Afternoons for Tuesday 11 August 2015

1:10 The Song You Have To Hear

Let It All Go - Birdy and Rhodes

1:15 Whale Watching - Georgie Smith

Staff at Auckland's Maritime Rescue Centre had a rare treat today when a southern right whale spent part of the morning lolling about in Mechanics Bay. The building houses the Coastguard Operations Centre, Police Maritime Unit and the Harbourmaster's Office. And those on duty had an unimpeded view of the massive mammalian visitor. Coastguard spokesperson Georgie Smith was one of those spectators.

1:20 Story Review - Phil Wallington

TV3's new 7pm show, Story, kicked off last night. The current affairs programme replaced Campbell Live. Our critic, Phil Wallington, was watching.

1:30 Off The Hook - Dylan Moran

Our next guest is comedian, writer, actor and filmmaker, Dylan Moran. He's known for his stand-up comedy, his UK sitcom Black Books, and his work in Shaun of the Dead and Run Fatboy Run. And he's bringing his stand-up show, Off The Hook, to New Zealand later this month.

1:40 Feature Album

4 Way Street by Crosby Stills Nash and Young.  Chosen by David Cairns of Auckland.

2:08 Hip Hop World Championship 2015 - Nathan Kara

Megacrews from more than 50 countries have been breaking, popping and locking on stage at the 2015 World Hip Hop Championships. And that was the sound of New Zealand crew, Bradas, taking out the final in the Adult Division. Nathan Kara is part of the seven-strong team and he joins us from San Diego.

2:14 Te Kohatu Hangi - John Stevens

John Stevens from Waitara has a problem many other business people would be envious of. He's having trouble meeting the worldwide demand for his invention, the Te Kohatu Hangi cooker.

2:10 The Greatest Kiwi Concert You've Ever Seen - ZZ Top in Auckland 1987

Somewhere near 80 thousand people turned out to see Texan rockers ZZ Top for their 1987 show at Western Springs Stadium - and the band played so loud they were banned from ever performing there again. Jesse speaks to Wayne Elliot, the lead singer for Hamilton hard rockers Knightshade who opened the show. We'll also ask journalists Peter Jessup and Colin Hogg about their impression of the controversial concert.

3:10 Feature interview - Alan Alda

Actor Alan Alda isn't a doctor, but he played one on TV for 11 years using medical jargon most of us can't understand as Hawkeye on MASH.  Now he helps doctors and scientists  connect with the public and explain important scientific concepts by teaching them improv.  He runs The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.

3:35 Our Changing World - Alison Ballance

Researchers at the University of Canterbury hope that 'air puffs', the air flow that comes out of our mouths as we talk, could be used as an additional piece of information to help people who use mobile phones or hearing aids pick out sounds against a noisy background. Alison Ballance joins Donald Derrick in the lab to see how a ping pong ball comes into the story.

Stories from Our Changing World.

3:45 The Panel Pre-Show

What the world is talking about.  With Jesse Mulligan, Jim Mora and Zara Potts.