Wanna-Ben
Encyclopedia
WANNA-BEn is a comedy show, themed each week on a different celebrity and their achievements. The series is hosted by kiwi entertainer Ben Boyce, former co-host of Pulp Sport
, Ben Boyce is looking for a new job. However, rather than looking for a boring, everyday desk job, he looks for one that is cool and exciting, like a rock star, millionaire, or fashion icon. Ben is a Wanna Be.
Series 1 of WANNA BEn celebrity contributors included, Action Movie Star - Steven Seagal, Spice Girl - Mel B, Pop sensation - Ke$ha, Rock legends - Alice Cooper and Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, Hustler founder - Larry Flynt, Hip Hop stars Flava Flav and Vanilla Ice, The Nanny - Fran Drescher and skateboarding legend - Tony Hawk.
Each episode features a mix of reality and scripted comedy and features many TV styles - interviews, skits, songs, animation and experiments with the public .
Wanna-Ben's animated segments and titles are by Auckland based animation studio Mukpuddy Animation who's credits include Sparkle Friends
for TV2's What Now
and Lanky Lampton: A Silly Idea for TV2's Studio 2 LIVE. Mukpuddy Animation is made up of Ryan Cooper, Tim Evans and Alex Leighton.
Wanna-Ben was directed by Andy Robinson, who also worked with Ben on sports comedy television show Pulp Sport.
Series 2 of Wanna-Ben is scheduled for late 2011.
On 17 September 2011, the filming of a skit for the second season caused a large-scale security scare at Auckland Airport. An actor dressed as a pilot tried to access airside at the domestic terminal though one of the gates, saying he left his security pass on the plane. Six people, including Ben Boyce, were subsequently arrested for breaching the Civil Aviation Act.
TV reviewer Chris Philpott of stuff.co.nz
said "there's a lot to like about the show" and it "benefits from the comedy style of related show Pulp Sport
". He also complimented "Ben's fearless interviewing". Some week's later he also said Wanna-Ben was part of the "best night of TV" on any channel.
Wanna-Ben has also been picked up by Network Ten in Australia.
Pulp Sport
Pulp Sport was a TV show filmed in New Zealand, that mixes sport with various styles of comedy. The hosts Jamie Linehan and Ben Boyce act under their respective pseudonyms Bill and Ben, performing a half hour of various sports based skits...
, Ben Boyce is looking for a new job. However, rather than looking for a boring, everyday desk job, he looks for one that is cool and exciting, like a rock star, millionaire, or fashion icon. Ben is a Wanna Be.
Format
Each episode of “WANNA BEn” sees Ben interview different international celebrities that are at the top of his new chosen career path, turning the spotlight on the celebrities achievements and the various steps they’ve taken on their road to success. Back home in New Zealand, armed with the sage words of his celebrity mentor, Ben then attempts to emulate their road to success in his own misguided fashion. Ultimately Ben discovers that his road to a new career and attempting to emulate his new idol is full of pain and embarrassment.Series 1 of WANNA BEn celebrity contributors included, Action Movie Star - Steven Seagal, Spice Girl - Mel B, Pop sensation - Ke$ha, Rock legends - Alice Cooper and Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, Hustler founder - Larry Flynt, Hip Hop stars Flava Flav and Vanilla Ice, The Nanny - Fran Drescher and skateboarding legend - Tony Hawk.
Each episode features a mix of reality and scripted comedy and features many TV styles - interviews, skits, songs, animation and experiments with the public .
Wanna-Ben's animated segments and titles are by Auckland based animation studio Mukpuddy Animation who's credits include Sparkle Friends
Sparkle Friends
Sparkle Friends was an animated series produced for New Zealand's long running children's show, What Now?. The series stars the What Now presenters as children and also a magical creature named Gun-gi who vomits a green liquid which makes the presenters have super powers...
for TV2's What Now
What Now
What Now is a long running New Zealand children's television program that premiered in 1981. It is filmed before a live studio audience at Whitebait Productions in Christchurch....
and Lanky Lampton: A Silly Idea for TV2's Studio 2 LIVE. Mukpuddy Animation is made up of Ryan Cooper, Tim Evans and Alex Leighton.
Wanna-Ben was directed by Andy Robinson, who also worked with Ben on sports comedy television show Pulp Sport.
Series 2 of Wanna-Ben is scheduled for late 2011.
On 17 September 2011, the filming of a skit for the second season caused a large-scale security scare at Auckland Airport. An actor dressed as a pilot tried to access airside at the domestic terminal though one of the gates, saying he left his security pass on the plane. Six people, including Ben Boyce, were subsequently arrested for breaching the Civil Aviation Act.
Reception
Wanna-Ben became one of TV3's top rating shows, usually winning its time slot. The highest rating episodes were Episode 3 and 4 with a 33.4% and a 33.2% audience share in TV3's key target demo of people aged 18-49.TV reviewer Chris Philpott of stuff.co.nz
Stuff.co.nz
Stuff.co.nz is a New Zealand news website owned and operated by Fairfax New Zealand, a subsidiary of the Australian company Fairfax Media. Stuff hosts the websites for Fairfax's New Zealand newspapers, including the country's second and third highest circulation daily newspapers The Dominion Post...
said "there's a lot to like about the show" and it "benefits from the comedy style of related show Pulp Sport
Pulp Sport
Pulp Sport was a TV show filmed in New Zealand, that mixes sport with various styles of comedy. The hosts Jamie Linehan and Ben Boyce act under their respective pseudonyms Bill and Ben, performing a half hour of various sports based skits...
". He also complimented "Ben's fearless interviewing". Some week's later he also said Wanna-Ben was part of the "best night of TV" on any channel.
Wanna-Ben has also been picked up by Network Ten in Australia.
Season 1
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Specials
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