What Now
Encyclopedia
What Now is a long running New Zealand
children's television program that premiered in 1981. It is filmed before a live studio audience at Whitebait Productions in Christchurch
.
The show airs every Sunday on TV2 and has segments such as Game Zone, SLAM!, Super Circuit, The Teachinator and Balls of Fortune.
, trivia from Frank Flash, law and safety with Constable Keith and Sniff, interspersed with regular cartoon
s. The theme song was Get Out of Your Lazy Bed
, by Matt Bianco
.
When Steve Parr left the show after a couple of years, the format changed to live broadcast
. The hosts increased in number, usually to three, beginning with Danny Watson (from Spot On) and Michelle Bracey added, and Frank Flash (Alasdair Kincaid) given a more central comedic manic role. When Michelle left the show, she was succeeded by Michele A'Court. Comedy sketches, interactive phone calls and competitions with the viewing audience, plus magazine-style segments going out and about, all became a more central part of the format.
The style remained this way for many years, as hosts evolved and were replaced, until today where the format now involves live audiences of crowds of children, but still is closely faithful with the core concept established early on.
In 1989
the show moved to TV2 and then in 1996
to Sunday mornings. An after school version of What Now What Now PM also ran on TV 2 during the week between 1997
and 2002
.
The weekdays version of What Now? became its own separate show known as WNTV. First hosted by Carolyn Taylor and a face in a computer screen played by Mikey Carpinter. Later the show changed dramatically but kept the same WNTV name. It became a drama showing behind the scenes of a children's afternoon magazine show. This was hosted by Antonia Prebble and Tom Herne, and featured several other characters. Anna Allbury and Jo Tuapawa featured as reporters.
The What Now show was moved to TVNZ's Avalon studios in Lower Hutt
in 1999 until TVNZ shut down its Children's Department at the end of 2003. What Now the show was then brought back to Christchurch in 2004 to be produced by an independent company Whitebait Productions, headed by Janine Morrell-Gunn and Jason Gunn. What Now? has been funded by NZ On Air since NZOA's inception in 1989; prior to that it was funded by TVNZ.
In 2004
the afternoon show WNTV was cancelled and replaced with the current children's afternoon TV show Studio 2 produced by Ian Taylor (Taylormade Media Ltd).
Various programme partnerships over the years have seen What Now? promoting ‘healthy eating healthy action', water safety and old-fashioned letter writing amongst many other things. What Now? has a long-standing association with the Weetbix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon, and with Sport and Recreation New Zealand whose ‘Push Play' message encourages children to be physically active.
Early What Now? presenters were also credited as writers. They were people like Michelle A'Court, Danny Watson, Al Kincaid, Michelle Bracey, Simon Barnett and Catherine McPherson, some of whom have gone on to roles as directors and writers. A more recent presenter who made a significant behind-the-scenes contribution was Anthony Samuels, who also trained as a director.
Off-screen personnel who have shaped What Now? over the years are many. They include camera operator and director Alan Henderson (also secretly rumoured to be the brains behind Jason Gunn's sidekick Thingee), Directors Keith Tyler-Smith, Bill de Friez, Peter Verstappen, Mike Rehu, Mark Owers, Mike Ritchie, Jason Gunn and Richard Hansen. Producers include Richard Driver, Mike Rehu, Tony Palmer, Anne Williams, and Janine Morrell-Gunn. Emma Gribble got her start opening the mail for the fan club and 10 years later became producer of the show.
Celebrity Traffic Island
Pie-in-Yer-Ear House
Game Zone
SLAM!
