Fair Go New Format a Lemon (online petition/Facebook campaign)
Fair Go is one of the longest running TV show on our screens, and for good reason. It presents the quintessential Kiwi battle of right against wrong, the little guy standing up against the giant corporate. The quirky brand of humour balanced perfectly with the serious (and not so serious) nature of the issues raised by Kevin Milne and the team has been a recipe for great success. It takes years to build the credibility and following that Fair Go has built for itself – and this could all come tumbling down with one poor editorial decision.
Those that have followed the show for any length of time will be familiar with the tried and true format. Each 8 minute block of the show deals with one important issue. Shorter segments will be complemented by a shorter piece; more in-depth articles are continued “after the break”.
Fair Go has decided to adopt the ADHD format of starting a story, then abruptly returning to the studio to be told “more on that story later in the show”. The constant redirects and detours have this young viewer in a tangle, and I’m sure older viewers (with due respect) will also be having problems following the confusing new format.
I’m sure the producers of the show realise this, as evidenced by Ru’s mouthful of a recap when returning to her story about the phonebook artist this week. The long-winded reminder summary of the first half of the story meant you didn’t even have to tune in for the first half of the show. In fact, I’m pretty sure that tuning in at 7:40pm every week would still get you the “juice” in only 20 minutes.
Perhaps that’s what the intention of the producers is – they are looking after those of us that are running 10 minutes late and making sure we don’t miss anything vital. As much as I'd like to believe that, the cynic in me feels that the terrible new format is simply one intended to persuade viewers not to reach for the remote and switch channels. I’m sorry to say that the new format is one which makes me feel more inclined to reach for said remote compared to the tried and true format of old.
I’m not against change per se, but this one is a terrible lemon. It cheapens the show and it’s almost insulting that the producers don’t think that the quality of the show is enough to keep us tuned in – we have week after week for over 30 years haven’t we?
It wouldn’t be right to just sit back and let this happen. The Fair Go “attitude” would be to fight back so let’s make it clear to Fair Go that we don’t appreciate the change. The editor of Fair Go has already indicated that due to viewer feedback the floating bubbles will be looked at for closeup shots in the new studio, so let’s put the pressure on for this change to be reversed.
I’ve started a Facebook campaign page where you can lend your support and comments:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=103125599734454
If you don't have Facebook, then you can still "sign on" your support by simply leaving a comment below with your thoughts - Fair Go will be directed to this page to see your feedback, which they will hopefully take on board.
And Graeme if you are reading this, which I think you will be, I really am a true fan of the show. I’m sure you would appreciate that I wouldn’t have taken all this effort otherwise. We love the show, and while not all changes you make are always going to be popular, I think this is a serious failing of the new-look show and implore you to carefully re-consider.
Fair Go Forever.
More information
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Comment by wmoore, on 15-May-2010 01:01 , user id: 26646)
"Fair Go is the longest running TV show on our screens"
I believe Country calendar has been running longer.
Comment by hellonearthisman, on 15-May-2010 01:37 , user id: 25537)
I have not caught the new show, I follow the rss feed and see the publish mp4 but the links never work. Maybe I should moan about it, but I feel all moaned out this week.
Comment by Kyanar, on 15-May-2010 12:17 , user id: 32938)
So they're following the "Target" format? Awful. I've never liked how you have to watch an entire episode of Target (minus the first 10 minutes) to have any idea what's happening.
Comment by pih, on 15-May-2010 22:37 , user id: 46590)
Didn't see it, but totally agree with the sentiment -- why change a good thing? It was immensely successful because of what it was (and what it wasn't). I'm ok with a bit of a facelift (as they've done several times over the years) but keep the tried and true format!
Comment by simon14, on 16-May-2010 11:22 , user id: 8584)
I must admit it's very un-natural when they do their camera turns, especially when all three of them do it at the same time
Comment by bcourtney, on 16-May-2010 18:46 , user id: 17395)
Not too concerned about the format one way or the other - the content's still the same.
