To the End of the World with May: Why are Kiwis searching for Venezuela, Chess and The Silmarillion right now?

Recently, a curious mix of search terms popped up on Google Trends in New Zealand. "To the End of the World with May" topped the list, closely followed by everything from Venezuela and Chess to Romeo and Juliet, The Silmarillion and Monotheism. As a media analyst, it made my eyebrows raise. What on earth does all this have to do with each other? Is it a new quiz show, a political scandal, or just another random internet phenomenon?

A TV show that pushes the boundaries

The answer turned out to be TV2's new venture, an entertainment programme so original it's almost hard to describe. Let's call it a culture and travel documentary with a twist. The host, May (which explains the first part of the search term), takes us on a journey to the end of the world – or at least to some of the most remote places. Along the way, she meets locals who challenge her with everything from geopolitical crises to intellectual games. That explains why we're suddenly Googling Venezuela (one of her stops) and Chess (she took on a grandmaster in a small village in Georgia).

From Shakespeare to Tolkien and theology

But the show doesn't stop there. In one episode, May delves into the timeless love story of Romeo and Juliet, and I have to admit, I found myself rewatching the old film afterwards. And then there's The Silmarillion. Yes, you read that right. J.R.R. Tolkien's mythological work, which even hardcore fans find heavy, suddenly became a talking point because May visited an Icelandic author who compared Norse mythology to Tolkien's universe. This naturally led to a discussion about monotheism versus polytheism, and voila – philosophy of religion was suddenly on everyone's lips.

Why it's a hit – and what we can learn from it

It's precisely this intellectual playfulness that makes To the End of the World with May a phenomenon. Viewers aren't just passively entertained; they become curious. Social media exploded with comments like "she's absolutely brilliant" (a nod to May's ability to explain complex topics) and "tropically dull telly might be better without celebs" – a critique that the show sometimes feels a bit too polished. But regardless, it sparks debate. And debate creates attention.

The commercial goldmine

Let's switch to the commercial angle. TV2 has really struck gold here. The show isn't just generating viewer numbers, but also a search term profile that's advertising gold. Think about it: if you're selling tours to Venezuela, books on chess, or theatre tickets to Romeo and Juliet, your target audience is actively searching right now. That's targeting like you've never seen. But there's a catch: the classic $250,000 prize for the winners – which we know from other shows – might not be quite what popular opinion suggests here. Rumour has it the celebrity contestants got stiffed on the prize money, or that it goes to charity. This naturally stirs debate, but it also generates attention. And in the TV industry, attention equals money. Sponsorships from book publishers, travel agencies and educational institutions are a no-brainer.

A new era for TV content

What does this say about the future of TV? In my opinion, we're witnessing a shift away from pure surface-level entertainment. Audiences are hungry for substance, for topics they can Google and discuss around the dinner table. To the End of the World with May isn't just a show; it's a gateway to learning. That's why we're seeing a spike in searches for monotheism and The Silmarillion. It's a new form of edutainment with the potential to attract sponsors like libraries, universities and cultural institutions. Imagine an online platform where viewers can dive deeper into the show's topics with exclusive content – that would be the natural business model.

Here are the elements currently driving the searches:

• Venezuela: A portrait of a country in crisis that sent viewers searching for knowledge.
• Chess: The duel between May and a grandmaster that reignited interest in the game.
• Romeo and Juliet: A modern take on Shakespeare's classic.
• The Silmarillion: When Tolkien entered the living room, and we all got curious about the origins of elves.
• Monotheism: The religious discussion that proved TV can be deep without being boring.

I'll go out on a limb and say that in a year's time, we'll see numerous copies of this format. But until then, TV2 is reaping the rewards. And as consumers, we can only be glad that television is once again daring to challenge our intellect. So next time you Google some obscure topic after watching a show, remember: you're not alone. There are plenty of us willing to go to the end of the world and back just to become a little wiser.