Three specials of the award-winning media satire show will run over the next three weeks, turning its attention to the pursuit of power around the world.
"Everybody knows that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I'm not sure how that applies in this situation but it sounds like a good quote and makes me sound like I know what I'm talking about," says presenter Jeremy Wells.
This year, Eating Media Lunch has gone global.
In this week's episode, Wells travels to Minnesota to witness the pomp and protest at the Republican National Convention.
While John McCain and Sarah Palin preach to the converted, Wells talks to the delegates.
"It was like The Hajj of the hard right. Every Republican old and young was there to whoop and holler in the name of conservatism. Even dead Republican Presidents showed up in spirit," says Wells.
From observing religious conservatives in Minnesota, Eating Media Lunch next week looks at the King of Tonga's majestic coronation and the media who parachuted in to cover it.
Wells also discovers the truth about this much maligned monarchy, and encounters some surprise celebrity guests along the way.
Closer to home, the show will also jump on the New Zealand election campaign trail with an array of candidates and an unconventional focus group.
Wells explains, "Obviously, New Zealand is an inconsequential s***hole, but we thought we'd cover our elections out of sympathy. Also, it was a chance to rack up some more air points."
It's not so much fear and loathing as trepidation and antipathy, observes Wells.
"Many candidates, and I don't want to name names, they know who they are, simply refused to front up for EML."
Rounding off the season, Eating Media Lunch dissects the year's extraordinary events with The Most Shocking Moments of 2008 and the announcement of the coveted New Zealander of the year award.
The Eating Media Lunch election specials run at 9.45pm on Friday, November 7, 14, and 21on TV2.
