Billy T James
William James Te Wehi Taitoko (17 January 1948 – 7 August 1991), better known by his stage name Billy T. James, was a New Zealand entertainer, comedian, musician and actor. He became a key figure in the development of New Zealand comedy and was a household name during his lifetime. Early life Billy grew up as William James Te Wehi Taitoko, first in the Waikato town of Leamington (now part of Cambridge), then in Whangārei. At high school, he sang and played guitar in a band. Popular for drawing caricatures of his teachers, Billy began an apprenticeship as a signwriter after leaving school. In his mid 20s, Billy T. was invited to join showband the Māori Volcanics, and was soon performing around the world, echoing the path of entertainers John Rowles and Frankie Stevens. He quickly showed his skills as impressionist, comedian, guitarist and saxophone-player. While living in Australia Billy went solo, dropping his Taitoko surname, and rearranging his birth names to "somethin ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
Cambridge, New Zealand
Cambridge () is a town in the Waipā District of the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. Situated southeast of Hamilton, New Zealand, Hamilton, on the banks of the Waikato River, Cambridge is known as "The Town of Trees & Champions". The town has a population of , making it the largest town in the Waipā District, and the third largest urban area in the Waikato (after Hamilton and Taupō). Cambridge was a finalist in the 2017 and 2019 New Zealand's Most Beautiful Large Town awards, run by Keep New Zealand Beautiful. It was awarded the title New Zealand's Most Beautiful Large Town in October 2019. History Prior to the arrival of Europeans there were a number of Maori pā in the vicinity of what would become Cambridge. In the 1850s missionaries and farmers from Britain settled in the area and introduced modern farming practices to local Maori, helping them set up two flour mills and importing grinding wheels from England and France. During the 1850s, wheat was a p ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
The Dog's Tail
''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the most frequently used word in the English language; studies and analyses of texts have found it to account for seven percent of all printed English-language words. It is derived from gendered articles in Old English which combined in Middle English and now has a single form used with nouns of any gender. The word can be used with both singular and plural nouns, and with a noun that starts with any letter. This is different from many other languages, which have different forms of the definite article for different genders or numbers. Pronunciation In most dialects, "the" is pronounced as (with the voiced dental fricative followed by a schwa) when followed by a consonant sound, and as (homophone of the archaic pronoun ''thee'' ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
TV3 (New Zealand)
Three (), stylised as +HR=E, is a New Zealand nationwide television channel. Launched on 26 November 1989 as TV3, it was New Zealand's first private broadcasting, privately owned television channel. The channel currently broadcasts nationally (with regional advertising targeting four markets) in digital free-to-air form via the state-owned Kordia on terrestrial and satellite. Vodafone also carries the channel for their cable subscribers in Wellington and Christchurch. It previously broadcast nationally on analogue television until that was switched off on 1 December 2013. Three is a general entertainment channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand, with a news element under the banner of ThreeNews. Three carries a significant amount of local content, most of which airs at prime-time. History Establishment Applications to apply for warrants to operate New Zealand's third national television network opened in early 1985 and closed on 29 March 1985. There were four regio ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
Play School (New Zealand TV Series)
''Play School'' is a New Zealand educational television show for children. It is based on the British '' Play School'' show. The series first aired in 1972, and ended in 1990. Synopsis ''Play School'' was first broadcast in New Zealand on Tuesday 22 March 1972 for a 26-week trial period, with a group of six hosts chosen, one pair for each week. Series one and two continued to be broadcast twice weekly, Tuesday and Thursday at around 4.30pm. Its first producer was David Istance, an ex-BBC TV floor manager, who had worked on the British ''Play School'', as well as comedies ''All Gas and Gaiters'' and ''Hugh and I Spy'' during the 1960s. He later returned to the UK and worked as a production assistant on ''Juliet Bravo'' (1980) and then as a production manager on '' Bergerac'', ''Juliet Bravo'', '' All Creatures Great and Small'' (1983), '' Malestrom'' and '' Tenko Reunion'' (1985) and in the mid-80s worked at BBC TV Training at Elstree Studios. It was originally recorded at AKTV2' ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
Miami Vice
''Miami Vice'' is an American crime drama television series created by Anthony Yerkovich and produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series stars Don Johnson as James "Sonny" Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo Tubbs, Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs, two Miami-Dade Police Department, Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami, Florida. The series ran for five seasons on NBC from September 16, 1984 to June 28, 1989, airing on Friday nights at the 10:00 Post Meridiam, p.m. standard time slot. Unlike traditional police procedurals, ''Miami Vice'' drew heavily upon 1980s culture, specifically noting its integration of contemporary pop and rock music, contemporary Sports car, sports cars (such as the Ferrari Testarossa and Lamborghini Countach), and stylish or stylized visuals. ''People (magazine), People'' magazine states that ''Miami Vice'' was the "first show to look really new and different since color TV was invented". Decades later, ''Miami Vice'' would s ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
Peter Rowley
Peter Rowley (sometimes credited as Harrison Rowley during his early career) (born 29 April 1952) is a New Zealand comic actor and writer. He is best known for his television roles, where he has played in numerous popular television series as comic foil and straight man to comedians such as Billy T. James, David McPhail and Jon Gadsby. Rowley started his comedy career in New Zealand. He made his New Zealand television debut as an actor and writer in the satirical sketch show '' A Week of It'', following which he continued to work with that show's stars David McPhail and Jon Gadsby in '' McPhail and Gadsby'' and '' Letter to Blanchy''. He also worked with Billy T. James in ''The Billy T James Show'', for which he also wrote material. He received title billing in the series '' Pete and Pio'' (1994) alongside fellow comedian Pio Terei. In 2010, Rowley wrote and presented a tribute to the late Billy T. James, entitled '' Billy T. and Me''. [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
