Should Kim Dotcom host Close Up?

Kim Dotcom has been suggested as a replacement for Mark Sainsbury on Close Up. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A chat show hosted by Kim Dotcom and re-runs of M*A*S*H have been mooted by Herald readers as replacements for TV One's soon-to-be-defunct current affairs show Close Up.

Mark Sainsbury was yesterday given his marching orders by TVNZ and drastic changes were proposed for the 7pm weekday slot that has been filled by Close Up since 2004.

"Everyone on the show is aware that traditional current affairs formats are losing favour with audiences," said TVNZ head of news and current affairs Ross Dagan. "... the company's view is that this format has simply run its course."

Dagan said they wanted to "reinvent" the show, with Sainsbury reportedly set to leave TVNZ on November 30 with the new show to launch in the new year.

Herald readers wrote in droves to make suggestions for potential hosts, ranging from Maggie Barry and Kim Hill to Susan Wood and Mike Hosking.

Even controversial Megaupload found Kim Dotcom got a few nods.

"You guys are missing the obvious. The Kim Dotcom show. He's entertaining and already has a huge media presence, huge personality, huge body and huge following among the pirate fraternity," said 'Gondwana' from South Auckland.

"His first guests could be the FBI, the GCSB, the police (not the band) etc. He could rapto them and at the end of the show their could be free downloads of all his raps. And my personal favourite: He could bring his rhino onto the set!"

'David' from Rotorua suggested TV One poach TV3's Rachel Smalley as she's "easily the best TV interviewer in the country," and there was plenty of love for a return of Paul Henry, currently presenting an ailing breakfast TV show in Australia.

"Paul Henry is the obvious choice," said Whanganui's 'Dave Hill'. "(He's) relaxed, confident and at ease with himself. Love him or hate him he has the 'X' factor."

There were plenty of joke suggestions too.

"They used to play M*A*S*H at that time every week night. Bring M*A*S*H back, it was good, worth another viewing," said 'FMax'.

"Michael Laws and Hone Hawera could co-host a show. They could get John Banks, Sue Bradford and John Minto to go out in the field for stories," said a commentator who called himself 'Q'.

Gordie suggested that "we need a reality cooking competition or a singing talent quest, there are so few of these on TV at the moment".

And 'Clever Nickname' suggested this virtual fireplace could make a decent half-hour show every night.

Make your own suggestions for a replacement here.

- nzherald.co.nz