Since the show aired, NZ On Air has been forced to defend the decision to fund the show, which has been given $420,000 for eight episodes.
A spokeswoman for NZ On Air said last week that it had been advised by the broadcaster that the cultural aspect of the programme, which according to TV3 was viewed by 42 per cent of Maori New Zealanders watching television, would develop in coming weeks.
She also said: "The GC was funded with the aim of showing positive, confident Maori in prime time on a commercial channel."
Despite the controversy around the show there were several posts on Facebook and Twitter which called for a longer programme time.
The Herald asked three viewers to critique the second episode of The GC. Here are their responses.
Russell Baillie, Herald Entertainment Editor
Say this for the cast of The GC: two episodes down and it looks as if they are getting with the programme. They are slowly learning the true skills of a fly-on-the-wall reality show participant. That is, how to sustain a meaningless conversation with your fellow talent so we know What Happens Next.
Oh, and how to work your way through the tenses in those cutaway interviews. As in, "I will be really nervous about my glamour model photoshoot/ I am really nervous about my glamour model photoshoot/ I was really nervous about my glamour model photoshoot."
Yes, those who complain that the partly New Zealand On Air-funded TV3 show has no value obviously don't appreciate the weekly displays of grammatical conjugation on offer.
The show itself, though, is still feeling strained and padded.
Sure, Jade's appointment with a local tattooist for work on his moko brought with it a touch of the Maoritanga we'd been promised - and had been on that NZOA funding application.
But it felt pretty token in a show that uses its machine-gun edits and hydraulic soundtrack to try to give some energy to lamely contrived drama.
Its bid to make a morning-after-the-night-before conflict over some broken glass at last week's flat warming, apparently because Jade and Jessi (she of the glamour model photoshoot nerves) had an argument, just showed The GC is curiously restrained.
Like, drunken fight? That's reality show gold. No footage, really? Oh well, have Rosie squawk down the phone to Jade's answerphone and play horror movie music when he sheepishly returns to survey the damage.
Poor Rosie, she also had to look surprised and embarrassed at the revelation about Alby's sexuality, and failed at both.
Otherwise, most of the episode was again dominated by the charmless resident bigmouths Tame and Nate. Tame's intro spiel sure is getting tiresome already - there should be a drinking game for every time he says, "Ain't gonna to get that in Wellington."
And Nate, looking for fame, shouldn't give up the day job just yet.
Reader's view: Taiana Silinuu
Facebook seems to have blown up with references to The GC - so I thought, why not?
Last night opened with a scene where Jade has smashed some glasses in a jealous rage, and the girlfriends at the apartment clean the mess. Straight away I'm thinking: "Okay drama."
But the real star is Tame, he just says exactly what's on his mind - and he can be so funny without knowing it. He talked about the Gold Coast girls being easy and going topless and then he said: "Well, I won't get that in Wellington!"
Nate is a wannabe rapper, totally consumed by himself. He's so cocky you kinda wish there was a girl version on the show like him.
It's an easy show to watch and it can be bloody funny. What's not to like? Buff guys and hot girls can't go wrong and Kiwis as well - gee, this could be the next Shortland Street.
Reader's view: Jenna Trelease
Last Wednesday's biggest dilemma may have been which reality show pilot to watch - The GC or E! Channel's Famous Food (and featuring Heidi Montag post-surgery, Famous Food certainly had potential). Could a bunch of unknown Kiwis in Oz be more fabulous than Heidi herself?
The first two episodes of The GC have me hooked. It could do with more of the things that make reality TV great - crying, yelling, fighting. Not a whole lot of dialogue is going on right now, but I anticipate some great stuff happening this season. Rosie and Jessi are going to be the stars.
My colleagues once gave me some advice when meeting new people: Whatever you do, don't talk about how much you like Jessica Simpson or Teen Mom.
So what's the verdict? Is it safe to mention that I watch The GC?
* What did you think of the second episode of The GC? Post your comments below:
