Ratings prove audiences love beauty contests

Press, 29 August 1984, Page 15

Ratings prove audiences love beauty contests

With the exception of the Royal Wedding and the first hour of Telethon, the last five "Miss New Zealand” contests have rated better than anything else on television.

So Malcolm Kemp, the producer and director of the last four “Miss New Zealand” shows, does not see

any reason to change the show.

“The format has proven to be a successful one and there’s no point in change for change’s sake,” he said.

Mr Kemp, Television New Zealand’s new head of entertainment, is also producing and directing “Miss

New Zealand Show 1984.” He said that that no matter what people might say about the contest, an enormous percentage of the population watched the television show.

“Last year’s show rated higher than any other programme ever, including the Royal Wedding in 1981.” The 1%-hour “Miss New Zealand Show 1984” will be screened live on Saturday (One, 7 p.m.) from the Regent Theatre in Dunedin. For the third year in succession, Peter Sinclair will act as host, with a former “Miss New Zealand,” Lyndal Howley (nee Cruickshank), as co-host. The American group, The

Stylistics, and the New Zealand Army Band will perform and “Miss New Zealand” 1983, Maria Sando, will make a guest appearance. The new “Miss New Zealand” will draw the winning ticket in the Golden Kiwi Million. Dollar “Miss New Zealand Show” Lottery. As well as the work involved in presenting the live broadcast of the contest, TVNZ staff are spending the fortnight beforehand working with the 14 contestants on choreography, speech training, deportment, dress and make-up. The daywear parade is filmed on location, as is an outdoor item with the Army band.