As far as Jason Gunn is concerned, when life is good, it’s cause for celebration.
And right now, with happy kids, multiple TV and radio projects, a successful production studio and good health, the much-loved TV personality is celebrating up a storm – in fact, he’s never been happier.
“It’s such an exciting time!” Jason (47) enthuses to the Weekly. Indeed, he’s so busy, we’re yarning in between breaks of his More FM radio show, and as soon as he’s back on-air with co-host and best mate Lana Searle, he quickly hangs up the phone, before dialling in again to continue our chat.
Life has been a balancing act of late, Jason admits. As well as his daily radio responsibilities, he’s just returned to Kiwi TV screens after a seven-year absence as the host of TV2 show You’re Back in the Room and he’s also pursuing some (still top-secret) acting opportunities.
Oh, and of course there’s the family – stepdaughters Eva (26) and Grace Palmer (21), and his two children he shares with his lovely wife Janine, Faith (18) and Louis (13).
“It’s been lovely, everything’s just worked out,” he tells.
“And it’s been great having my face back in front of a camera again! It’s been really good to get back up there after a little self-doubt, I’ll admit. I’ve been having so much fun!”
As the host of You’re Back in the Room, Jason’s on hand as professional hypnotist Peter Powers hypnotises ordinary Kiwis in front of a live audience. While he admits to being a little freaked out by hypnotism – he himself has never been under – he now has no doubts that hypnotism is real.
“I’m absolutely 100% convinced,” he tells.
“There’s a woman on the first episode, you’ll see, who is the quietest person, but she was told to be extra-overly sarcastic. And boy, oh boy, she didn’t hold back! I couldn’t stop laughing.”
But while he was keen to take part in the show, Jason wanted to make sure that no-one was made to look like a fool and he believes he and the team have got the tone spot on.
“You have to look after these people – imagine getting hypnotised on telly!” he exclaims. “It’s about laughing with them, not at them. Good clean fun, that’s the trick.”
But he does admit his radio gig with Lana, who in only two years has quickly become his best friend, is his dream job.
“I haven’t loved a job like this in such a long time. Lana is amazing,” Jason tells, before quickly adding, “It’s worth noting, she’s in earshot! ”No, seriously, she makes coming to work each day so incredible.”
Though the pair have had rotten luck recently when it’s come to their health this year. Lana, as she told the Weekly earlier this year, almost died after enduring blood clots and seven blood transfusions, while Jason suffered a broken back after falling out of a wheelie bin while trying to stomp the rubbish down.
Thankfully, he’s made a full recovery, save for a few twinges every now and then. “It’s just always the first thing to give way when you’re doing something strenuous,” he says.
“It’s definitely been a year of it! But I tell you what, I’ve never been more grateful for my health. I was sitting around the dinner table with the kids the other night, and said, ‘I’ve never felt more grateful for my life.’”
His children are his greatest source of pride – Grace is currently starring in Shortland Street as Lucy, Eve is a presenter on The Adam and Eve Show, Faith has just finished an onstage production of Hairspray and Louis is turning into quite the little rugby player.
“Some are on screen, some aren’t, but we’re so, so incredibly proud of them,” he says warmly. “It’s about how they are, not who they are.”
But a slightly sarcastic Jason reckons all his children are “just lovely” when it comes to reminding him he’s still just their dad! And as for getting hypnotised himself?
Well, he’s still not sure about that – and he’s even got a plan to get the heat off himself. “Just between you and me,” he says in a whisper, “I’m totally going to make Lana do it!”