Would seem that a good chunk of people seem initially intrigued at least with the new series, new format or not
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10645233
Comment by trevor, on 18-May-2010 15:17 , user id: 55070)
The show has three more weeks to live and then I can't be bothered.
WHY?
I hate the jumping around between stories and then the re-cap when we return, I didn't go anywhere!
BUT MY BIGGEST HATE
I feel everytime I'm watching somebody they are sinking underwater as the bubbles behind them rise. I can take about 10 minutes of this and then I literally feel giddy.
Close Up and Q+A started this silly trend, but the Fair Go bubbles are nauseating!
Comment by trevor, on 18-May-2010 15:18 , user id: 55070)
The show has three more weeks to live and then I can't be bothered.
WHY?
I hate the jumping around between stories and then the re-cap when we return, I didn't go anywhere!
BUT MY BIGGEST HATE
I feel everytime I'm watching somebody they are sinking underwater as the bubbles behind them rise. I can take about 10 minutes of this and then I literally feel giddy.
Close Up and Q+A started this silly trend, but the Fair Go bubbles are nauseating!
Comment by webwat, on 18-May-2010 16:33 , user id: 34156)
Doesn't it make more sense to give us a quick preview like they used to, instead of starting different stories that get left hanging? If they really want to split the story, they could just come back at end of the show with an actual solution.
Current format seems more like the american cop shows that have no more than entertainment value. At least with Fair Go we used to learn useful stuff by watching the problem and the legal stuff and issues coverage all in a sensible sequence.
Comment by Steve, on 19-May-2010 07:56 , user id: )
Have to agree with this post. Didn't catch the first episode but if this is what they've started doing then I won't be tuning in.
This is very much in-line with the American / Australian broadcasting style which caters to fickle viewers who have a bazillion channels to choose from and who tend to flick around between them a lot. It ensures that somebody joining the show late catches up and might stay watching, and that somebody already watching has to stay watching to see the end of the story.
Trouble with that is, here in New Zealand we've only got a handful of channels and we're really not that fickle. We generally watch a programme from beginning to end which is why our programming generally follows the British style of broadcasting which treats the viewer like an adult and doesn't feel the need to continually dangle a carrot to ensure you stay watching or take up 25% of the show's viewing time with recaps of stuff you've just seen because you've been here all along.
I can't imagine that Fair Go suffers from a lack of loyal viewers so why they've taken this route I don't know. I can only imagine that somewhere an Aussie or an American that doesn't actually understand the New Zealand psyche has had some input on the show's format.
Thanks for the warning, I'll be steering clear until they've seen sense and changed things back.
Comment by Steve, on 19-May-2010 08:19 , user id: )
Have to agree with this post. Didn't catch the first episode but if this is what they've started doing then I won't be tuning in.
This is very much in-line with the American / Australian broadcasting style which caters to fickle viewers who have a bazillion channels to choose from and who tend to flick around between them a lot. It ensures that somebody joining the show late catches up and might stay watching, and that somebody already watching has to stay watching to see the end of the story.
Trouble with that is, here in New Zealand we've only got a handful of channels and we're really not that fickle. We generally watch a programme from beginning to end which is why our programming generally follows the British style of broadcasting which treats the viewer like an adult and doesn't feel the need to continually dangle a carrot to ensure you stay watching or take up 25% of the show's viewing time with recaps of stuff you've just seen because you've been here all along.
I can't imagine that Fair Go suffers from a lack of loyal viewers so why they've taken this route I don't know. I can only imagine that somewhere an Aussie or an American that doesn't actually understand the New Zealand psyche has had some input on the show's format.
Thanks for the warning, I'll be steering clear until they've seen sense and changed things back.
Comment by steve98, on 26-May-2010 20:02 , user id: 20391)
Hey mate - well it was never acknowledged but tonight's episode of Fair Go was definitely back to the old format -- all stories completed in one hit and none straddling the break. Good work!
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Comment by corksta, on 15-May-2010 00:39 , user id: 30469)
I totally agree, love the show but can't stand this format either. All of the Australian reality shows do it too and it winds me up - just show the whole thing then move on to the next one!