By LOUISA CLEAVE
It's time to have a laugh about the state of New Zealand.
The depression which has settled over the land following a dismal Olympic showing, the so-called brain-drain and rising inflation is about to be offset by the TV3 Great Comedy Debate.
The question "Do we live in the greatest little country in the world?" will have Bill Ralston, Pam Corkery and playwright Oscar Kightley on the affirmative. Craig Parker, Anna Kennedy (TV3's Target) and Ginette McDonald argue the grass is greener around the globe.
The debate will be held at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna on November 9 and screen on TV3 later in the year.
Producer Bettina Hollings, a former television programmer, said the subject was chosen before the Olympics but has recently come into stronger focus.
"The people on the affirmative team see it as slightly more of a challenge."
The format had been "freshened up" to move it forward and make it more popular and involving for the audience, Hollings said.
"[Debate] is a wonderful part of the information genre.
"I think its real genius is that it expands our thinking while popularising sometimes quite difficult subjects."
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