SLAM!: Family Edition
Charlie and the Chipmunks
Foul's Kitchen
Stars in Dusgise
Da Apprentice
Balls Of Fortune
Splat Cave
Live in Your Living Room
Fairytales Got Talent
Knockout
LOL
Wobblies
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Host !! Role !! Duration
|-
| Gemma Knight || Studio Host || 2010–present
|-
| Adam Percival || Studio Host ||2011–present
|-
| Ronnie Taulafo || Studio Host || 2011–present
|-
| Johnson Raela || Live In your Living Room Host
Slam! Co-Host || 2011–present
|-
| Camilla the Gorilla || Mascot || 2006–present
|-
| Red the mailbot || Mascot || 2008–present
|}
and slime. Children, celebrities, parents and sometimes the presenters are often the subject of embarrassment in various gunge games. Examples include Fill Ya Pants, Foam a Friend, Flushed Away, Gunge on the Run, Gunge on the Road, Weekly Gunge Games, The Gunge Machine, Tank of Terror, Super Circuit, Brain Freeze, and general gunging.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
children's television program that premiered in 1981. It is filmed before a live studio audience at Whitebait Productions in Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
.
The show airs every Sunday on TV2 and has segments such as Game Zone, SLAM!, Super Circuit, The Teachinator and Balls of Fortune.
History
What Now? was created by Rex Simpson before he left to head up his own production company, Kids TV. It originally screened on Saturday mornings on TV ONE between 7:30 and 10 am. Hosted by Steve Parr, he introduced segments covering morning keep-fit exercises, sketches involving recurring characters such as complaining old man Clive Grumble, simple recipes by Alison HolstAlison Holst
Dame Alison Margaret Holst, DNZM, CBE, QSM is a best-selling New Zealand food writer and television chef. Her first television programme premiered in 1965. The following year she published the first of around 90 cookbooks...
, trivia from Frank Flash, law and safety with Constable Keith and Sniff, interspersed with regular cartoon
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
s. The theme song was Get Out of Your Lazy Bed
Get Out of Your Lazy Bed
"Get Out of Your Lazy Bed" is the debut single from UK band Matt Bianco, released in 1984, along with their debut album Whose Side Are You On?. The song became the band's first Top 20 hit, peaking at #15 on the UK Singles Chart...
, by Matt Bianco
Matt Bianco
Matt Bianco is a UK band that was formed in 1983. They are mainly known for their success in the mid 1980s and their jazz, Latin-flavoured music....
.
When Steve Parr left the show after a couple of years, the format changed to live broadcast
Live television
Live television refers to a television production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present. From the early days of television until about 1958, live television was used heavily, except for filmed shows such as I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. Video tape did not exist until 1957...
. The hosts increased in number, usually to three, beginning with Danny Watson (from Spot On) and Michelle Bracey added, and Frank Flash (Alasdair Kincaid) given a more central comedic manic role. When Michelle left the show, she was succeeded by Michele A'Court. Comedy sketches, interactive phone calls and competitions with the viewing audience, plus magazine-style segments going out and about, all became a more central part of the format.
The style remained this way for many years, as hosts evolved and were replaced, until today where the format now involves live audiences of crowds of children, but still is closely faithful with the core concept established early on.
In 1989
1989 in television
For the American TV schedule, see: 1989–90 United States network television schedule.The year 1989 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1989.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
the show moved to TV2 and then in 1996
1996 in television
The year 1996 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1996.For the American TV schedule, see: 1996-97 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
to Sunday mornings. An after school version of What Now What Now PM also ran on TV 2 during the week between 1997
1997 in television
The year 1997 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1997.- Events :-Debuts:-Miniseries:*Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac, a reunion of the 1979–93 series*The Last Don...
and 2002
2002 in television
The year 2002 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2002.For the American TV schedule, see: 2002–03 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:...
.
The weekdays version of What Now? became its own separate show known as WNTV. First hosted by Carolyn Taylor and a face in a computer screen played by Mikey Carpinter. Later the show changed dramatically but kept the same WNTV name. It became a drama showing behind the scenes of a children's afternoon magazine show. This was hosted by Antonia Prebble and Tom Herne, and featured several other characters. Anna Allbury and Jo Tuapawa featured as reporters.
