Viewers’ Views

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32314, 4 June 1970, Page 3

Viewers’ Views

Letters on television topics are subject to the rules applying to general correspondence. PURCHASING

Many viewers as well as myself will thank you for pursuing the inquiry into composition and qualifications of the committee which purchases films for the N.Z.B.C. We learn—through the public relations officer (!) that the committee consists of a team of eight film assessors, under a supervisor of programme purchasing. Well, that is something. All that remains for us to learn are the names of the committee members and of the supervisor (the main theme of the original inquiry)! They also hold important positions. Surely there is no need for continued anonymity. As for future film purchases, I suggest a closer look at Ireland (with its witty playwrights) and at Canada (from which we had a wonderful film lately—too rarely). I suppose it would be too much to ask for the reactions of the committee when it first viewed such a film as “F Troop?”— PUZZLED. [Mr Lyell Boyes, public relations officer of the N.Z.B.C. replies: “If your anonymous correspondent cares to write to Mr T. F. Shankland, controller of television programmes, or to Mr B. W. Parkin, supervisor of programme purchasing, asking such questions as the reactions of the committee members to “F Troop,” he will receive a direct reply. The names of the eight members are not made public, because the decision and authority to purchase are not theirs. Neither the Canadian Broadcasting Commission nor Telefis Eireann offers a long list of pro-

grammes in English for sale overseas; but records show that no major Canadian series has ever been turned down, and that two Irish dramas are currently being considered by the N.Z.B.C.”] GUESTIMATE A reward of $5OO was given for an incorrect answer in the “Guestimate” jackpot on Saturday night. There are six listings under Z in my telephone directory, not five. They are: Greymouth 4, Hokitika 1, Granity 1. When so much money is at stake answers should be correct.— HELEN DAVIS, Westport. [Mr Christopher Bourne, producer of “Guestimate” replies: “We do not usually reply to correspondence on quiz programmes as the judges’ decision must always be considered final. However, I am prepared to say that the particular question and answer were checked through the Post Office before being used in the programme.”]