Kumars interrupt Morgan's garden shed TV show

Maori television has pulled Tuku Morgan's garden shed interview show until the British producers of The Kumars at No 42, are satisfied it is not a copy of their format.

The show, Matua Whangai, has twice been dropped because of concerns raised by London-based Hat Trick Productions, which makes the Kumars.

Maori Television Service spokeswoman Sonya Haggie said yesterday that Hat Trick had raised concerns after it read a New Zealand newspaper article comparing its show and Matua Whangai.

"What Hat Trick need to do is have a look at a tape of Matua Whangai and decide for themselves whether or it infringes on their format," Ms Haggie said.

"As far as we're concerned they need to substantiate their concerns, and they haven't seen the show yet."

In the Kumars, host Sanjeev Bhaskar interviews celebrity guests in a studio at his parent's house while his family interrupts.

In Matua Whangai, host former New Zealand First MP Tau Henare interviews guests in a studio in his and Morgan's mother-in-law's garden shed while Morgan's nephew plays guitar and makes comments.

Ms Haggie said Hat Trick had been told the show would be taken off air for two weeks, but when it did not respond within that time, the show had been broadcast again.

But Hat Trick advised last week it had yet to see a tape, so the show was pulled again.

Ms Haggie said Mr Morgan's production company was responsible for finding out if its show infringed copyright.

A new tape of the show had been sent to Hat Trick.

- NZPA