Infamous and awkward - NZ's top TV moments named (+videos)

Thingee's eye pops out during an episode of The Son of a Gunn Show.

What do Thingee, David Tua and Chloe from Wainuiomata all have in common?

They, along with Paul Holmes' infamous first interview with Dennis Conner and the Goodnight Kiwi's end-of-the-night sign-off, have all been included in a list of New Zealand's most legendary television moments.

Compiled by NZ on Screen, the list includes 17 of the biggest, best and most embarrassingly awkward moments from New Zealand's television history.

The selections include Thingee's eye popping out during an episode of The Son of a Gunn Show in the early '90s, David Tua's hilarious appearance on The Wheel of Fortune in which he requested an "o for awesome", and the Heartland episode that made a star of squeaky-voiced singer Chloe Reeves from Wainuiomata.

Other inclusions are the "always blow on the pie" incident on Police Ten/7, TV reporter Rod Vaughan filing a news story with a blood nose after an altercation with Bob Jones in 1985, Shortland Street's first episode in 1992, and Entertainment This Week host Leeza Gibbons and Coronation Street star Christopher Quinten locking lips during the 1987 Telethon.

There are also several excruciatingly embarrassing moments, like the first episode of short-lived "comedy" show Melody Rules starring Belinda Todd, sports news presenter Grahame Thorne's 1983 perm, and the disastrous 1987 Gofta Awards with the hosts sporting what appeared to be space suits.

Read nzherald.co.nz blogger Paul Casserly's introduction to the awards here, and check out the full list and watch all the videos here or check out a selection below.

Police Ten 7: Always blow on the pie:

Heartland meets Chloe from Wainuiomata:

John Campbell's 'Corngate' interview with Helen Clark:

Episode one of Melody Rules: Going, Going ... Goner

- Herald online