Te Radar in Hamilton
Story by Tony Stevens. Posted On: Monday, 26 April 2010
Television personality and comedian Te Radar has been mauled by a baby scorpion, married in a suit of armour, and roughed it in a paddock as a self-sustaining hermit.
But now he faces his sternest challenge - appearing as the guest speaker at a lunch in his honour in Hamilton.
Te Radar is the star attraction at the first Media Bites event of 2010 staged by Wintec’s School of Media Arts.
Since its inception in 2004, Media Bites has brought high-profile media figures to Hamilton to talk about aspects of their career. Past speakers include Campbell Live host John Campbell, and National Radio’s Morning Report co-presenter, Sean Plunkett.
As well as invited guests from the Waikato community, Wintec journalism students will attend next week’s lunch - and have the opportunity to probe the comedian about his eccentric career.
Born Andrew Lumsden, the comedian and self-described “opinionist” prefers his stage name Te Radar.
Though if you ask him he might admit that his ultimate ambition is to be known simply as “Te”. He says, “One day I’ll drop Radar off the end and just be ‘Te’ - nice and simple. Just like Diana and Prince and Madonna.”
His latest television series, Radar’s Patch (TV One, Sunday nights at 7pm), follows the comedian as he tries to live an eco-friendly lifestyle at his urban whare in Grey Lynn, Auckland.
The show is a sequel to last year’s top-rating series Off the Radar, when he lived on a paddock for 10 months in an attempt to prove to television audiences that sustainable living is possible and a riot at the same time.
His giggle-factor has also taken him to distant shores - and deserts.
In 2007 he was attacked by a baby scorpion while filming an episode of Intrepid Journeys in Mali. He stoically described the ordeal as a necessary part of “the complete desert experience”.
His unique brand of comedy has landed Te Radar with a list of awards as long as his orange-peel sideburns.
They include the 2009 Fred Award for Comedy Achievement, and the prestigious Billy T award for Comedy Excellence in 1998.
His audience at the upcoming Media Events can expect insight and laughter. Following his guest talk, the floor is open for questions - when Wintec’s journalism students may find out why he married a cross-dressing Māori Television presenter clad in silver armour.
Media Bites, an invitation-only event, will be hosted at the Ferrybank Reception Centre next Tuesday May 4 2010.