Hey, Hey It’s Andy Shaw
Posted by
Screen Talker on 18 January 2009
TV executive Andrew Shaw talks candidly to NZ On Screen about more than three decades of experiences in the New Zealand TV industry, from being a teen heartthrob to sitting on top of the heap as network commissioner.
Shaw reflects on:
- early days as a presenter, “fluking” a screentest to get the Hey, Hey, It’s Andy gig
- his anticipation of his “expiry date” and the deal he brokered to train as a multi-camera live broadcast director; working on shows from Billy T James’ Radio Times to punk music docos, to returning to being in front of the camera to host disco show Star Zone.
- his sabbaticals from TVNZ, working for South Pacific Pictures (where he was charged with broadening their slate from drama and film; he introduced the Idol franchise to NZ TV), working as the founding commissioner for Prime TV, and helping launch the Documentary Channel with Richard Driver
- his passionate belief in the resilience and importance of network TV as a “gathering place” in the age of the internet
- his return to TVNZ and the challenge of balancing “god and mammon” – commercial and public service – that TVNZ has to manage
- “the privilege” of working for the public broadcaster, citing the Edmund Hillary Westminster Abbey memorial service as an example of something he wouldn’t get the opportunity to do elsewhere
- criticism about programming arts docos at 10.30pm at night. Shaw’s response: “stay awake!”
This interview is available for download and distribution on YouTube.
Credits: Direction and Interview – Clare O’Leary, Camera and Editing – Leo Guerchmann
NZ ON SCREEN 2010
This website has been made with funding from NZ ON AIR ›
Comments
by Andreas on 3 February 2009 at 2:25pm
I found this interview very sad from an independent televison producer’s point of view. And from a viewer’s point of view!
From what I can gather, Andrew is saying that TVNZ’s future lies with the “big shows/formats” … by which I presume he means Idol, Dancing With The Stars, Shortland Street, and whatever the next multi-million-dollar drama he will get his mates at SPP to produce.
While I agree that is what much of middle-New Zealand WILL watch … these formats do nothing (or at least very little) to promote and celebrate New Zealand’s unique culture, artists, and comedy … which New Zealand MAY watch if they were given half a chance.
Essentially, TVNZ has given up on and coming talent and producers … and are happy to rely on the tried and true. Or should that be TIRED and true.
Where will our next Billy T. James or John Clarke come from? He won’t come, because there is no space for him on the TVNZ schedule. Ask Jermaine Clements, Brett McKenzie … and every other emerging artist that has ever tried to get a shot at a show on TVNZ!
No offense to Andrew personally, but I think TVNZ (and New Zealand) desperately needs to move away from his kind of thinking.
P.S. “Interrogation” was crap. Everyone knows it.
by Darren on 8 February 2009 at 10:19pm
the problem with the “big shows/formats” at the moment is they are so disposable – a few clips on Youtube in 5 years time might be worth a giggle but will anyone want to see the whole thing again, or have any loyalty to the “creative” teams behind them?
If they invested in a few shows that did a bit more networks could have had some loyal viewers to help them in the coming financially difficult times… or at least some DVD box sets/downloads that might bring in some cash.
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