Television: Winners get the spoils, losers the footpath

But The Black Trio couldn't make the final three. Photo/File

It would have been great to see Wanganui group The Black Trio in the season final of New Zealand's Got Talent on Sunday.

I saw two of the group busking in Victoria Ave on Saturday, bowing in thanks to the regular thumbs-ups and the coins dropped in their guitar case from passers-by.

Sorry boys, but them's the breaks. I was proud of you and good on you for getting in there and having a go.

The final was a smart night for Kiwi talent, and as much as I thought "you good thing, go" for winner Renee Maurice, I always wonder with talent shows if that final tally of public votes would actually match the judges' wrap-up.

Unlike most other competitions, television talent shows rely on public votes, even though there may have been weeks of judges' comments and personal selections.

But at least in NZ's Got Talent, we have those highlights of judge Rachel Hunter weeping about how incredible and talented absolutely EVERYONE is.

The thing about the final was that only the final three - singers Renee Maurice and Jenny Mitchell, and dance duo Silhouette were announced. Nothing about the 10 finalists at all.

Three days later, current affairs caught my eye. Even though Campbell Live on Wednesday wasn't a big night for the show, they always ensure there are stories from throughout New Zealand which can be pondered by us all.

Who is the Cardrona bra thief? was a story with a poignant twist.

The famous farm fence draped with bras on the Crown Range Rd, about 15 minutes out of Wanaka, has been hanging with these female undies amid controversy, delighted laughter and scathing derision, for about 14 years now.

But someone has been swiping the bras and no one can fathom why.

Why would they even care or want to? Surely it's not another sign of hard times forcing some people to nick free chest supports?

The fence had become a favourite memorial site for some - families having tenderly hung grandmas', mums', aunties' and even daughters' lacey lingerie after their loved one's death. Some of these bras were there because their owner had requested it; others because the family thought it was a fitting tribute.

Another story on Campbell reminded us that, with Christmas nearly here, some of us were better off than others. Well nothing new in that really, but this had shots of a Christchurch young mum with a very young baby and toddler trying to keep a brave face as she and her husband faced yet another eviction from their home.

First the earthquakes, then a building next door crashing and causing asbestos to sift into their house. And the last straw - black mould was sprouting in the walls.

But the woman patting her baby's head and cuddling her toddler said she wasn't really moaning because really their life was good, mostly.

"But I would love to finally unpack one of our boxes," she said.

Not sharp, powerful news stories with that gasping "wow" factor but definitely stories about us and ours with a decided warmth factor.