New Zealand's Got Talent (series 1)

New Zealand's Got Talent
Season 1
Broadcast from 8 September 2008 – 28 October 2008
Judges Richard Driver
Paul Ellis
Miriama Smith
Host(s) Andrew Mulligan
Jason Reeves
Broadcaster Prime
Winner:
Chaz Cummings
Origin Lower Hutt
Runner-up
TMC
Chronology
  2008 ►

The first series of New Zealand's Got Talent began airing on Prime on 8 September 2008 and ran to 28 October 2008. It consisted of 13 episodes.

In March 2008, Prime announced it was producing a version of New Zealand's Got Talent, in conjunction with South Pacific Pictures and FremantleMedia, with a grand prize of NZ$100,000.[1]

In June, actress Miriama Smith was announced as the first of the show's three judges,[2] and television presenter Andrew Mulligan and radio host Jason Reeves were announced as the show's two presenters.[3] In July, the final two judges were announced - former NZ Idol judge Paul Ellis and former Radio With Pictures presenter and television producer Richard Driver.[4][5]

It was the first and only series of New Zealand's Got Talent produced by Prime. The series had not delivered expected advertising revenue and in 2009, the network confirmed that they would not produce any further series.[6] Subsequent to the series lackluster performance, the franchise rights were acquired by TVNZ for a more successful second series run in 2012.

Auditions

The audition process started in May 2008 with an initial registration period for applicants.[7] The top applicants were then invited to the judges auditions rounds in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in August.[1] The series started with highlights from the judges shows, one episode per location, starting on Monday 8 September.[8] From this round, the judges chose 32 contestants to go through to the semi-finals.[9]

Semi-finals

There were four semi-finals with eight contestants in each show. Starting 29 September, the pre-recorded performance show screened on Mondays nights, followed by the live results show on Tuesday nights.[10][11]

Key Judges' choice   Won the public vote   Won the judges' vote   Lost the judges' vote

Semi-final 1 (29 September)

Order Contestant Act Judges' choices Finished
Smith Ellis Driver
1 The Mini Me’s Dancing Lost judges vote
2 Olaf John Singer Eliminated
3 Jeremy Ainsley Juggler Eliminated
4 Edward Owen Singer Eliminated
5 Americus Wilson Hula hooping Won judges vote
6 Fiddlelore Fiddle group Eliminated
7 Diflair Flair bartending Eliminated
8 Chaz Cummings Dancer Won public vote

Semi-final 2 (6 October)

Order Contestant Act Judges' choices Finished
Smith Ellis Driver
1 All Star Cheerleaders Cheerleaders Eliminated
2 Caleb Jago-Ward Singer Eliminated
3 Chelsea and Quest Dog act Won judges vote
4 Strungout Musicians Eliminated
5 Ruth Pearce Dancer Lost judges vote
6 Kent Isomura Pianist Eliminated
7 Gaylene Stewart Singer Won public vote
8 Andre Vegas Magician Eliminated

Semi-final 3 (13 October)

Order Contestant Act Judges' choices Finished
Smith Ellis Driver
1 Melissa Nordhaus Singer Eliminated
2 Ease Singing group Won judges vote
3 TMC (That Mean Crew) Dancing Won public vote
4 Foolish Honey Trapeze act Eliminated
5 Caitlin Turner Singer Eliminated
6 Legacy Dancing Lost judges vote
7 Seamus Sword swallower Eliminated
8 Leo Barnett Singer Eliminated

Semi-final 4 (20 October)

Order Contestant Act Judges' choices Finished
Smith Ellis Driver
1 Jai n Mel Eliminated
2 Joshy Beatboxer Won public vote
3 HymnChiDivah Singing group Eliminated
4 Coral Pitcher Singer/guitarist Lost public vote
5 Tim Pekamu Harmonica Won judges vote
6 Penelope Muir Singer Eliminated
7 Gabru Ground Shakers Bangra dancers Eliminated
8 Sticks Percussionists Eliminated

Final (27 October)

The finals performances took place on Monday 27 October with the results revealed on Tuesday 28 October. As well as the performances from each of the finalists, each judge invited back a previously eliminated contestant. They were singer Paton Jacinto, pianist Kent Isomura and singer Melissa Nordhouse.[12][13]

Order Contestant Act Finished
1 TMC (That Mean Crew) Dancing 2
2 Ease Singing group 7
3 Chelsea and Quest Dog act 8
4 Americus Wilson Hula hooper 5
5 Joshy Beatboxer 4
6 Chaz Cummings Dancer 1
7 Tim Pekamu Harmonica 6
8 Gaylene Stewart Singer 3

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "PRIME ANNOUNCES NEW ZEALAND'S GOT TALENT!". Throng. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  2. ↑ "MIRIAMA SMITH TO JUDGE NEW ZEALAND'S GOT TALENT". Throng. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  3. ↑ "ANDREW MULLIGAN AND JASON REEVES TO HOST NEW ZEALAND'S GOT TALENT". Throng. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  4. ↑ "PAUL ELLIS AND RICHARD DRIVER JOIN MIRIAMA SMITH ON JUDGING PANEL". Throng. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  5. ↑ "Who's the Hoff?". NZ Herald. 10 July 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  6. ↑ "Sky boss upbeat despite profit fall". NZ Herald. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  7. ↑ "PRIME BEGINS THE SEARCH FOR THE NEW ZEALAND TALENT!". Throng. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "PRIME ANNOUNCES AIR DATE FOR NZGT". Throng. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  9. ↑ "SEMI-FINALS!". Throng. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  10. ↑ "New Zealand's Got Talent!". South Pacific Pictures. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  11. ↑ "TV review: We all love an underdog, especially when the rest are barking mad". NZ Herald. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  12. ↑ "CONGRATULATIONS CHAZ CUMMINGS: NEW ZEALAND'S GOT TALENT WINNER!". Throng. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  13. ↑ "Time to cast your votes". NZ Herald. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2012.