Taika Waititi took the stage in all his blue-suited glory - and made people laugh.
But the actor, director, all-round funnyman and host says TV3's coverage of the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards wasn't an accurate representation of the evening.
He used Facebook and Twitter today to share his views on the content, beamed into living rooms throughout the country via a live feed on Thursday.
At one point he even suggests the show should not be televised because, "nothing translates".
"On behalf of @TV3nz I apologise for screening only 60% of the show and cutting out the best bits, including the constant audience laughter," he wrote.
Waititi established his angst at the backlash he received from couch critics on social media, where people loaded negative comments about his hosting abilities.
Waititi said the problem was not with him, but the "invisible" crowd at home, who got a watered down, out-of-context version of events.
"Just to clarify, it wasn't a tough crowd and I didn't find it difficult. I was an amazing MC, it was a great gig, and the mission went as planned - to inject some life and energy into that boring, safe, tired old s**t," he said.
"Sorry but what you see at home is not what is actually happening in the room. I'm not an idiot and I actually know what I'm doing.
"I know when to give more or pull back and my job is to work with the audience in front of me - who LOVED IT."
Many of those who did attend the awards evening were quick to come to his defence, agreeing the issue was with production.
There were more than a handful who labelled him "hilarious" and the "best host" the show has ever seen.
Kiwi songstress Anika Moa and television personality David Farrier were among those to speak out.
- nzherald.co.nz