| Starring: | Deane Waretini Andrei Frolov Orlando Stewart |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Num Seasons: | 1 |
| Num Episodes: | 7 |
| Runtime: | approx. 26 minutes |
| Company: | Scottie Productions (2012) |
| Network: | Māori Television |
Now is the Hour is a mockumentary television series starring New Zealand singer Deane Waretini who had a #1 hit with The Bridge in 1981.
In the series, Dean Waretini is a 65 year old taxi driver.[1] The seven part[2] comedy series, which is about Waretini, is a blurring of fact and fiction. Besides Waretini, it also features Orlando, the manager from Wayne Anderson - Singer of Songs, and a former Russian nuclear physicist. In a short review of the show, Paul Casserly of The New Zealand Herald said that sometimes it was hard to tell what was fact and what was fiction.[3] It has a "road trip" theme to it. Along for the ride is Raewyn-Anne who is the founder of his fan club of 16 strong.[4] The series follows Waretini as he moves around from Christchurch to where he started off in Rotorua with him hoping to re start his career with Orlando Stewart organizing his venues.[5] Frolov has a job to get Waretini info physical shape while Waretini tries to teach him his song.[6] One of the episodes features Deane and Andrei recording a song.[7]
The story was penned by New Zealand writer and comedian Orlando Stewart.[8] The show consists of 7 episodes running at 26 minutes each.[9] It made its debut on Maori Television on 10.00pm on Friday, August 31, 2012.[10]
Andrei Frolov is a member of the Russian Cultural Centre Trust in Christchurch.[11]
| Episode no | Air date | Brief description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode One | 31/08/12 | Waretini looking to re-launch his career teams up with Russian immigrant Andrei Frolov. | |
| Episode Two | 07/09/12 | Beginning of Waretini's comeback quest, and time to leave Christchurch | |
| Episode Three | 14/09/12 | Two gigs and 250 km to travel. Promoter feeling the pinch. Is disaster around the corner? | |
| Episode Four | 21/09/12 | Fitness workout including some boxing and singing for the Salvation Army. | |
| Episode Five | 28/09/12 | Waretini and Frolov record a new song. | |
| Episode Six | 05/10/12 | Will his gig for the troops in Waiouru happen? | |
| Episode Seven | 12/10/12 | Waretini finally meets his promoter Orlando. The comeback show could be a disaster | [13] |