Te Karere
''Te Karere'' (The Messenger) is a news and current affairs show that was New Zealand's first Māori language television programme. ''Te Karere'' is broadcast on Television New Zealand's TVNZ 1 at 4:00 pm on weekdays after Tipping Point (game show), Tipping Point and repeated 1:05 am and 5:35 am the following day. The focus of the programme is content which is of national significance to the targeted Māori audience. The programme is funded in its entirety by Te Māngai Pāho. History ''Te Karere'' first went to air during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Māori Language Week, with a two minute bulletin celebrating the week in 1982. The original presenters and producers were Derek Fox (broadcaster), Derek Fox and Whai Ngata. The following year, ''Te Karere'' got a regular slot of four minutes. With a modest, shoestring budget, Fox and Ngata produced a professional news show. The show was originally broadcast on TVNZ 2, TV2, but as that channel had poor coverage on the East Coa ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
Lost Television Broadcast
Lost television broadcasts are Television show, television programs that were not preserved after their original airing, rendering them permanently unavailable for both public and private screening. Because of this, they are considered a form of lost media, particularly affecting television shows or films that aired before the widespread use of home video recording and digital preservation, digital archiving. A significant portion of Prewar television stations, early television programming was never recorded, largely because recording equipment was unavailable or the content was considered to have little Value (economics), monetary or Historic value, historical value. Wiping Data erasure, Wiping and junking are Colloquialism, colloquial terms for actions taken by radio, television, production and broadcasting companies to erase or destroy old tape recorder, audiotapes, videotapes, and kinescopes. Although the practice was once typical, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, wiping ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
TVNZ
Television New Zealand (, "Te Reo Tātaki" meaning "The Leading Voice"), more commonly referred to as TVNZ, is a New Zealand state-owned media company and Crown entity. The company operates a television network, streaming service, and news service that is available throughout New Zealand and parts of the Pacific region. All of its currently-operating channels are free-to-air and funded through advertising. TVNZ was established in February 1980 following the merger of the two government-owned television networks, Television One (now TVNZ 1) and South Pacific Television (now TVNZ 2), under a single administration. It was the sole television broadcaster in New Zealand until November 1989 when private channel TV3 (now Three) was launched. TVNZ operates playout services from its Auckland studio via Kordia's fibre and microwave network for TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2 and TVNZ Duke, with new media video services via the American-owned Brightcove which is streamed on the Akamai RTMP/ ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal
The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal was a commemorative medal awarded in New Zealand in 1990 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and was awarded to 3,632 people. Background The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal was instituted by Royal Warrant of Queen Elizabeth II on 9 February 1990. It was to be awarded only during 1990 to about 3,000 people selected in recognition of the contribution they have made to some aspect of New Zealand life, especially the various 1990 celebrations. A total of 3,632 medals were eventually awarded. The medal is known as the Sesquicentennial Medal, because it was issued on the 150th anniversary of signing of the Treaty of Waitangi by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand on 6 February 1840. The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal is an official medal to be worn on all occasions on which decorations and medals are worn. It is worn after Coro ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
Variety Artists Club Of New Zealand
The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc (VAC) is a non-for-profit organisation and show business club. It was founded in 1966 and became an incorporated society in 1972. The VAC was formed to promote goodwill within the New Zealand entertainment industry and foster a spirit of loyalty, friendship and cooperation between members. Each year the VAC presents a number of New Zealand entertainment awards including the prestigious Benny Award. Formation and history The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Incorporated (VAC) was formed in 1966 with the name of The Variety Artists Convention. Founder members include Les Andrews QSM, Edgar and Doris Benyon, Lou Clauson QSM, Dave Cowel, Peter Evans, Eddie and Elaine Hegan, Chic Littlewood, Pat McMinn OBE, Simon Mehana, Sally Metzger, Peter Newberry, Mary Throll, George Tumahai and Jon Zealando. The name was changed to The Variety Artists Club in 1968. In 1972 the club became an incorporated society. The same year the VAC Ben ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
|
Benny Award
The Benny Award is bestowed on a New Zealand variety entertainer. It is presented annually by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, a non-for-profit organisation and showbusiness club, founded in 1966 and awarded to a variety performer who has achieved "A lifetime of excellence in their field of the performing arts". Nominations Nominations for the Benny Award are accepted from VAC members and the recipient decided upon by past Benny recipients, making its presentation recognition of the highest degree by the New Zealand entertainment industry. Naming The Benny Award was named after its first recipient, New Zealand variety performer Edgar Benyon (1902–1978) in 1969. The Benny statuette was designed and sculptured by magician Jon Zealando and features Greek muses Melpomene Melpomene (; ) is the Muse of tragedy in Greek mythology. She is described as the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne (and therefore of power and memory) along with the other Muses, and she is often por ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |