Read Rachel Glucina's blog about Andy Shaw's criticism of Jane Bowron
Read what the Herald's reviewer thought of Go Girls
A top Television NZ executive has been formally reprimanded for publicly insulting a reviewer who did not like the network's new show Go Girls.
Andy Shaw, general manager of commissioning, production and acquisitions, made derogatory comments about a reviewer at the launch of another locally made show, Diplomatic Immunity, last week.
Sources at the launch told the Herald Mr Shaw made comments about reviewer Jane Bowron's appearance after she slated Go Girls as "painfully embarrassing to watch".
In a review published in the Dominion Post, Ms Bowron said the show about four North Shore friends was "so awful it made [another local comedy] Burying Brian look good".
Ms Bowron said she received an email apologising for the comments after the Herald began making inquiries yesterday afternoon.
In his email, Mr Shaw said he expected Ms Bowron had heard the "gory details" of what he said, and that the comments did not reflect his real view of her or the Dominion Post.
Herald on Sunday columnist Rachel Glucina reported that Mr Shaw called the Wellington newspaper "just a waste of good s*** paper".
Speaking through TVNZ spokeswoman Megan Richards, Mr Shaw said of his speech: "I was playing it for laughs and it got out of hand. I've sincerely apologised to Jane and practically everyone I can think of."
Ms Bowron said Mr Shaw needed to "man up" over criticism of the show.
Ms Richards said Mr Shaw was a funny man and an entertaining speaker who was passionately committed to television.
"But unfortunately on this occasion you would have to say that his passion outstripped both his humour and, I would say, his wisdom. He went too far and he said things that were inappropriate and totally unacceptable."
The Herald understands Mr Shaw joked when he made the comments that they could cost him his job.
His predecessor as TVNZ commissioning manager, Tony Holden, stepped down in 2007 after making offensive remarks at an industry awards event.
Ms Richards would not comment last night on Mr Shaw's employment prospects, other than to say he had been formally reprimanded.
