In an age before Rogernomics, well before The Office, there was the afternoon tea fund, Golden Kiwi, and four o’clock closing: welcome to the early 80s world of the New Zealand Public Service. Gliding On (1981 - 1985) was the first locally-made sitcom to become a bona-fide classic. Inspired by Roger Hall’s hit play Glide Time, the award-winning series satirised a paper-pushing working life familiar to many Kiwis. This episode features Beryl’s non-smoking campaign, Jim’s efforts to kick the habit, office sexual innuendo and a much-debated fire drill. “Morning Jim!”
Included in the Labour Day Collection - October 2009
Gliding On was turned down twice by TV. One of the times it was turned down was because it was ”too radio”. It was “too radio” because it had by that stage been a radio series, and when TV asked for storylines I ...
80s, management, earthquake, government, workers, public service, workplace politics, office, sitcom, sexism