Best On The Box Winners Announced

The People Have Spoken - TV Guide 2007 Best On The Box Winners Announced

• SON OF A GUNN VOTED NZ’S BEST TV ENTERTAINER

• ROBYN MALCOLM PUTS SEXY WESTIE ON THE RADAR

• VIEWERS PUT HICKEY BACK ON TOP

Jason Gunn has been crowned New Zealand’s top TV entertainer in the 2007 TV Guide Best on the Box awards in the magazine’s annual people’s choice poll.

The 25 winners of the TV Guide Best on the Box Awards were decided by more than 11,000 television viewers, voting online or by post over three weeks in October and November.

Jason Gunn came out on top in two of the entertainment awards winning the Best Presenter, General award and retaining his title as Funniest Person on TV, announced today in the TV Guide.

The two top-rating TV shows that Gunn hosts also scooped key accolades in the awards. Game show newcomer The Rich List won the Best Entertainment title and family favourite Dancing with the Stars won the Best Reality/Competition show. Best Kids Show went to long-standing children’s favourite What Now, which is produced by Jason’s Christchurch-based film company Whitebait TV.

Jason commented to TV Guide, “We always say in the industry if you win an award it’s fantastic, but this is an award by the people who watch TV. Thanks to all the readers of TV Guide.”

This is the first year Best Presenter, General has not gone to Fair Go’s Kevin Milne who has held the title since the category was introduced. However, Fair Go still picked up the award for Best Advice Show.

TV Guide editor Julie Eley says the winning four categories in this year’s Best on the Box awards puts Jason firmly on top as New Zealand’s top TV entertainer.

“Jason is a classic Kiwi showman with a style and charisma that has charmed audiences throughout the country for over two decades. These awards show that Jason continues to have the special touch when it comes to entertaining Kiwi viewers with his quirky wit and charming smile.”

Young Gunn protégé Drew Neemia, who currently presents TV3 kid’s show Sticky TV and who was one of the stars of Jason’s 90s junior talent show The Super Troopers, won the 2007 Best On The Box Rising Star title.

ROBYN MALCOLM PUTS SEXY WESTIE ON THE RADAR

In the sexy stakes,Outrageous Fortune star Robyn Malcolm was voted the sexiest woman on TV, cited as ‘a victory for 40-something mums everywhere’ by the TV Guide. The gorgeous 42-year old actress who oozes sizzling on-screen sex appeal in the smash hit Westie TV show, beat contenders TV One’s Bernadine Oliver-Kerby and 2006 winner Toni Marsh to take the title, announced today in the TV Guide.

Robyn commented to TV Guide “Me, Sexy? That’s Outrageous. I just don’t consider myself in that way. I slop around in t-shirts, jeans and jandals and no make-up. It’s sort of flattering in a hilarious kind of way.”

Self-proclaimed 'average kiwi bloke' One News presenter Simon Dallow continued his winning streak taking the title of Sexiest Man for the sixth year in a row gaining almost twice the number of votes as his nearest rival. Simon also won the title of Best Presenter News after only two votes separated him and TV3’s Hilary Barry halfway through voting.

“Robyn has captured New Zealanders’ hearts and minds, showing that talent and confidence were major components of sexiness. As Cheryl West, Robyn Malcolm is bold, confident, sassy and stunning,” Eley said. “She’s an assertive leading lady who knows what she wants out of life and that makes her sexy. While Simon’s winning streak shows that for kiwi women ‘tall, dark and handsome’ still wins out in the sexy stakes,” says Julie.

Robyn Malcolm’s talented performance as Cheryl West also won her the Best Actress title alongside her on-screen son Anthony Starr who was named Best Actor for his role as Van and Jethro West.Outrageous Fortune took the title of Best Drama for the second year in a row showing that in season three the following for the hit show is only getting stronger.

“In just three seasons, Outrageous Fortune has become one of New Zealand television’s classics. It shows that New Zealand stories, written by New Zealand’s clever writers and played by our equally talented actors make for intelligent, entertaining and truly great TV,” she Julie.

VIEWERS PUT HICKEY BACK ON TOP

Less than two months after his TV comeback,TV One weather presenter Jim Hickey was voted the nation’s Best Weather Presenter. Jim Hickey, a past award winner, returned to the job as the ONE News weatherman in September after a four-year break to win the viewers’ votes. His predecessor Brendan Horan came a close second.

ONE News scored a hat trick in this year’s awards, winning the Best News Presenter for Simon Dallow, Best Weather Presenter for Jim Hickey and Best Sport Presenter for Tony Veitch. While TV3 News scooped the Best News Programme title and John Campbell retained his title as the Best Current Affairs Presenter.

Julie Eley says Jim has shown that despite his break as TV One Weatherman he hasn’t lost his touch and still got the thumbs up from viewers.

“Viewers are obviously delighted to have Jim back on our screens presenting the weather with his winning style. The sun is definitely shining for the ONE News team today after winning the top three presenting titles. It’s great to see Tony Veitch winning, and shows the decision to make him the main sports presenter was the right one.”

The full list of winners are announced in this week’s TV Guide (on sale 15 November).

ENDS

Released on behalf of Fairfax Magazines by Goode PR, Auckland. For more information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact: Petra Mihaljevich at Goode PR on (09) 480 9948 or petra@goodepr.co.nz

BEST ON THE BOX 2007 - FINAL RESULTS

People & Personalities

Sexiest Woman

Robyn Malcolm

Sexiest Man

Simon Dallow

Best Actor

Antony Starr

Best Actress

Robyn Malcolm

Best Presenter, News

Simon Dallow

Best Presenter, Current Affairs

John Campbell

Best Presenter, General

Jason Gunn

Best Presenter, Lifestyle Shows

Jim Mora

Best Presenter, Weather

Jim Hickey

Best Presenter, Sport

Tony Veitch

Rising Star

Drew Neemia

Funniest Person on TV

Jason Gunn

Programmes

Best News

One News

Best Current Affairs

20/20

Best Drama

Outrageous Fortune

Best Entertainment

The Rich List

Best Reality/Competition

Dancing With The Stars

Best Kids Show

What Now?

New Category - Best Special Event

Comedy Gala 2007

Best Documentary

The Zoo

Best Comedy

bro'Town

Best Reality Series

Police Ten-7

Best Lifestyle Show

Country Calendar

Best Advice Show

Fair Go

Best Sports Show

Powerbuilt

ends

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