Happy Hour - First Episode

Happy Hour evokes the spirit of old Kiwi light entertainment shows featuring Māori entertainers like Billy T James, Prince Tui Teka and Howard Morrison. Presenters Temuera Morrison, Keisha Castle-Hughes and Thane Kirby compere a live show combining music, comedy and special guests. House band The Modern Māori Quartet perform several songs, and invite Annie Crummer onstage for a surprising cover of "New Zealand's best karaoke song": 'For Today'. Morrison introduces a new soap starring his legendary character Dr Ropata, and Miriama McDowell and Cohen Holloway feature in a sketch about warring gang members.

Howard Morrison's son, Howard Jr, gave me his shoes after uncle died and I decided to wear them in his honour. While I was on the stage, I felt Uncle Howard's spirit was there with me. I found myself thinking of him and realising, this isn't easy. Perhaps I should have watched him a little closer.

– Presenter Temuera Morrison on hosting variety show Happy Hour for Māori Television, Stuff, 2 September 2014

Key Cast & Crew

Maaka Pohatu

Member of Māori Modern Quartet, Pinga the gang member, Ronaldo

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Presenter

Mitchell Hawkes

Director - Studio

Kiel McNaughton

Director - Sketches

Matariki Whatarau

Member of Māori Modern Quartet, various roles

Temuera Morrison

Presenter, As: Dr Ropata, various roles