Jesse Mulligan to defend “worst TV show ever made”
TVNZ’s Seven Sharp presenter Jesse Mulligan is returning to his home town to talk about the controversial new show
Seven Sharp presenter Jesse Mulligan returns to his hometown of Hamilton on May 10 to talk to the Wintec Press Club about his strange and dramatic experience of working in the “eye of a storm”.
As a presenter of the TVNZ show Seven Sharp, Mulligan has faced criticism and derision from critics who have described the programme as “the worst TV show ever made anywhere in the world”.
Mulligan, who went to Hillcrest High in Hamilton, will speak to an invite-only audience of about 100 guests at the Wintec Press Club, and is looking forward to spilling the beans about working on the show.
“I reckon Seven Sharp has been the most talked about local show since Shortland Street,” he says.
“I’m looking forward to setting the record straight on a few things, sharing some of the stuff that nobody’s heard about, and talking about what it’s been like in the eye of the storm.
“Hamilton is my home town, and there’s no place I’d rather open up and share some of what life’s been like these last few months.”
Steve Braunias, the editor in residence at the School of Media Arts, says he’s thrilled that Mulligan accepted his invitation to appear at the Wintec Press Club.
“It certainly seems that Seven Sharp is an abomination, a disgrace, represents a new low in New Zealand journalism, and is quite possibly the worst TV show ever made anywhere in the world.
“But Jesse is a nice fellow. He’s also smart, funny, honest and open. It should be fascinating to hear his views.”
Mulligan will speak for about 30 minutes at the Press Club luncheon, followed by a Q + A session with the audience.
Chatham House rules will apply to the luncheon, meaning that what is said in the room, stays in the room. “This will allow Jesse the freedom to speak his mind for the exclusive benefit of the invite-only audience,” says Braunias.
Mulligan is the latest guest speaker at the free lunch extravaganza, which is staged on behalf of Wintec’s journalism students. Three press club events are held during the year. Past speakers have included John Campbell, Michael Laws, Robyn Malcolm, the late Sir Paul Holmes, and the late Greg King.
The audience is made up of Wintec staff and students, as well as identities from sport, politics, business and the arts in the Waikato, Auckland, and beyond.
“I see the Press Club as a great opportunity for Wintec students and staff to drink and be merry with the wider community,” Braunias says. “We’re all in this together.”
The 12-2pm lunch will be held at the Ferrybank restaurant and convention centre in Grantham St, on the banks of the Waikato River in downtown Hamilton.
