Double Booking
New Zealand 1997
Role: Neville
Company: South Pacific Pictures
Director: Mark Beesley
Writer: James Griffin
Duration: 30 minutes
Other Cast: Kevin Smith, Theresa Healey (as Jane Chandler), Geoffrey Dolan (as Murray), Peter Elliott (as Henry), Ana Samways (as Celia)
Summary: "Double Booking was a one-off comedy about a bloke, Brett (Kevin Smith), reluctantly celebrating his stag night, and a woman, Jane (Theresa Healey) who is less than happy at her hen's party. When the titular double booking occurs their paths collide. Brett and Jane are star-struck at the Ocean Moon restaurant; wedding days are threatened and much ado occurs. The cast is a virtual Gloss reunion. It was made as a comedy pilot for TVNZ. A series didn't ensue, but it won James Griffin a Best Comedy Script gong at the 1999 NZ Film and TV Awards." (
NZOnScreen)
Info: Mark was one of the guests at the stag night, calling the stripper. // The show won "Best Script, Comedy at the 1999 TV Guide Television Awards". // Ana Samways, who was in this pilot, too, wrote something about it in her blog: "A decade ago I was cast as a bitter divorcee in a TV comedy pilot called Double Booking, written by Outrageous Fortune’s Jame Griffin (not his best work) and starring Carmen from Shortland Street and the beautiful, sadly deceased Kevin Smith. I had to act drunk and snog Mark Fergusson. Now good old NZ on Screen has dredged up my failed acting career for all to see. So for any of you who’d like a laugh at my expense (and my mannish haircut) click here. (Whiz through and look out for the cougar animal print)." (She's the one hitting Mark and then argueing with him).
Links:
NZOnScreen: Short Video Segment of the pilot, with Mark in it (in green) //
Author James Griffin about the show pilot
Contact Mark