The What Now show was moved to TVNZ's Avalon studios in Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt is a city in the Wellington region of New Zealand. Its council has adopted the name Hutt City Council, but neither the New Zealand Geographic Board nor the Local Government Act recognise the name Hutt City. This alternative name can lead to confusion, as there are two cities in the...
in 1999 until TVNZ shut down its Children's Department at the end of 2003. What Now the show was then brought back to Christchurch in 2004 to be produced by an independent company Whitebait Productions, headed by Janine Morrell-Gunn and Jason Gunn. What Now? has been funded by NZ On Air since NZOA's inception in 1989; prior to that it was funded by TVNZ.
In 2004
2003 in television
The year 2003 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2003.For the American TV schedule, see: 2003-04 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:...
the afternoon show WNTV was cancelled and replaced with the current children's afternoon TV show Studio 2 produced by Ian Taylor (Taylormade Media Ltd).
Various programme partnerships over the years have seen What Now? promoting ‘healthy eating healthy action', water safety and old-fashioned letter writing amongst many other things. What Now? has a long-standing association with the Weetbix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon, and with Sport and Recreation New Zealand whose ‘Push Play' message encourages children to be physically active.
Early What Now? presenters were also credited as writers. They were people like Michelle A'Court, Danny Watson, Al Kincaid, Michelle Bracey, Simon Barnett and Catherine McPherson, some of whom have gone on to roles as directors and writers. A more recent presenter who made a significant behind-the-scenes contribution was Anthony Samuels, who also trained as a director.
Off-screen personnel who have shaped What Now? over the years are many. They include camera operator and director Alan Henderson (also secretly rumoured to be the brains behind Jason Gunn's sidekick Thingee), Directors Keith Tyler-Smith, Bill de Friez, Peter Verstappen, Mike Rehu, Mark Owers, Mike Ritchie, Jason Gunn and Richard Hansen. Producers include Richard Driver, Mike Rehu, Tony Palmer, Anne Williams, and Janine Morrell-Gunn. Emma Gribble got her start opening the mail for the fan club and 10 years later became producer of the show.
Regular segments: past and current
Serial Stuff- Serial comedy/drama. Late 1990s - early 2000s
Celebrity Traffic Island
- Satirical take-off of Celebrity Treasure IslandTreasure Island (show)Treasure Island is a popular reality television game show produced in New Zealand by Eyeworks Touchdown as well as in Ireland and Australia. In the show, contestants are isolated on a remote Fijian island and compete for a cash prize...
. Written by Andy Gunn - Jason Gunn's brother.
Pie-in-Yer-Ear House
- Satirical take-off of Pioneer HouseColonial House (TV series)Colonial House is an American reality series produced by Thirteen/WNET New York and Wall to Wall Television in the United Kingdom, following the success of The 1900 House, an exercise in vicarious "experiential history" that is characteristic of an attempt to provide an educational version of...
. Written by Andy Gunn.
Game Zone
SLAM!
SLAM!: Family Edition
Charlie and the Chipmunks
Foul's Kitchen
Stars in Dusgise
Da Apprentice
- based on the USAs and New Zealands The Apprentice
Balls Of Fortune
Splat Cave
Live in Your Living Room
Fairytales Got Talent
Knockout
LOL
Wobblies
Current presenters
{||- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Host !! Role !! Duration
|-
| Gemma Knight || Studio Host || 2010–present
|-
| Adam Percival || Studio Host ||2011–present
|-
| Ronnie Taulafo || Studio Host || 2011–present
|-
| Johnson Raela || Live In your Living Room Host
Slam! Co-Host || 2011–present
|-
| Camilla the Gorilla || Mascot || 2006–present
|-
| Red the mailbot || Mascot || 2008–present
|}
Previous presenters
- Steve Parr 1981 - 1982
- Jim Hopkins (as Clive Grumble) 1981 - 1987
- Alasdair Kincaid, A.K.A. Frank Flash 1981 - 1988 and The Answer Guy (in the 90s)
- Eddie Sunderland (arts and crafts) 1984(?)-1992
- Danny Watson 1982 - 1987
- Michelle Bracey 1982 - 1983
- Michele A'Court 1984 - 1987
- Darren Young 1987 - 1990
- Fifi Colston (arts and crafts) 1987 - 1993
- Catherine McPherson 1988 - 1992
- Simon BarnettSimon BarnettSimon Barnett is a radio and television host and presenter in New Zealand.Barnett currently co-hosts the morning show on Christchurch radio station 92 More FM with Gary McCormick, and previously with Phil Gifford...
