Season Two

The second series of The Book Show aired in late 2007 on TVOne. Once again novelist Emily Perkins and journalist Finlay Macdonald plus a panel of sometimes-famous readers delved into the world of books.

As in the first series, the half-hour show comes in three acts. In the first, Perkins is in the chaotic, taxidermy-infested studio with a panel of three bookies sitting on distressed furniture arguing the qualities of the book of the week.

In the second part of The Book Show, Finlay Macdonald is in the field, cornering New Zealand writers at their places – wherever in the country they are – for a surprisingly-indepth eight-minute interview.

And, in the final act, a New Zealand writer drops into the studio to put the case to Perkins for one of his or her favourite books.

The panelists in the second series were Marcus Lush, Dominion Post books editor Guy Somerset, script writer and Ask Your Auntie star Kath Akuhata Brown, Auckland broadcaster Wallace Chapman, poet Selina Tusitala Marsh and Wellington poet and lecturer Anna Jackson.

Writers featured on the series include Rachael King, Vincent O’Sullivan, Neil Cross, Chad Taylor, CK Stead, Douglas Wright, Bub Bridger, Stacy Gregg and Anne Salmond.

And The Book Show’s memorable theme music, it can now be revealed, is especially written and played by alt-rock star and long-time member of The Clean, David Kilgour.

Guests featured in the first series include Joy Cowley, Lloyd Jones, Kevin Ireland, Tze Ming Mok, Sarah-Kate Lynch, Laura Hill, Marcus Lush, Kerry Fox, CK Stead and David Eggleton.

The Book Show – a lot more than a show about books.

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