Interview with Phil Keoghan
Phil Keoghan hosts the TV2 show N.O.W - No Opportunity Wasted.
The concept is fairly simple: You have 72 hours and a limited budget to do something you've always dreamed of doing.
"We're encouraging people to get off their asses and go and do things they've been procrastinating about for far too long," says Keoghan.
"One of the things that we really want to encourage people to do is to come with ideas that are totally unique and original and have never been done."
In other words we're not talking your average skydive or bungy jump.
"I had a guy last night for instance who thought it would be a good idea to get their Lazy-Boys and put engines on them and race them from Auckland to Invercargill. I think that's a great idea."
Some of the dreams on the American version of the show included diving with sharks, making an action movie, living the life of a Go Go dancer and staging a secret wedding. The options are endless.
Keoghan recalls one memorable episode based around a Jewish
rapper. "He wanted to prove to his mother that he could rap his way
to righteousness. His goal in the 72 hours was to try and get
himself a record deal...he was sick to death of his mother telling
him that he should be anything other than a rapper."
He's hoping for some fairly crazy schemes from the New Zealanders
who audition.
Keoghan believes most people are not happy with their lot in life, and their excuses are always lack of time and money. His show sets out to prove you can still achieve extraordinary things with limited time and money.
"It's about thinking up great opportunities rather than paying for great opportunities."
He got the idea for the N.O.W TV series after appearing on The Oprah Winfrey show. Keoghan had spent a lot of time doing crazy things and facing his own fears, and he realised the message was something that could be quite powerful and helpful to others.
Auditions for the New Zealand series will be taking place all over the country.
Keoghan says it doesn't matter whether people do an impromptu audition or arrive with fully-fleshed-out ideas. "People shouldn't be scared to turn up. We're looking for personalities, first and foremost."
