Survival test tor viewers

Press, 17 February 1978, Page 11

Survival test tor viewers

Viewers throughout New Zealand will be asked what they would do should earthquake, fire, drowning, or other disaster strike. South Pacific Television plans a twohour special called “National Survival Test.’’ It will be transmitted on the tenth anniversary of the Wahine disaster, on Arpil 10. Newspapers will carry advertisements incorporating score cards, and viewers will be asked to keep their scores, according to the answers they give to a series of questions.

Press advertising will be paid for by the Accident Compensation Commission. and there Will be no prizes except viewers’ satisfaction at answering questions correctly.

What viewers would do in a violent earthquake or what action they would take if they came across a child at the bottom of a swimming pool, are questions of the type likely to be asked.

The programme, to be produced in Auckland by George Andrews, will be screened between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Another new show planned by TV2 will be based on viewers’ requests. A name has yet to be given to the programme, which will be in

the “You Asked For It” style. “We will deal with about six requests each night,” says the head of information programmes (Rod Cornelius). “For example, someone might want to know just what people get for their money on the luxury liner, Queen Elizabeth 11. We would go aboard and take a look at one of the luxury suites and perhaps interview some of the people living the good life aboard the liner.”

South Pacific’s programme controller (Kevan Moore) has another series up his sleeve for about September. It has a working title of “Superperson” and, Mr Moore says, will look for “the good, all-round male or female adult New Zealander.” A points system would be used and four or five entrants would participate in each of 11 episodes.

The series will end with four finalists, and Mr Moore expects "the usual overseas trip or similar prize” to be awarded to the eventual “superperson." The producer, Don Hutchings, is also planning a similar series called “Superkid,” in which contestants will be under 16.