I watched Wanna-Ben on TV last Saturday night. It was on just before the rugby world cup match (NZ vs France). The plot of this particular episode cast 'Ben' as an aspiring All Black, determined to make the world cup squad. His training program consisted of a series of spoof skits such as an interview with Len Brown on a train (training) and ambushing various NZ media personalities with a group hug from a rugby team (the media scrum).
At the completion of his training, Wanna-Ben presents his C.V to All Black coach Graham Henry then expectantly waits for the world cup squad to be announced. When he doesn't make the team, the next scene shows Wanna-Ben at the beach writing in the sand in an obvious take-off of the depression ad campaign that has screened recently. As the credits roll at the end of the show, the camera pulls back to a wide-angle shot which reveals the words in the sand. "F*#K YOU GRAHAM."
Too far Wanna-Ben. The episode was quite entertaining for the most part, then it took a huge dive. The final sequence was just bad taste. There are some well defined taboos in comedy - just ask Raybon Kan. The Kiwi comedian copped huge flak from the Jewish community recently for his stand-up routine which included a joke about how the Nazi's should be running Auckland's transport system as they were good at loading people onto trains.
Too far Wanna-Ben. The episode was quite entertaining for the most part, then it took a huge dive. The final sequence was just bad taste. There are some well defined taboos in comedy - just ask Raybon Kan. The Kiwi comedian copped huge flak from the Jewish community recently for his stand-up routine which included a joke about how the Nazi's should be running Auckland's transport system as they were good at loading people onto trains.
Poking fun at people suffering from depression is on the list of 'things that probably aren't a good idea'. After the recent hoax at the airport I think we can add 'impersonating a pilot' to that list.
The pranksters are appearing in court next month facing a possible $10,000 fine or one year in prison. What do you think? Should the judge throw the book at them or let them off easy?
The though of a line not to cross seems great until you have to define where it is drawn.
ReplyDeleteMy sense of humour means I all too easily see the funny side of the Auckland Transport joke and the point it makes however, I would agree that it is in bad taste.
As for the pilot plot, is there a chance it will just grow into a pilot whale? Yes it was probably a joke too far, but as security wasn't actually breached and an appology has been made should that be the end of it providing they don't include it in TV footage? After all the more that is made of, the more their 'free' publicity grows.
Hi Stephen, yes the publicity from this must be great for the show! I'm not sure that they should be let off the hook just because their plan didn't work and they've apologized. Does that mean that the next would-be-terrorist gets off if their attempt is unsuccessful?
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