Is anything of note happening here?

Many years ago a British TV programme lampooned New Zealand television for the items carried in the news.

I’m a little vague on the details but I think something to do with the theft of a few sheep had been a leading story at the time.

The implication was we were just a quaint little country where nothing of note happened.

Anyone whose been looking for serious current affairs on television could be forgiven for thinking this still applies.

Seven Sharp didn’t promise to be serious and has failed anyway.

I’d hoped for much better from TV3′s 3rd Degree. It promised much but delivered so little I stopped watching after a very few minutes.

I take it from several reviews, including One Guy too Many from Cactus Kate and why TV3 should hang its head in shame over ’3rd Degree’ and why I suspect Duncan Garner and Guyon Espiner would agree with me from Brian Edwards, that I was wise to do so.

There’s one last chance for television this morning. Q & A starts at 9am.

A media release from TVNZ says:

We speak to the Government’s Mr Fix It, Steven Joyce, about the deals with Novopay and SkyCity, and question how committed the government is to creating new jobs.

Also on the programme, should marriage be solely between a man and woman; we hear from a gay couple who question why they’re being treated as second class citizens. We debate the same-sex marriage bill with Labour MP Louisa Wall and Conservative Party Leader Colin Craig, and ask if gay couples should be able to adopt.

On the panel this week is political scientist Dr Raymond Miller, publisher Ian Wishart, and former Labour party candidate Josie Pagani.

Join host Susan Wood and political editor Corin Dann on Q+A at 9am this Sunday on TV One.

I probably won’t be. I have other things on my agenda this morning – as do most other people at 9am on Sunday. But I will try to catch up with what happened on MySky later in the hope that maybe one little corner of television thinks there is something happening in New Zealand which people ought to know about.

Sharpish in places

TVNZ promised lots in the promos for  Seven Sharp.

They delivered three presenters who managed to keep up traction without falling over each other’s lines, which isn’t easy to do.

The first segment took us to the PM in his office and a behind the parliamentary scenes tour led by Paula Bennett. It moved so quickly it had a strobe effect which was a bit off-putting.

I’m a political tragic and a fan of both MPs but I guess this would have wider appeal. Anyone who thought the PM had a glamorous life would have had their illusions shattered by his tale of dinners of cold baked beans from the can.

The dig at the three Labour David’s was witty enough- though people without my blue bias might not have enjoyed the ghost of leader-past as much as I did.

A soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious issue and one worth covering but something distracted me minutes into the interview and by the time I tuned back it was over.

Viewer suggestions and a poll on who should escort the PM onto the marae at Waitangi was supposed to be funny but felt a bit too try-hard for feedback.

The programme ended with an interview with a singer who gave me the impression he was a pleasant bloke. His name escapes me – which could be an indication I’m not the target audience.

The promos promised more than the first show delivered – it might be Seven Sharp but it was more just sharpish in places.

However, it’s is going to be filming live in Oamaru on Wednesday when the Scott 100 celebrations  get underway so I’ll reserve judgement and give it points in advance for getting out of Auckland and Wellington.