TV3's new current affairs show Story made its debut last night going up against TV1's Seven Sharp.
Media commentator Gavin Ellis told Nine to Noon the programme had, on the whole, made a strong start.
Story, hosted by Duncan Garner and Heather du Plessis-Allan, replaced the long-running Campbell Live programme which was broadcast for the last time on 29 May after 10 years on air.
Duncan Garner and Heather du Plessis-Allan. Photo: TV3
Former host of Campbell Live, John Campbell, has now joined Radio New Zealand to present a proposed multi-media, drive-time news and current affairs programme which will replace the existing Checkpoint programme.
Ellis said his first impression of Story was that it "hit the spot".
Gavin Ellis Photo: SUPPLIED
"This was serious current affairs; and there were strong elements of holding power to account that I thought augured well," he said.
And people were worried that @TheStoryNZ wouldn’t do hard news stories…
— Matthew (@matthewjpb) August 10, 2015
Ellis praised Story's opening segment on Auckland real estate agents selling properties quickly before auction, in conflict with their clients' interests.
"I have to say that under persistent questioning by Heather du Plessis-Allan he [chief executive of Ray White] looked a little like a possum in the headlights."
He also felt Garner's interview with Corrections Commissioner Jeremy Lightfoot was effective.
"It was persistent questioning, not taking flanneling for an answer. I thought that both of them acquitted themselves quite well, but not to the point where the questioning became irritating."
Ellis said there was a "good chemistry" between the hosts with Garner playing the "straight guy" to Du Plessis-Allan's "mischievous humour."
"For a first outing I thought it was pretty good."
He said TV3's challenge now was to maintain the standard set in the first programme and attract dedicated viewers.
"Whether it will rescue TV3's ratings, and boy they need that, remains to be seen."
Excellent interviewing, but some quite emotive and potentially misleading language from @TheStoryNZ last night; not bad by TV3 standards.
— Jesse Mara (@_JesseMara) August 10, 2015
@TheStoryNZ not impressed. The stories were zzzz it's like a watered down #CampbellLive with less credentials. Where's the reo?
— Matt Matahaere (@EssDotBlack) August 10, 2015
