How The Spinoff's Top 100 NZ TV shows list was made
Oct 30, 2024
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Alex Casey, a longtime co-host of Real Pod and contributor to The Spinoff, dives into the creation of the Top 100 NZ TV shows list. She shares the motivations and challenges of assembling the list, highlighting the need for diverse perspectives and cultural representation. The discussion touches on the evolution of New Zealand television and its emotional resonance, as well as the impact of streaming platforms on viewership. Casey also emphasizes the significance of local shows in shaping collective memories and community engagement.
The compilation of the Top 100 NZ TV shows reveals critical insights into national identity and cultural evolution in New Zealand television.
The project sparked extensive community engagement, highlighting personal connections to various shows and prompting discussions about cultural contributions and omissions.
Deep dives
The Top 100 New Zealand TV Shows Initiative
A significant focus of the project is the compilation of the top 100 New Zealand TV shows of the 21st century. This effort emerged from the realization that no such comprehensive assessment had previously been conducted within New Zealand's television landscape. The team acknowledged the need to include both critically acclaimed and popular shows, as many local favorites, often dismissed in other discussions, play a crucial role in national culture. A long list of nearly 300 shows was curated, which included a variety of formats, reflecting the diverse television offerings in the country.
Criteria and Challenges in Selection
The selection process faced complexities in defining criteria and narrowing down choices while ensuring a fair representation of various genres. The team decided to exclude certain categories, such as current affairs and international formats, to prioritize homegrown content and original ideas. This decision facilitated a clearer comparison and assessment of the significance of shows that shaped the local television landscape, even if some might consider it limiting. Each member of the selection panel contributed unique perspectives, ensuring broader representation of tastes and influences across decades.
Addressing Recency Bias and Legacy
The discussions also highlighted the challenge of recency bias in ranking the shows, as more recent offerings tend to overshadow legacy series. The team approached the ranking with the intent to honor the cultural impact and historical significance of older programs while recognizing newly popular shows. Many legacy programs, once considered lower in rank, were readjusted to reflect their continued relevance and fondness among audiences. This delicate balancing act aimed to create a list that felt fair and representative of the evolving New Zealand television landscape.
Impact and Community Reception
Following the release of the list, the community response from television creators and audiences alike has been largely positive, with many reflecting on their personal connections to the shows featured. Some creators took to social media to acknowledge their work on shows that made the final list, fostering a sense of pride and nostalgia. Nonetheless, there were still discussions surrounding unintended oversights involving popular series that didn't make the cut, sparking conversations about their cultural contributions. The project serves as not only a review of TV history but also as a means to engage with the community around shared viewing experiences and cultural discussions.
Duncan Greive is joined by his longtime Real Pod co-host Alex Casey to talk through the Top 100 NZ TV shows project, which ran on site last week and climaxes with a Q Theatre live show tonight. She talks about the way the list was assembled, what it says about us as a country, and why this is a particularly poignant moment to do this.