This week in our New Zealand Screen History series, we are looking at the work of the late, William James Te Wehi Taitoko - better known by his stage name Billy T James.
He started in the Maori Volcanics show band in the 70's with Prince Tui Teka, and became a a household name in the 1980's thanks to his sketch show, The Billy T James Show which ran for 7 series.
He died of heart failure in 1991. But his legacy lives on in the form of the Billy T award for up and coming comedians.
To look back on making The Billy T James Jesse speaks to Billy's former co-star and co-writer, Peter Rowley.
He also chats with Maori comedian Jamaine Ross about how to frame his comedy about race in 2021.
