Hudson & Halls

There are TV chefs who try to involve their audiences (like Martin Yan), or go for a quirkier presentation (like Jamie Oliver), but Hudson and Halls beat them all.

While the pair were able to create some great dishes, Hudson and Halls was ostensibly light entertainment. They did interact with their crew and a very limited selection of special guest stars, but from my recollection of the 1970s, they spent quite a bit of time arguing, usually humorously—though one time food was thrown in anger—with one another.

More conservative commentators might complain that Hudson and Halls lacked the decorum of Julia Child, who stood dutifully behind her kitchen; Halls and Hudson did what came naturally, even if that made life hard for heavy, fixed studio cameras.

Thinking back to 20 to 30 years, the 1970s and early 1980s—the Muldoon era—were a more politically correct time. Today, there would be a song and dance about the men being a gay couple, and weren't we doing well giving them air time? Back then, New Zealanders did not care. I don't remember their homosexuality being discussed in the media. Hudson and Halls got a prime time slot, not the late-night slots given to "openly gay" programmes (Queer Nation, The L Word) in New Zealand today.

We call ourselves a more understanding society today while politicizing every little difference in sexuality, race and religion. Hudson and Halls, as a show, is a reminder of how far we have fallen behind in tolerance. Back then, we practised it. Now, we just say we practise it.