Backch@t - First Episode

Backch@t was an award-winning magazine-style arts and culture show that appealed, right from the opening acid-jazz theme tune, to a literate late-90s arts audience. Fronted by media personality Bill Ralston, these excerpts from the first episode come out guns blazing with a debate by panellists about Tania Kovats's controversial artwork 'Virgin in a Condom', the sculpture that caused national upset when it was exhibited at Te Papa in 1998. Managing to keep a panel discussion convivial rather than confrontational, Ralston handles the catholic debate with aplomb.

Did you have any idea you were going to detonate a small art nuclear bomb here in New Zealand?

– Ralston to British Council director Paul Smith

Key Cast & Crew

Gordon Harcourt

Producer

Romani Lawson

Editor

Philippa Campbell

Script Editor

Bill Ralston

Presenter

Dave Gibson

Executive Producer