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!”
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 ...
Please keep your comments relevant to this title. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.
Brings back Memories, I remember watching this as a teenager.
I would love to, if I could -- get broadcast rights for the show for Canada.
So much NZ TV programming has not been seen in Canada, it would be very new.
I am totally shocked this never ran on the US PBS net nor Canada's CBC net. From my understanding of overall Commonwealth TV history, this show should be run in parallel with "Yes, Minister" ...
No computers! OK not the best example of what people did at their desks in the paper days, but quite striking to see an office without them.
Browse ScreenTalk Forums › More in depth discussion about titles and other hot topics.
Television, 1996 (Full Length Episode)
A history of NZ during the Gliding On era
Finalist - Most
Outstanding Website
The ONYAs 2010
Best Entertainment Website
Finalist – Website design
Qantas Media Awards 2009
NZ ON SCREEN 2010
This website has been made with funding from NZ ON AIR ›
Anton
Posted at 01.44AM - 11.02.2010
So cool! I hope TVNZ releases all the episodes on DVD one day!