good_girl

I am all for supporting locally made TV shows and will always watch new shows that come out of New Zealand, just to give them a chance. I recorded the first episode of The GC, but didn't watch it when it was on. The following day, every conversation was about how awful the show was, but I decided to watch it anyway, just to form my own opinion.

Awful is an understatement.

These guys are arrogant, uneducated narcissists with very few redeeming features. They make the Jersey Shore cast look classy and lovable. It is humiliating to think that people are watching this, thinking that all Maori are like them. It is a mortifying representation of Maori, New Zealanders in general and the Gold Coast. It will only add to the stereotypes that Maori have been fighting to leave behind for decades.

Aside from the general unlikeability of the cast, the thing that drove me crazy the most was how scripted it was. They were bad actors reading off a bad script. There was not a single scene that seemed like they were actually having a real conversation or showing any authentic part of their lives. I have seen primary school plays with more convincing actors.

It is unfortunate that NZ On Air thought that it would be a good idea to fund such a travesty, especially when there are some great NZ shows out there that could use the money much more efficiently.

I only watched the first episode (and only just got through it!) and will not be tuning in again. Based on all of the comments I have heard or read, it doesn't sound like they will have the ratings to continue - which is a small mercy!