It’s better to be an ice queen than a beach bunny

“It’s better to be an ice queen than a beach bunny”

That’s the moot for The Great Comedy Debate at the Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival. A massive sell-out success last year, this year’s debate is guaranteed to offer hilarity and ribald arguments.

Chairman, TV1’s Simon Dallow will be the calming influence on the two teams of three celebrities as they argue the merits of a winter sports holiday versus relaxing on the beach. Rebecca Hobbs, Kerre Woodham and Marcus Lush are for sun, sand and slurpies while those in favour of mountains and snow are Craig Parker, Ginette McDonald and Mark Ferguson.

As late night host on Newstalk ZB, Kerre Woodham is used to all manner of discussions and definitely has the gift of the gab. She’s also appeared on Ready Steady Cook and Fair Go. Her co-debater, Rebecca Hobbs is perhaps best known for her role on Shortland Street. Since then she’s been treading the boards in Auckland and has become a force to be reckoned with on the debate circuit. Marcus Lush is known throughout the country for his skills as a talkback host. He now fronts Foveaux FM’s breakfast show and is guaranteed to keep the pace of the debate fast and furious.

Mark Ferguson is known for his roles on Shortland Street and Xena Warrior Princess but more recently he’s been a PR Guru on the TV One production of Spin Doctors. He also won a coveted role in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings as did his team-mate, Craig Parker who was well known for his long stint on Shortland Street before moving onto Young Hercules. Ginette McDonald whips her crew into shape on Ground Force with a few well-placed comments but she is of course renowned for her Lyn of Tawa character.

Debate organiser, Bettina Hollings who produced the TV3 special on the Winter Festival last year, is thrilled the debate is back. “It was such as huge success last year – the feedback we had was fantastic. We were cramming people in the aisles and this year’s teams promise to be just entertaining; they are all renowned for their quick wit and humour.”