It's in the Bag

It's in the Bag was a long-running New Zealand radio and, later, television game show. The show began on radio in the 1950s and was hosted and directed by Selwyn Toogood. In the 1970s a television version of the show was developed which was also hosted by Toogood until his retirement in the 1980s. After his retirement, John Hawkesby took over hosting duties. The show was discontinued in 1990 but returned for a final season in 1992 now hosted by Nick Tansley

Several of Toogood's catch phrases from this show entered the kiwi vernacular, including "by hokey!", "what should she do, New Zealand?" and "the money or the bag?"

The hostesses of the show also became popular celebrities. The hostess' role was to introduce the contestants and announce and fetch the prizes. Hostess of the last part of the radio era and first television hostess was Heather Eggleton. Other hostesses of the television era included Teneke Stephenson and Hilary Timmins.