Open Door - Alzheimers
This episode of Open Door gives insight into the lives of a diverse group of families affected by Alzheimers disease. The programme explores how each of the families deal with their unique situation and face up to the different challenges the disease presents as it develops, examining the hardships and positive times.
Mercury Lane - Series One, Episode 13
This 2001 Mercury Lane episode is based around pieces on author Maurice Shadbolt, and OMC producer Alan Jansson. With Shadbolt ailing from Alzheimer’s, Michelle Bracey surveys his life as an “unauthorised author” (Shadbolt would die in 2004). Next Colin Hogg reveals Jansson as the “invisible pop star” behind OMC hit ‘How Bizarre’ and more. The show is bookended by readings from Kiwi poets: Hone Tuwhare riffs on Miles Davis, Fleur Adcock reads the saucy Bed and Breakfast, and Alistair Te Ariki Campbell mourns a brother who fought for the Māori Battalion.
Barbara Magner
Barbara Magner won many fans when she brought her lively, personable style to 60s era magazine show Town and Around. Born in the Waikato, Magner began her broadcasting career on state radio, then in the 60s moved into continuity announcing on television. Further television gigs followed into the 70s. Magner passed away on 12 July 2014, at the age of 77.
Keith Lambert
Keith Lambert was born in England. He moved to New Zealand in 1986 and established Morningside Productions to make television commercials. A passionate believer that minority groups in the community should have a voice, he created Open Door in 1993. At the heart of the series was his belief that the participants should have editorial control. He produced and directed another seven series, until his death in 2007.