The GC explained

Genre:Reality TelevisionDocumentary
Creator:Bailey Mackey
Starring:
  • Tylah Jones Wharehinga
  • Rosanna Arkle
  • Zane Houia
  • Elyse Minhinnick (DJ Tuini)
  • Alby Waititi
  • Cole Smith
  • Nuz Ngatai
  • Matai Smith
  • Holly Subritzky
  • Matatia Brell
  • Braydon Mcmahon
Narrated:
  • Tame Noema
  • Season 1-2
  • Tylah Jones Wharehinga
  • Season 3
Opentheme:"Vibrations" by Jade Louise featuring Savage[1]
Country:New Zealand
Language:English, Maori
Num Seasons:3
Num Episodes:24
Executive Producer:Bailey Mackey
Location:Gold Coast, Australia
Camera:Multi-camera
Runtime:30 minutes (including commercials)
Company:Eyeworks Touchdown

The GC is a New Zealand reality television series that premiered on TV3 on 2 May 2012 in New Zealand. The series follows the lives of a group of Māori living in Gold Coast, Queensland.

The series has been compared to the American reality show The Hills.[2]

Production

The show was originally pitched as an observational documentary series called Golden Mozzies, described as "looking at seven Māori families living on Australia's Gold Coast". In August 2011, the producers of Golden Mozzies received $419,408 from broadcast funding agency NZ On Air for the production of eight 30 minute episodes. However, the format and title of the series was changed with NZ On Air's knowledge.[3]

In 2013, a second season of The GC was funded by Maori broadcast funding agency Te Māngai Pāho with stricter requirements for Maori language and cultural content. $419,384 was granted for eight 30 minute episodes.[4]

In 2015, it was announced via the shows Facebook page that the show was renewed for a third season, along with new cast members and the show being moved to Four.

The third season premiered in July 2015.[5]

Cast

The show revolves around Tylah Jones Wharehinga, Rosanna Arkle, Zane Houia, Elyse Minhinnick, Braydon McMahon, Holly Subritzky, Cole Smith, Alby Waititi, Nuz Ngatai, Matai Smith, and Matatia Brell. Former cast members include Tame Noema, Jade Louise, Jessie Nugent, Nathan Waikato, Brooke James, and Jade Ruwhiu.

Main

NameSeasons
123
Elyse Minhinnick (DJ Tuini)colspan="3"
Rosanna "Rosie" Arcklecolspan="3"
Zane Houiacolspan="3"
Alby Waititicolspan="3"
Jade Louise HarawiraRecurring
Tame Noemacolspan="1"
Nathan Waikatocolspan="1"
Brooke Jamescolspan="1"
Jade Ruwhiucolspan="1"
Jessie NugentGuest
Cole SmithRecurringcolspan="2"
Ngahere "Nuz" NgataiRecurringcolspan="1"
Matai SmithGuestcolspan="1"
Holly Subritzkycolspan="1"
Matatiacolspan="1"
Braydoncolspan="1"
Tylahcolspan="1"
Layla SubritzkyRecurring

Critical reception

Following the screening of the pilot episode viewers branded the show as "fake" and "pathetic" and within hours a Facebook page called "Cancel the GC TV Show" was started.[6] According to a New Zealand Herald article the Facebook page had over 2100 "likes" within 12 hours of the show's airing.

There have also been questions about the show's funding. Following the screening of the pilot episode it was revealed that NZ on Air gave NZ$419,408 to fund the first series of The GC. According to news website Scoop Independent News, NZ on Air thought they were funding a series about seven Māori families living on the Gold Coast of Australia with the working title Golden Mozzies.[7] The same website published a press release from NZ on Air in August 2011 outlining that NZ on Air had approved funding for Golden Mozzies, which was then labeled as a documentary series.[8]

Episodes

Series one

No.TitleRatingsTime-shifted ratingsOriginal air date

References

  1. Web site: Jade Louise Releases Her Debut Single Featuring Savage.
  2. News: TV review: Reality bites on The GC. 2012-05-03. New Zealand Herald. 2017-02-18. en-NZ. 1170-0777.
  3. Web site: TV Documentaries for 2012. NZ On Air. 6 April 2013.
  4. News: Series rua for The GC. NZ Herald. 6 April 2013. 4 April 2013.
  5. Web site: The GC. m.facebook.com. 2017-02-18.
  6. News: Viewers want 'The GC' cancelled. New Zealand Herald. 3 May 2012. 8 May 2012.
  7. Web site: Storm About To Blow Up Over Gold Coast. Scoop Independent News. 3 May 2012. 8 May 2012.
  8. Web site: Something For Everyone: Strong TV Documentaries for 2012. Scoop Independent News. 11 August 2011. 8 May 2012.