Bondiplus registers the second highest audience ratings of all programmes on both local and foreign stations. Last year it was selected as the best programme in its genre by the Broadcasting Authority.

The damn thing does click, but why? “I don’t know,” says the presenter Lou Bondi with a wry smile and a shrug. “A lot of the merit should go to the programme’s team – Rachel Attard and David Zarb as well as our director PBS Ruben Zammit. And, of course, there is everyone at Where’s Everybody and at PBS to. In other words, without the plus there is no Bondi.”

Americans say that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Is this what lies at the heart of the decision to keep the same programme format. “It is a bit of an exaggeration but the saying does contain a kernel of truth. Besides, I detest attempts to portray cosmetic changes – like a new logo or the addition of a visual insert – as some major breakthrough in televised journalism.”

Rachel Attard, the assistant producer and journalist, takes the same down to earth view. We asked her what the achievements of Bondiplus are. “Calling anything we do an achievement is a bit pompous. A conscientious nurse or a patient kindergarten teacher does more for Maltese society than anything we could ever do on television. We just do what comes naturally to us, we enjoy doing it as a team and viewers seem to like watching the result. That’s about it.”

What topics is the team working on? Rachel Attard: “The first programme to be aired on 5 October will deal with the Dar Malta saga. Following a summer-long media frenzy on the issue we did the simplest thing – went on site in Brussels and got the facts on camera. We are also working on a touching human story of four Russian orphan siblings, three boys and a girl, who have found the love and support of a very generous Maltese family from Marsa. We also filmed a two-part edition in Egypt, focusing on the various religions and cultures which have thrived in this fascinating country over the millennia.”

Is there something Lou dislikes about his job? “Producing and presenting a television programme is like sitting for an exam every week for nine months. The grind does wear you down sometimes. But what I find most tiresome is the rigmarole of dealing with the pettiness, backstabbing and envy that seem to be the price you have to pay in this country for trying to doing something better.”

Bondiplus will go on air on Tuesday after the news on 5 October on TVM.

The Malta Independent will be carrying further information on each edition of Bondiplus.