the Nats to run an effective election campaign.
Remember also TV3’s release of ‘3rd Degree’ and ‘The Vote’, and what hype was put into announcing these shows. In the end we mostly got less than mediocre “current affairs”, and only the odd bit of content worth watching. It was also promoting two “broadcasters”, who would better be named “bored-casters”, once the ego promotional contents of their shows would be taken out.
Just the name Paul Henry turns me off, so I expect bottom level standards for his “show”, which will mean potentially little disappointment for me, as I never would have expected anything worth watching and listening from him.
And his National Party rosette, could be left at home.
Wishful thinking.
You know he’s going to bring his mates along.
Racist Paul, Misogynist Paul, Homophobic Henry etc …
I’d go along with that analysis too. Paul Henry can be an intelligent and insightful broadcaster and I personally can do without the juvenile antics.
It’s not that I am “offended”. I don’t buy into that “offended” stuff.
We could just do without the schoolboy prattishness (said the man with the Golly picture)
Don’t encourage him, Frank. Paul Henry is a toxic schoolboy who thrives on publicity. He only knows how to promote himself by putting others down. He is a typical neolib bully who probably had no friends at school and most likely never had any affection in his life before he got rich. Yuck. He has all the insight of a three year old. Most people notice well before adulthood that some women have a little facial hair and foreigners have names which sound a bit different. Most get over it, but not Paul. What will be his next great insight? Probably that shit stinks, even though in his case it pays exceedingly well.
In terms of what substance may or may not smell, you can be sure Paul Henry will be adamant that his own is odourless
I thought we’d seen the last of Paul Henry. But of course there’s other channels besides TV3 and other shows. I won’t be watching that one; that’s for sure.
Should call it the Paul Herpes Show. He’s unpleasant, unwelcome and no matter what you do, you just can’t get rid of him.
Nothing like reading this half drunk and stumbling across this comment, brilliant. hahah
There is a way to get rid of him, but it will not happen over night, I am afraid. One way to get rid of him is to simply NOT watch and listen to the man. Give him no attention, no time and effort. Also when at work, or anywhere else, you get approached by any person, who dares to mention his name and talk about his “show”, simply change the subject, switch off, walk away, ignore them, and move on.
Sooner or later, those non-conformist “Henryites” (Hnery fans) they will get the message, feel they need to withdraw into their closets and think about it, and in the end, Paul Henry will be a non topic, of non relevance, and have such low tuning in ratings, they will take him off air.
Interesting comments from all…
TVNZ’s “Seven Sharp” should serve as an example to TV3 how not to produce a current affairs show.
On top of superficialities, Henry can exhibit obnoxious and offensive behaviour and comments. This may draw “ratings” – but if advertisers (who pay for the Paul Henry Show time slot) get nervous that viewers may begin to associate Henry’s offensiveness with their products, they may pull their business.
The insensitive rape-comments by Willie Jackson and John Tamihere, over the “Roastbusters” news story, provoked a backlash and withdrawal of advertising by companies from RadioLive.
If the center of attention moves from current affairs issues and news stories, to the host of the show, in a negative manner, then that may well undermine the credibility of the entire programme.
What advertiser wants to have their precious brand associated with a public/media circus centering on a polarising, controversial figure?
The Truth newspaper? Oh wait, that’s dead and buried.
I guess the Truth’s controversial editor didn’t help that paper’s survival at the end of the day…
TV3 stands warned.
The alternatives have become the mainstream essentials: “Al Jazeera”, the Internet, “Maori Television”.. All Power to “The Daily Blog”. Headline: “NZ Media Lurch (further) to the Right”.
A Train wreck waiting to happen.,.. my favourite
but seriously in this day and age is there anyone in hell who watches TV and let alone this shit?
One more comment.
Frank says “TV3 stands warned”.
No, more than that, TV3 is put on notice.
Every time you run an add for his slot I switch off. Regardless what is on. It’s good for me. Paul Henry? No, thanks.
Don’t watch stupid! No fats guys eating themselves to death, no Aussies locked in a container and no failed National Party candidates trying to divide and rule.
Martino – I like your “TV3 is put on notice”.
Indeed.
I have stopped watching TV3 because of Paul Henry!
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