Family Feud hits 100 episode mark
Comedian and now game show host extraordinaire Dai Henwood is ‘‘pretty proud’’ of Family Feud.
Tonight, TV3’s favourite family face-off will reach its first big milestone, with 100 episodes now firmly under its belt.
‘‘I’ve spent my whole life travelling around touring rural New Zealand, so the highlight is having rural New Zealand come to me,’’ said host Henwood.
‘‘There’s something that makes me very happy about average Kiwis on TV. The fact that I’m always surprised by what comes out of their mouths makes me very happy.’’
Along the way, Henwood has seen his fair share of celebrity allstar families face off, however believes it’s the combination of regular Kiwi families giving it a go and local stars that keep the show interesting and the TV3 viewers coming back for more.
‘‘For me, it’s nice mixing it up between the special celebrity episodes and normal Family Feud, because it’s a little something different,’’ he said.
‘‘Seven Days v Jono and Ben was a definite highlight for me. Seven Days was where I really came through on TV3, so it was nice being able to be the boss for once, Jeremy [Corbett] is always the boss. I got to call the shots, for a change.’’
Henwood has become the local funny man that’s now as recognisable for his jokes as he is for his pint-sized stature and quirky wardrobe. He says he’s easily worn around 80 different bow ties during the show’s 100 episode run.
‘‘I started wearing them a bit, then I got on to this guy who makes wooden bow ties and he sent me a wooden bow tie,’’ he said.
‘‘I wore that and got so many comments, then I thought ‘I love this’ and that sort of became my thing. I love bow ties because they’re formal, but still a bit quirky and a bit different.’’
Henwood admits he relishes the idea of being a part of something his kids ‘‘can actually watch’’.
‘‘Taking my son to kindy and talking to parents and seeing how Family Feud has really struck a chord with viewers, is great. To be honest, I love doing a show that’s not a late-night, risque, comedy show and something that my kid and his mates can watch, they love it.’’
As for his favourite celebrity guest appearances? Henwood has a few to rattle off.
‘‘Pete and Andy from The Block were very hard case, they roped in their other siblings.
‘‘But my favourite celebrity guest was Wendell Sailor. Because I’m a big rugby league fan and he’s a big rugby league legend. I’ve never met someone who is more self-confident than Wendell Sailor, in the world, or bigger or taller.’’
When asked how his own brood would fare in the ultimate trivia challenge? The comedian says, ‘‘it would be interesting, that’s for sure’’.
‘‘I’d quite like to see my parents do it,’’ he laughs. ‘‘Maybe if it was my parents and my in-laws, as one team – they’re good mates. But now that we’re actually talking about it, it’s going to happen and it’s freaking me out.’’ TV3. 5.30pm, weeknights,