Home and Away stars among celebs joining Telethon

It’s been 15 years since New Zealand has last experienced the entertainment, suspense and amusement of a Telethon. Now TV3 in association with KidsCan is bringing this Kiwi favourite back to our screens when the Big Night In, Telethon 09 begins its 23-hour run on Saturday, August 8th at 7pm on 3.

Starting at 7pm on Saturday, August 8th, the Big Night In will be bringing back the traditional Telethon favourites such as the crazy dares and phone bank; however the 2009 Telethon will feature a few differences which will be unique to Big Night In.

“It will be a Telethon for the 21st century,” reveals Big Night In Producer Nigel Godfrey. “Many of the attractions of the Telethon of the 80s would no longer hold a television audience.”

“The contents of previous Telethons were often based around hearing how people had raise money, this time round raising money buys the viewer a ticket to 23 hours of the very best in entertainment television!”

Bringing viewers this entertainment will be; “every TV3 personality you can imagine will be involved, plus were possible we are bringing some faces from the past,” says Godfrey.

Along with the TV3 personalities, Godfrey reveals audiences should also prepare themselves for performances by some of New Zealand’s biggest names including; Gin Wigmore, Opshop, Frankie Stevens, The Ladykillers, Lady 6, Anika Moa, Che-Fu and many more.

“Of course Telethon has always been known for international personalities,” Godfrey continues. “This time around we wanted our internationals to at least have a link with New Zealand and so we are delighted that Alan Dale, Martin Henderson and Karl Urban are all coming down.”
“Anna Hutchison is also tripping back across the Tasman, and our Australian cousins Bernard Curry and Ada Nicodemou from Home and Away are coming over.”

With its local and international line-up, the Big Night In will also feature pledges especially designed for the 21 century audience.

“This Telethon will see viewers able to donate in more ways then ever before, via the internet, credit cards, phone lines and texting. Not only will viewers phone in but this time the celebrities will phone out,” says Godfrey.

Make sure not to miss a minute of this when the Big Night In Telethon 09 begins its 23-hour run on Saturday, August 8th at 7pm on 3.