Lucky Dip hits the road – and new heights
LUCKY Dip has charmed Kiwi audiences with its low-budget, No 8-wire style gaming and down-to-earth humour since its debut 18 months ago. Now it has upped its credentials as the modern-day answer to It’s In the Bag by breaking out of the Auckland studio.
The resulting Lucky Dip on the Road retains the charming combination of easy quiz-meetsDouble Dare and The Cube, while showcasing Aotearoa’s smaller communities
(everywhere from O¯ taki to
O¯ hope and Kaiko¯ ura to Kaitā ia).
Each episode features a tour of key sights and a little history about that evening’s setting, with hosts Luke Bird and Marcia Hopa showing their willingness to get out and about.
That approach feels appropriate, especially since they’re asking contestants to potentially make a fool of themselves – not only on national television, but also in front of their whā nau. As well as showcasing their general knowledge, those competing are expected to demonstrate a co-ordination, which could come in the form of stuffing balloons down a pair of elasticated pants, or what’s best described as variations on beer pong.
Answering two questions earns the right to dip into the barrel for a prize, but they’ll only earn it, by completing a challenge. Don’t like what you’ve won? Then you can have another dip. But you’ll only win that via a second task.
That format does lead to the show’s only real disappointment – sometimes as few as two people get a shot at televised glory each week – but that’s a minor quibble because the prizes included are the top draws of a ute and hā ngi cooker, crowd-pleasing booby prizes, or practical things like family trips, sleeping bags, outdoor heaters and supermarket vouchers.
Most contestants appear happy to take home anything, although Taumarunui’s Tania was determined to get ‘‘some thing really cool – not the drill-set my partner wants me to win’’. A worker at the local iSite, she was a hoot, clad in what she described as the town’s ‘‘smart causal’’ attire of a monochrome tracksuit. Initially, she appeared to be joking – then the next three competitors all walked on stage wearing the same thing, albeit in different hues. But before you think Kiwis in small towns dress the same – don’t fret, it’s short and singlets a-go-go in Hā wera next week.
For all the participants’ efforts though, Lucky Dip On the Road’s secret sauce remains its hosts. While Hopa is a hoot with her deadpan assessments of the potential prizes, glittering, luminous host Bird is a whirligig of emotions and enthusiasm.
Between his whispered asides, stream-ofconsciousness banter and boundless encouragement (which even includes some underhand assistance), the trained opera singer and former Sidewalk Karaoke host ensures there’s never a dull moment on this fast-paced 30-minutes of full-on fun.
Lucky Dip on the Road 8pm, Sundays, Whakaata Mā ori. Episodes are also available to stream on maoritelevision.com.