Livingstone Productions hopes to know by the end of this month whether it has received funding for a ninth series of Queer Nation in 2004. The world's longest running gay lifestyle programme was recognised at the New Zealand Television Awards this year with an award for Best Factual Programme, but it has not been an easy year for the show. Livingstone Productions sacked presenter Jonathan Marshall and researcher/director David Herkt in May after they pursued TVNZ Breakfast host Mike Hosking for paparazzi pictures they could sell to womens' magazines. Herkt described the adventures in detail and commented on "internal" Livingstone matters on the internet. Marshall announced a few weeks later that he would be taking legal action against the company for wrongful dismissal. Forced to swiftly find replacements for two key positions, Livingstone Productions then found itself subject to inquiries from NZ On Air over its accounting practices, after a tabloid website founded by Herkt and Marshall alleged it had paid $40,000 to an Auckland dance party organiser for a lost videotape.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 20th October 2003 - 12:00pm