Close Up host Mark Sainsbury has taken a bit of criticism for his role on the TV ONE leaders' debate. Certainly if Sainbsury was there in the role of debate moderater, then he didn't really do that. He pretty much just left Helen Clark and John Key to slug it out, rarely attempting to let one finish if the other started talking over the top, and not doing much in the way of making the two leaders stick to the point or picking them up if their answers were a little light on truth.
Rather than adding to the criticism of Sainsbury though, I'd be more inclined to question his casting in the role. He's just not a hard-arse interviewer/moderator. Never has been. He's a warm and genial host - so he hosted the programme and facilitated it, but he didn't really moderate. If TV ONE wanted that style, they'd have been better to use Paul Henry or Mike Hosking, who have more of the current affairs interviewer killer instinct.
For myself, I didn't actually mind that the debate had a slightly loose and un-moderated feel. I agree with NZ Herald columnist Noelle McCarthy who said that gave it a relaxed kind of Kiwi feel that was nice to see after all the razzamatazz of the American presidential debates.
And I liked the You Tube voters' questions part of the programme concept. I think that is probably part of why the debate rated better than political programmes usually do. It was unashamedly populist in its style rather than pointy-headed. I'm not sure about the role of the three guest journalists, however. I'm unconvinced that their presence really added anything.
Anyway, enough from me, what did you think? Did you think TV ONE made a good job of the production of the debate? Did you think Sainsbury did a good job or a bad one? Do you think he should be on the other leaders' debates TV ONE still has planned? Who else would you like to see in that role? Paul Henry? Mike Hosking? Any other suggestions?
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3 comments:
I think you are being a bit too kind. Sainsbury was weak as. Get Henry or Hosking next time!!!
Sainsbury was a bit weak, but he's a lot less annoying than Mike Hosking and Paul Henry. What about Susan Wood? She'd be good. Where's she gone?
I have a big problem with Paul Henry's very obviously right-wing views tainting Breakfast interviews. I am not convinced he would stay completely neutral in a leaders' debate.
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