After School (TV series)

After School (After 2)
Created by Ian Cumming
Presented by Olly Ohlson (1980-1987)
Richard Evans (1987)
Annie Roach (1987-8)
Jason Gunn (1988-9)
Country of origin New Zealand
Original language(s) English, Te Reo Māori
Production
Camera setup Multi-Camera
Broadcast
Original channel TVNZ
Picture format PAL
Original run 1980 – 1989

After School (later called After 2) was a long New Zealand after-school, children's television show, that aired on TVNZ from 1980–1989. The show featured the first appearance of TV presenter Jason Gunn and the birth of the puppet alien Thingee. It is also one of the first New Zealand shows to incorporate te reo Maori (Olly Ohlson was the first Māori presenter to anchor a children's show[1]) and sign language. It was shot in Christchurch.

Background

The concept of After School came from TVNZ head of children's programming Hal Weston, who wished to have more Maori programming on the air.[2] Olson was chosen by producer Ian Cumming to be the anchor for the show in order to be a male role model for viewers and because of his knowledge of the Reo Maori.

Cultural impact

The show was groundbreaking in using Maori and sign language on the show, and Olson's sign off "Keep cool till after school" (a phrase from his daughter) with accompanying sign language became part of national vernacular.[3]

Main article: Thingee

The puppet Thingee hatched out of an egg on the show. The character was a regular feature on the show and would go to be featured in The Son of a Gunn Show, What Now and Jase TV.

Presenters

Awards

See also

References

  1. ↑ "After School". Article. NZ On Screen. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  2. ↑ Stewart, Kathryn. "After School - the Olly Ohlson years". Interview. TVNZ. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Simon, Annie. "After School - Thingee Takes". Article. NZ On Screen. Retrieved 25 September 2012.

External links