Career
Billy T James self-titled television show for TVNZ featured sketch comedy and live performances of standup comedy and songs. The show lasted six series and became a New Zealand institution. Joining Billy in the first season were regulars Doug Aston and Laurie Dee. The second season saw the introduction of a parody of the Maori news show Te Karere entitled Te News. The black singlet and yellow towel Billy wore in these sketches were to become iconic. The fifth and sixth series were co-written by Peter Rowley and included parodies of Miami Vice, Playschool, a 'Lands For Bags' television commercial and sketches featuring Rowley as Captain Cook.
Later Billy starred in a second television show also titled The Billy T James Show. It screened on TV3 and was based on a format devised by Billy and Tom Parkinson. Abandoning the popular sketch comedy format, this show was a family sitcom format and effectively starred Billy as himself. Co-starring were Ilona Rodgers and Mark Hadlow, with Mark Wright, Tania Wehi and Willa O'Neill. It ran for one season with only average audience ratings and reviews.
