Wendyl Nissen on Telethon: Give us more, John

Who knew that John Campbell would morph into the new Peter Sinclair on Telethon?

Within minutes he was fantasising about a pash with Mike McRoberts, but then proved himself, as did Peter in the old days, the descriptive glue, the continual monologue, the idiot's guide to the Telethon.

You couldn't have asked for more man love.

Three 11-year-old girls had settled in for the night - mattress on the floor, chips and dip, Fanta and pyjamas. "Who's she?" they asked, unfamiliar with late-night seductress Samantha Hayes.

"She's got bad skin," they commented after an unfortunate camera angle on Gin Wigmore's skin.

"What are they on?" I interrupted after watching Oliver Driver and Sunrise sports reporter Rod Cheeseman.

"Where's the powhiri?" asked someone who shouldn't have been invited to our Big Night In because of his propensity for politically correct ideology.

"Why are there ads?" asked a very proper 11-year-old. "It's a charity night."

"Pass me the chips and dip," said my husband, an hour into it and in need of sustenance. Which was when I noticed the banquet my daughter and her friends had ready for their Telethon consumption: pizza, chips, dip, biscuits, soft drinks, sausage rolls.

"You know this is all to raise money so that kids like you can eat breakfast, have raincoats and go to school with shoes," I said, complete with pursed lips.

"Whatever," said my daughter. "I'm going to pledge $7 to get John Campbell to sing Give Me More by Britney Spears. Do you think he's up for it?"

Absolutely.

Today's highlights

Morning:

Sticky TV live from 7am to 9am, with celebrity guests including actors Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst, model Teryl-Leigh Williams-Bourke and Auckland Mayor John Banks.

Afternoon:

Tug of War between Shortland Street and Outrageous Fortune stars. All Blacks sausage sizzle cook-off.

How to get involved:

Auckland: Alinghi America's Cup Base (24 hours), 135-155 Halsey St, Viaduct Harbour

Wellington: St James Theatre (open from 9am), 77 Courtenay Place

Christchurch: Whitebait TV Studios (open from 9am), 41 Princess St

How to donate: Phone: 0800 2640 2009 or visit bignightin.co.nz.