THE ZB RADIOGRAM

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 7, 11 August 1939, Page 46

THE ZB RADIOGRAM

| 1ZB

PIANO TIME With Ossie Cheeseman Mon. and Wed. 9.30 p.m.

2ZB

HOUSES IN OUR STREET Mon, Wed., Fri. 11 a.m.

3ZB

HAWAIIAN REFLECTIONS Wednesdays 10 a.m.

4ZB

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS? Tues. and Thurs. 8.45 p.m.

2ZA

| WANT A DIVORCE Mon. and Wed, 8.45 p.m.

HE story of snowbound ‘Dunedin now passed into radio history; it only remains to be observed that 4ZB certainly lived up to the reputation for public service which animates the entire Commercial Broadcasting Service, And gladly do we pay tribute to the efficient and cheerful coOperation rendered to 4ZB by the staff of our sister service, the NBS. It’s Nicer to Stay in Bed Who'd be an early morning announcer anyway? During the recent cold spell, as you snuggled under the blankets between 5 and 6 a.m., did you spare a thought for the lads who, sharp at 6 a.m., send out bright morning greetings, and the control operators, who switch on all their beloved gadgets at 5.30 a.m.? What beats us is how they can be so cheerful! One of them actually told us that it was great fun! Au Revoir to Alec 2ZB listeners will miss the cheery voice of Alec Regan, whose familiar triplicate "Hello" precedes his weekly film session. Alec is off to Australia at the end of the month to accept a business appointment. And with him goes the good wishes of those who have enjoyed his sessions. Happy landing, Alec!

Humour For All It is possible that you have listened to your ZB Station at mid-day, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. If so, you will have heard, and no doubt been amused and entertained by " Komedy Kingdom." Following CBS policy of broadcasting, a feature on the hour, every hour, all ZB Stations bring to listeners at noon this melange of song, humour, and friendly advice. Humour is more often than not defined as being a kind of national thing: that is, humour can be classed according to the country in which it originates, Sometimes, however, where the artists are really a little talented and the production astutely managed, humour can satisfy an international audience. So it is with this American feature "Komedy Kingdom." The Average Man It is often claimed by those who make a criticism of the ZB programmes, and indeed of all radio programmes, that the only way to cater for the entertainment tastes of any community is to study the

wants of the average man, The latter, however, is probably the most elusive person since the "Scarlet Pimpernel," and those who would measure the success of any programme by the appreciation of "Mr, Average Man" would do well to remember the analysis by the McGill University Statistician, who discovered that this important gentleman owns ninetenths of a car, has stolen seventeen shillings, has two and _ three-sevenths wives, three and a-quarter children, lives eight miles out in the Atlantic Ocean, and knows only one hundred words, Nice Old Dears It is not merely the quality of their humour, it is not entirely their fascinating habit of speech or their dry manner, but there is something in the Cockney characters of Mrs. ’Olmes and Mrs. Hentwhistle that has a most piquant appeal. Perhaps it is the workaday philosophy,

the homely touch in their conversation, and indeed in all their deductions concerning their environment, the world in general, and their neighbours in _particular, which makes these two eccentric old dears worth listening to. Mrs. ’Olmes and Mrs. Hentwhistle have been friends for thirty years or more, and it: would appear that during that time neither worry nor misfortune nor prosperity has managed to change either one of them. You will hear them from the ZB Stations on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,

at 1 p.m., and for dry humour and wit you will find it hard to discover their equals. "Mrs. ’Olmes and Mrs. Hentwhistle" are recommended to anybody with a keen sense of humour and an appreciation of all that is human, whether it be faults or excellences, as well as to anybody who can appreciate Cockney wit at its trenchant best. " Cavalcade of Drama " A new feature of the "Cavalcade of Drama" series will begin at all ZB Stations next Sunday, August 13. Here are the titles: — Station 1ZB, "Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots"; 2ZB, "The Man Who Was Named Parnell"; 3ZB, " Johann Strauss, King of Three-quarter Time"; 4ZB, "The Case of Edgar Allan Poe Versus the People"; 2ZA, "Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France." Nine p.m. is the time of all these features, which are additional to " Wuthering Heights," another splendid feature of the same series broadcast by ZB Stations at 7,23 p.m. on Sundays,

Change of Time Listeners who have been following the ZB feature "Lawrence of Arabia," are reminded that it is now broadcast at 7.15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays instead of at 6.30 p.m., at which time a new feature "Famous Escapes" is broadcast. Dancing Late 1ZB has been causing rather much favourable comment with its Saturday night dance programme presentation from 10.30 p.m. to 1 am. (Sunday), which is the Station’s new late hour closing time for the entertainment of Saturday nighters. Each Saturday, from 10.30 p.m. to midnight, a popular band is featured as coming from a cabaret. Featured bands have been the Australian Jim Davidson's, the A.B.C. Dance Band, Billy Cotton’s Band, and the Casino Royal Orchestra. At 11 o’clock a surprise item is introduced, One of these, a recording of "On Behalf of the Working Class," with the English comedian Billy Russell, is still causing talk among listeners. The hour from 12 to 1 am. is taken up with "sweet music," which has a particular appeal to those who like their rhythm quiet.