Bain doco powerful stuff

TV Times

OPINION: This week, we had yet another reminder of the power - and the futility - of television. On Tuesday at 9.30pm on TV One, we were given another glimpse of Bryan Bruce, the Investigator - The Case Against Robin Bain. It was hyped for weeks before it screened and generated discussion up and down the country on one of our most controversial murder cases. It was credible, well researched and raised some interesting points. As such, it rated a preview on the 6pm news on One and, afterwards, extensive front- page coverage in the country's biggest daily newspaper.

So TV One reacted as it does best: with a futile follow-up on Close Up on Wednesday night that did the programme a disservice. Just what would it take to actually break the mould of the three eight-minute segments? Certainly not the special investigation the network carried the night before. Oh no. It just had to go on to the next two segments, which included a free plug for cricketer Brendan McCullum's book. Mind you, it wasn't that long ago that Close Up did find a cause worthy of prolonged coverage - so important that they also bumped Prime Minister John Key. Yep, we're talking former All Black Robin Brooke and his tear-sodden apology to the teenaged girl whose bum he'd groped. But that was an exclusive, and that seems to be far more important these days than any news value. Or was it a case of the current affairs programme taking the word "affair" too literally?

But with Robin Bain's closest living relatives squaring off against David Bain's lawyer Michael Reed, this could have been pure gold and screamed out for the whole half hour. What a waste. Can you imagine the network giving an All Black test match post-mortem fewer than 10 minutes in total? Hardly. The case Bruce built in his documentary was compelling, though. Mrs Brown, who all along has been convinced of David's guilt (mainly because of the funny jersey he was wearing when taken in by police), lapped it up, with a series of I-told-you- so's. Bruce is a skilled storyteller and comes across well because of his laid-back, understated style. Generally, he builds his case patiently and the most outrageous comments he uttered were: "I have to say I find this very difficult to believe," and "I must admit I find it strange." Much better than the over- the-top Americans on Crime & Investigation channel on Sky.

There were some disturbing shots of the victims and the crime scenes, but personally I found the only time we both had to turn away was when there was a close-up of him having a needle inserted in his arm to draw blood to recreate a particular scene.

I wonder how many other people wince and close their eyes when presented with the image of a needle going into a vein?

I have to admit Mrs B has tougher skin than I.

At the end of it all, Bruce looks at us in the eye and makes his point:

"We should remember that while David got a fair trial, Robin didn't."

Powerful stuff.

Just who is responsible for Sky TV's silly ads these days? The woman who is about to give birth and rambles on about Jack from the Titanic film is only bettered by the blithering idiot who ambles through the supermarket aisles muttering while being plastered in food. Both are masterpieces in cringing advertisements that cause the hand to change channels on the remote quicker than a politician reaches for the ministerial credit card.

What a good host Martin Devlin (no relation to Johnny) has been in presenting the Soccer World Cup coverage.

His relaxed, informative and insightful manner make him a natural and, hopefully, it will be a welcome reminder to TVNZ bosses that they do have a major talent on their hands and to give him a job so we see far more of him. After all, it's not as though they are overloaded with talent in the sports department.

What a hoot watching the stunned State of Origin rugby league teams and crowd before the Australian rugby league match on Wednesday night. They stood there and watched as the Aboriginal version of Advance Australia Fair, complete with didgeridoo, was belted out before the more familiar English version was performed. The Aussies are finally catching up with us and South Africa, but you can't help but wonder if the various anthems in all their guises will soon be lasting longer than the games.

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