1988 - 1992 - ThingeeThingeeThingee is a puppet which was used as an unofficial ambassador and icon for New Zealand children’s television during the 1990’s, appearing in multiple television shows such as The Son of a Gunn Show, and also children's programme, What Now...
1989 - 1997 (puppet who also co-hosted Son of a Gunn show and Chatterbox) - Jason GunnJason GunnJason Gunn is a New Zealand television personality. He is now best known as the main host of the hit New Zealand entertainment television show, Dancing with the Stars, Wheel of Fortune, and The Rich List.- Early career :...
reoccurring guest/presenter since the early 90s. Creative writer - Carlos Miller in a cooking segment "Let's Cook" 1989-1990
- Steven Zanoski 1994 - 1995
- Fiona Anderson 1995 - 1998
- Stacey Morrison (Daniels) in a cooking segment 1995 - 1997
- Anthony Samuels 1996 - 2003
- Jason Fa'foi 1997 - 2003
- Eugene Blick (first DJ on what now) 1996 - 2002
- Shavaughn Ruakere 1997 - 2001
- Richard Hamond 1999 - 2001
- Carolyn Taylor 1999-2002, 2002–2003 and on WNTV (2000)
- Danny Talbot 2002 - 2004
- Antonia PrebbleAntonia PrebbleAntonia Mary Prebble is a New Zealand actress most famous for her role as Loretta West in the hit television show Outrageous Fortune and as Trudy in The Tribe.-Career:...
00's (WNTV) - Tamati CoffeyTamati CoffeyTamati Coffey is a New Zealand television host and presenter. He is the roving weather presenter for TVNZ's breakfast television programme Breakfast. He has also worked on children's television show What Now, and was the winner of New Zealand's Dancing With The Stars in 2009...
2004 - 2007 - Vicki LinVicki LinVicki Lin is a New Zealand television presenter and actor who has appeared on Being Eve and What Now. She co-hosted Studio 2 between 2007 and 2009. She did not return in 2010, as she got a job opportunity with International Community Radio Taipei in Taiwan.She is of Taiwanese descent but was...
2004 - DJ Vinyl Richie (Richie Mills) 2004 - 2007
- Steve Joll 2003 - 2004
- Mike Carpinter (as the character Props Boy) early 00's
- Virginie Le Brun 2005 - 2006
- Serena Cooper-Rongonui 2006 - 4 July 2010
- Tumehe Rongonui (Roving Reporter/Slam Host) 2007 - 14 November 2010
- Karl Jeno SchmidKarl Jeno SchmidKarl Jeno Schmid is an Australian Television Host. He has worked for TVNZ, TV1 , BBC, ITV, and in the US, TV Guide Network and TLC....
1995 - 1998 - Charlie Panapa 2005-28 November 2011
Gunge
Throughout the years What Now? has maintained the use of gungeGunge
Gunge as it is known in the British Isles, or slime as it is known in America and other parts of the world is a thick, gooey, runny substance similar in consistency to paint. It has been a feature on many children's programmes for many years around the world and has made appearances in game shows...
and slime. Children, celebrities, parents and sometimes the presenters are often the subject of embarrassment in various gunge games. Examples include Fill Ya Pants, Foam a Friend, Flushed Away, Gunge on the Run, Gunge on the Road, Weekly Gunge Games, The Gunge Machine, Tank of Terror, Super Circuit, Brain Freeze, and general gunging.