TV3 cancels leaders debate

TV3 have cancelled their Decision 08 leaders debate, scheduled for October 9, after John Key and Helen Clark made a joint decision not to appear in any debates with the leaders of the minor parties.

TV3 said today that a debate without the two main leaders was not viable and that they are considering screening a head-to-head debate between Key and Clark at a later date.

The leaders of the minor parties and other commentators are of course furious and believe that the move is both anti-MMP and anti-democratic.

ACT leader Rodney Hide says that TV3 should get tough and stand their ground as he believes the idea that anyone who wants to be Prime Minister can dictate to TV networks is "disgusting".

James Coleman leaving Sunrise

In a shocking announcement, TV3 has revealed James Coleman is leaving the morning show Sunrise effective immediately.

Coleman has presented the show alongside Carly Flynn since it began in October 2007.

"I’ve been with the show for a year now and I feel that it’s an appropriate time to pursue some exciting new opportunities that have arisen within MediaWorks, both in radio and television," Coleman said in a media release.

Will a change of presenter have a positive effect on the shows ratings? One agency puts Sunrise's ratings at around 30,000 while it's rival Breakfast has been receiving 140,000.

Ali Ikram will present the show with Flynn until an announcement regarding a permanent host will be made "in the coming weeks".

Friday Flashback: 3 News 2005-2007

I know, it's a bit cheeky calling this a flashback so soon, but here is the previous version of 3 News for your comparison.

TV3 expands ASB Business

Due to the recent success of Michael Wilson's business coverage during Sunrise and 3 News at 12, TV3 are expanding ASB Business to a half hour show starting Monday 6 October at 6.30am.

Mark Jennings, TV3's Director of News and Current affairs says "The current turmoil on financial markets affects us all and ASB Business will play an important role in providing the latest information and timely analysis for a wide range of viewers. This is a good time to start a programme that will look at all the issues around personal investment as well as business and the economy."

Sunrise will move forward and now screen between 7.00am and 9.00am.

Full list of 2008 Emmy winners

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Jeremy Piven, Entourage (HBO)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Jean Smart, Samantha Who? (ABC)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages (FX)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Diane Wiest, In Treatment (HBO)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE:
Tom Wilkinson, John Adams (HBO)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE:
Dame Eileen Atkins, Cranford (Masterpiece) (PBS)

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE:
Laura Linney, John Adams (HBO)

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE:
Paul Giamatti, John Adams (HBO)

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY PROGRAM:
Louis J. Horvitz, The 80th Annual Academy Awards

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY PROGRAM:
The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES:
The Daily Show with John Stewart (Comedy Central)

OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY OR MUSIC PROGRAM:
Don Rickles, Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (HBO)

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES:
Barry Sonnenfeld, Pushing Daisies - "Pie-lette" (ABC)

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES:
Tina Fey, 30 Rock - "Cooter" (NBC)

OUTSTANDING MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE:
Recount (HBO)

OUTSTANDING MINISERIES:
John Adams (HBO)

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL:
Jay Roach, Recount (HBO)

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL:
Kirk Ellis, John Adams - "Independence" (HBO)

OUTSTANDING REALITY/COMPETITION PROGRAM:
The Amazing Race (CBS)

OUTSTANDING HOST FOR A REALITY OR REALITY/COMPETITION SHOW:
Jeff Probst, Survivor (CBS)

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES:
Greg Yaitanes, House - "House’s Head" (Fox)

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES:
Matthew Weiner, Mad Men - "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (AMC)

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Tina Fey, 30 Rock (NBC)

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Glenn Close, Damages (FX)

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock (NBC)

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Brian Cranston, Breaking Bad (AMC)

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES:
Mad Men (AMC)

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES:
30 Rock (NBC)

Something new for Nightline

Tonight was the first time I have seen a presenter on Nightline standing up before a segment in the new 3 News set! I thought it looked quite good.

Check it out below and share your thoughts.

Allyson Gofton hangs up her apron

The NZ Herald reported today that Allyson Gofton will be leaving the famous Watties cooking advertorial Food in a Minute next year in order to spend more time with her family.

Watties will begin searching for a new host next week and Gofton says her replacement does not need any professional cooking or TV training, but does need to have a desire to cook for the average New Zealander and not mind using the most basic ingredients to do so.

Allyson Gofton has presented Food in a Minute directly before One News for the past 12 years.

Gofton will present her final Minute in late January of next year.

Gossip Girl too racy for 8.30pm timeslot

From next week TV2 plans to move the American teen drama Gossip Girl from it's 8.30pm slot to the later time of 10.30pm.

TVNZ spokesperson Justine Caldwell told Stuff.co.nz that the decision was not based on poor ratings, but was instead made due to the racy content of the show.

"As the series progressed we felt the content made Gossip Girl more appropriate for a later time slot," said Caldwell.

Gossip Girl is based on the novel series by Cecily von Ziegesar about the lives of students who attend an elite New York private school. The show deals with themes such sex, jealousy and drugs.

The Plug:
Gossip Girl, 10.30pm Friday, TV2.