Who's Got the X-Factor?

Tonight Hamish and I went along to the filming of the X-Factor Elimination Show at the movie studios in Henderson. After getting tickets for three weeks in a row, this was the first time I was actually able to attend!

We all had to line up outside, so we were surrounded by all these nicely-dressed teens! I bumped into Bettina, an old KiwiAsian Club friend, who was lining up behind us with her friends, and Kelvin, my old high school friend who was working as an ambulance officer for the night.

We finally got inside and they had segmented part of the giant building into a smaller area which they turned into an 'X-Factor' studio. At the back was scaffolded seating. That was all taken up by the time we got in. At the front was the stage, and on either side were the standing-only moshpits.

That's where we ended up. We were surrounded by all these young little people who were obsessed with Moorhouse. I'm sorry but I'm a Gap5 fan!

The show was to be broadcast at 8pm and we were there quite early, as they had to film a couple performances in advance. Tonight Stan Walker and Joseph and Maia (some new up-and-coming NZ duo) were to perform. Stan Walker was first.

We had to watch him perform twice, as the first time he performed we weren't into it enough! The same thing happened with Joseph and Maia. I've never heard of Joseph and Maia before, but I have to admit the song was quite catchy.

Once the performances were over, they had to film some segments, such as the opening of the opening of the show when the judges walk in, as well as a few other things. Guy Williams, that comedian from Jono and Ben at Ten was the crowd-warmer and provided the entertainment in between.

Finally it was 8pm and it was time for the show to be broadcast live! During the pre-recorded parts, we just had to watch it on the giant background screens. We were then told when the commercials were on.

When the commercials were over and it was time to go live, we had to cheer really loud as all the contestants were introduced and came out one by one. Dom, the host then announced who made it through. I have to admit I didn't really care as long as Gap 5 were safe!

The live performances were played after the break, before we returned live to watch the final two perform. The judges then announced who they wanted to leave, and the announcement was greeted with boos (as expected).

After the show when we got home, I rewatched the show and have to admit everything sounded better live! I always complain about how bad the contestants on these singing shows sound when watching and listening to them on TV, but you can't really tell when you're actually there.

As for Hamish's and my five seconds of fame...

What a Game!

What a game that was! Lately I've avoided netball, as I don't really rate it much as a sport, but I have to admit the NZ vs Australia Commonwealth Games gold medal match last night was quite exciting!

Aonghas was screaming like a girl, I was dissing everyone and my mum was in disbelief as NZ came from behind to take the lead and then blow it to finish full-time tied with Australia.

The two extra halves were also tied and so went into sudden death mode. It just kept going on and on and on, and so I thought I'd have time to get myself some dinner.

Finally NZ stretched the lead to two goals and won the game! It's about time we beat Australia to win a gold medal!

Congratulations Silver Ferns!

Making Good Times

I'm so proud I managed to teach two of my students all about major scales (TTSTTTS) and key signatures! OK that's very sad...The night before recorder classes I'm always dreading the next morning and what class will be like, because when the students don't get it then it's not a very good feeling. When classes go well and you students get it though you finish class even more passionate about what you're doing. Today was one of those days!

I managed to convince my mum to check out the Asian video store in the city that is having a closing down sale with over 50% off some of the items. I have to say some of the dramas sound quite...interesting! Most of them didn't have English blurbs on the back though, so Aonghas had to use his phone to take a photo of the cover and search it up Google (talk about the wonders of technology!).

We also had no idea which dramas were good (just which ones had the hot girls...), so we didn't really buy anything except a DVD set on tai chi for my dad. I was hoping to get a Cantonese drama series so I could improve my Cantonese but maybe I should do some research first!

Right now though, I've been watching this Taiwanese drama called 'It Started with a Kiss' about a girl who isn't the smartest girl in the world falling for probably the smartest guy in the world doesn't seem to have any feelings or emotions. When an earthquake destroys her house, she moves in with the guy (their parents are best friends), and she starts to pursue him. I'm up to episode 18 right now! It's not actually too bad, even though sometimes the characters can annoy me, but it's a drama afterall!

See all in the City

After enduring two really boring lectures in the morning, I wandered back to the city to today to have lunch with my friend Angie when she had her break.
 
After spending some time sleeping/studying at the public library, I went to the Quad at city campus to find bright lights, television cameras and some people sitting in front of a background preparing to film some TV show! I also saw some well-known television journalists like TVNZ's Cameron Bennett sitting nearby with some of his colleagues! I finally figured out that the show was for Maori Television.

Now to try get my five seconds of fame! There was a gap between some of the background panels, so I walked by behind them and stood there between the gap for a few seconds before carrying on!

I met up with Angie outside the library and we went to the cafeteria where I bought these potato wedges that she had told me about earlier in the year. I thought maybe I should try them out! They weren't cooked yet so we had to wait for a while, but once they were done we went upstairs to have our lunch (behind the panels for another shot on TV!).

What was amazing was on the way there, I bumped into three of my high school friends, Shen, Larry and Amy! That is why I wish I spent more time at the city campus! You don't have to walk far to catch up with your friends!

We just talked and ate for a while before I walked her down to her locker and parted ways as she went off to class. I still had some of my wedges that I hadn't finished, so I just sat outside the library finishing them when I caught up with Sarena and John, two other high school friends! What a great day for catching up with old high school friends!

I really had nothing else to do, as I had only stayed at uni to catch up with Angie, so I went to the bus stop to try catch the next bus. That's when I saw that guy...Matt Gibb I think (??) from Studio 2 filming some segment where he dresses up with a giant mustache and interviews people on the street! I overheard him talking about embarrassing moments, so I started to wonder...what would I say if he asked me what my most embarrassing moment was? Could this be my five seconds of fame?

Sadly....no. My bus came, he hadn't interviewed anyone yet and I couldn't be bothered trying to look vulnerable in order to lure him to me!

Now I just have to try find out which Maori TV show was being filmed on campus today, and look for myself in the background!

Reply from TVNZ Re:Dedicated Weekly Science/Health/Technology Show

Dear Paul (my dad)

Thanks for your suggestion. While we do not have a dedicated programme we try to 

cover the portfolios you refer to in our general news and current affairs output. That is not 

the same I agree but I shall ensure your idea is referred up. Thanks  for writing in.

Mike Farman

News and Current Affairs.

Telly Talk

I just watched Christmas in the Park on tape and you won’t know how irate it left me feeling at the end of it. TV3 have done an appalling job at broadcasting this event and have abused their right by using the time to showcase and publicise their presenters. During Petra Bagust’s totally unnecessary interviews, you could hear the performances already beginning. They cut the broadcast down to an hour, yet they put in a lot of this garbage in it. I remember when Christmas in the Park was screened on TVNZ back in the early years of the event in 1994, and TVNZ did a great job of it. I sent an email to TV3 with my complaint and I’ll post their reply (that is if I receive one) on this blog.

 

I came to realise that on TVNZ, they have shows such as ASB Business which report on business news, Agenda, Face to Face with Kim Hill and Closeup@7 reporting and analysing current affairs and politics, but where are the television shows looking at science/technology/health? It would be great if there was a weekly show providing an in-depth analysis of science news of the week such as the latest breakthroughs, discoveries, etc. That suggestion has been emailed to TVNZ and I’ll post their reply on this blog as well.

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