NZ On Screen - Top 10 For June 2010

50 Years of New Zealand Television celebrations saw nostalgic and curious flocks of Kiwis visit NZ On Screen to celebrate (and sometimes cringe) at our TV legacy; an anniversary reflected in June's Top 10. The Kiwi TV Classics collection was a solid gold hits destination.

June also saw the launch of six online promos for NZ On Screen . Actor Tammy Davis (aka Munter from Outrageous Fortune) travels through the years to present classic scenes from the NZ On Screen collection. From Hokianga, 1956, to meet Opo the Gay Dolphin; to Christchurch, 1980, to get On the Mat with Billy T; to Bodgiemania, Rotorua, 1966; to channeling Andrew Fagan circa 1984 when radio came with pictures.

Today we present the final installment: Tammy reports a 1994 "ocular explosion" that has left "kids across the nation confused and distressed". The victim - Thingee himself - reacts to one of NZ TV's most famous moments: "whew that must have been painful!"

Directed by the time-warping wizards at Sticky Pictures. Enjoy and share!

1. Patu!

Film, 1983, Full Length

Merata Mita's passing saw a flood of viewers remember her through her work, especially Patu!, her startling record of the mass civil disobedience that took place throughout NZ during the winter of 1981 in protest against a South African rugby tour. Required citizenship viewing.

2. Thingee's Eye Pop

Television, 1994, Full Length

Thingee's eye popping out is one of the most famous moments on NZ TV. The ocular incident occurred during filming of kids' TV show The Son of a Gunn Show. A one-eyed Thingee and unflappable Jason Gunn continue the scene regardless.

3. Heartland, Wainuiomata

Television, 1994, Excerpt

This show was possibly the most controversial edition of the Heartland series. Gary gets stuck into some seriously extra-terrestrial encounters with Wainui-o-Martians, most memorably Chloe: with her squeaking voice, romantic aspirations, and tiger slippers.

4. Boy

Film, 2010, Excerpts

Taika Waititi's second feature evolved from short Two Cars One Night and similarly mines the 80s styles of his East Coast Crazy Horse childhood. Since Boy's NZ theatrical release it has smashed box office records. Check out the promo and exclusive behind the scenes clips.

5. Peppermint Twist

Television, 1987, Full Length Episode

Peppermint Twist's pastel-tinted portrait of 60s puberty floated onto NZ screens in 1987 and despite winning a solid teen following, only screened for one series. Revisit Happy Days in Roseville; real-life 60s music show host Peter Sinclair cameos in this limbotastic episode.

6. The Best of the Billy T James Collection

Television, 1992, Full Length

50 Years viewing wouldn't be complete without the bro chuckle of laureate of laughter, Billy T. This compilation of skits from his 80s TV shows includes Te News (black singlet, yellow towel), Turangi Vice, and classic ad spoofs: "where'd I get my bag?".

7. Tonight on NZ On Screen

Promotion, 2010, 6 Episodes

The full set of six online promos for NZ On Screen. Actor Tammy Davis (aka Munter from Outrageous Fortune) time travels to present classic scenes from the NZ On Screen collection. All are embeddable so be like Marmite and spread the goodness!

8. Gloss

Television, 1987, Full Length Episode

More 50 Years remembering - this time the Redferns: the wealthy family with a lucrative high-fashion magazine business who starred in Gloss. Yuppies, shoulder-pads and methode champenoise abound in this 80s cult soap: "Here we come and we are sailing!". Lest we forget.

9. Under the Mountain

Television, 1981, Full Length Episode

June saw the posting of the first episode of the much-demanded kids sci-fi TV series. The adventures of ginger twins with psychic powers left their slimy imprint on a generation of NZ kids, haunted by the Wilberforces, who transmogrified into giant slugs underneath Auckland's volcanoes.

10. Reading the News

Television, 1966-1987, Excerpts

This archival compendium of Kiwi newsreaders in the hot seat compresses 21 years of footage into four minutes. Compiled especially by NZ On Screen this is a showcase of early newsreaders, from Bill Toft's BBC 60s plum to the more assured vowels of long-serving duo Richard and Judy.

11. Pukemanu - Episode One

Television, 1971, Full Length Episode

Pioneering series Pukemanu was set in a North Island timber town. Bi-cultural, boozy and blokey; this first episode sees a culture clash as a bikie gang (including a young Bruno Lawrence) causes trouble; and stranded townie Diana (Ginette McDonald) falls for a local axeman while hunting.

12. It Is I, Count Homogenized

Television, 1982, Full Length Episode

True Blood has nothing on this fella: the immortal Count Homogenized, a vampire with a white afro and cape and a lust for milk, lodged himself in the hearts of many a Kiwi kid, and appropriately rounds off the chart. Made in association with the NZ Milk Promotion Council ... only in NZ!

NZ On Screen is fully funded by NZ On Air. All content is free to view.

ENDS

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