King to Newsboy: You #@&%

By BRIDGET CARTER

An abusive, profanity-filled telephone message from comedian Mike King to a television rival has been played to thousands via the internet, prompting intervention by TVNZ.

The message was directed at Jeremy Wells, aka Newsboy, the star of the TV2 comedy show Eating Media Lunch, and came after his show featured a satire of King.

A cartoon featuring a bored-looking dog watching The Mike King Tonight comedy show, which also screens on TV2, implied that the comedian was not funny.

After the cartoon screened on Tuesday night, King left the message on the cellphone of Lee Baker, a writer on Eating Media Lunch and a former writer for King.

King asked for the message to be passed on to Wells.

Last night King defended the comments, saying it was a joke "I know Jeremy Wells. He is a fine and talented up-and-comer. I've spoken to Jeremy, and he's cool."

Radio station bFM emailed the message to 24,000 of its listeners.

Sources say that Eating Media Lunch staff believed the message was a threat from a comedian who obviously could not take a joke himself.

Last night, TVNZ publicity manager Michele Camilleri said the makers of both shows would be spoken to about the message.

The Herald understands that TVNZ will also investigate how the recording went to bFM.

One source said the idea for the King satire came from the cartoonists for the dog item. Wells and Baker had nothing to do with it.

King's message

This is a message for your little wee @$%-ed up friend. He is @$%-ing with the wrong person. You @$%-ing better listen to this too you little @$% sucking @$%!, you have @$%-ed with the wrong person you @$%-ing jumped up little @$% head. Call me back if you've got the @$%-ing balls.