New Zealand's Got Talent series 1

The first series of New Zealand's Got Talent began airing on Prime on 8 September 2008 and ran to 28 October 2008. It consisted of 13 episodes.

New Zealand's Got Talent
Series 1
Hosted byAndrew Mulligan
Jason Reeves
JudgesRichard Driver
Miriama Smith
Paul Ellis
WinnerChaz Cummings
Runner-upTMC
Release
Original networkPrime
Original release8 September (2008-09-08) –
28 October 2008 (2008-10-28)
Series chronology
Next →
Series 2

In March 2008, Prime announced it was producing a version of New Zealand's Got Talent, in conjunction with South Pacific Pictures and FremantleMedia, with a grand prize of NZ$100,000.[citation needed]

In June, actress Miriama Smith was announced as the first of the show's three judges,[citation needed] and television presenter Andrew Mulligan and radio host Jason Reeves were announced as the show's two presenters.[citation needed] In July, the final two judges were announced - former NZ Idol judge Paul Ellis and former Radio With Pictures presenter and television producer Richard Driver.[1]

It was the first and only series of New Zealand's Got Talent produced by Prime. The series had not delivered expected advertising revenue and in 2009, the network confirmed that they would not produce any further series.[2] Subsequent to the series lackluster performance, the franchise rights were acquired by TVNZ for a more successful second series run in 2012.

Auditions

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The audition process started in May 2008 with an initial registration period for applicants.[citation needed] The top applicants were then invited to the judges auditions rounds in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in August.[citation needed] The series started with highlights from the judges shows, one episode per location, starting on Monday 8 September.[citation needed] From this round, the judges chose 32 contestants to go through to the semi-finals.[citation needed]

Semi-finals

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There were four semi-finals with eight contestants in each show. Starting 29 September, the pre-recorded performance show screened on Mondays nights, followed by the live results show on Tuesday nights.[3][4]

Key   Judges' choice
  Won the public vote
  Won the judges' vote
  Lost the judges' vote

Semi-final 1 (29 September)

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Order Contestant Act Judges' choices Finished
Driver Smith Ellis
1 The Mini Me’s Dance Group Lost Judges Vote
2 Olaf John Singer Eliminated
3 Jeremy Ainsley Juggler Eliminated
4 Edward Owen Singer Eliminated
5 Americus Wilson Hula Hoop Act       Won Judges Vote
6 Fiddlelore Band Eliminated
7 Diflair Flair Bartenders Eliminated
8 Chaz Cummings Dancer Won Public Vote

Semi-final 2 (6 October)

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Order Contestant Act Judges' choices Finished
Driver Smith Ellis
1 All Star Cheerleaders Cheerleading Group Eliminated
2 Caleb Jago-Ward Singer Eliminated
3 Chelsea and Quest Dog Act       Won Judges Vote
4 Strungout Musicians Eliminated
5 Ruth Pearce Dancer Lost Judges Vote
6 Kent Isomura Pianist Eliminated
7 Gaylene Stewart Singer Won Public Vote
8 Andre Vegas Magician Eliminated

Semi-final 3 (13 October)

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Order Contestant Act Judges' choices Finished
Driver Smith Ellis
1 Melissa Nordhaus Singer Eliminated
2 Ease Singing Group       Won Judges Vote
3 TMC (That Mean Crew) Dance Group Won Public Vote
4 Foolish Honey Acrobat Eliminated
5 Caitlin Turner Singer Eliminated
6 Legacy Dance Group Lost Judges Vote
7 Seamus Sword Swallower Eliminated
8 Leo Barnett Singer Eliminated

Semi-final 4 (20 October)

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Order Contestant Act Judges' choices Finished
Driver Smith Ellis
1 Jai n Mel Acrobat Duo Eliminated
2 Joshy Beatboxer Won Public Vote
3 HymnChiDivah Singing Group Eliminated
4 Coral Pitcher Singer   Lost Public Vote
5 Tim Pekamu Harmonica Player     Won Judges Vote
6 Penelope Muir Singer Eliminated
7 Gabru Ground Shakers Dance Group Eliminated
8 Sticks Percussion Group Eliminated

Final (27 October)

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The finals performances took place on Monday 27 October with the results revealed on Tuesday 28 October. As well as the performances from each of the finalists, each judge invited back a previously eliminated contestant. They were singer Paton Jacinto, pianist Kent Isomura and singer Melissa Nordhouse.[5]

Order Contestant Act Finished
1 TMC (That Mean Crew) Dance Group 2
2 Ease Singing Group 7
3 Chelsea and Quest Dog Act 8
4 Americus Wilson Hula Hoop Act 5
5 Joshy Beatboxer 4
6 Chaz Cummings Dancer 1
7 Tim Pekamu Harmonica Player 6
8 Gaylene Stewart Singer 3

References

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  1. ^ "Who's the Hoff?". NZ Herald. 10 July 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  2. ^ "Sky boss upbeat despite profit fall". NZ Herald. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  3. ^ "New Zealand's Got Talent!". South Pacific Pictures. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  4. ^ "TV review: We all love an underdog, especially when the rest are barking mad". NZ Herald. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Time to cast your votes". NZ Herald. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2012.