I don’t know what is about movie stars, but every time I meet one, I just can’t help myself.

It was always a terrible problem when I lived in the U.S. I’d go to a movie publicity event – known in the news business as a junket – and after waiting patiently for an hour or two for my four minutes with Russell Crowe or Hugh Jackman or Jennifer Lawrence, I’d go into the room for interview number fifty-six of the day, right after Polish morning TV and Slovenian Red Carpet Reports, and I’d flirt.

Sometimes it was just shameless. I’d be throwing wise-cracks around and laughing like a muppet, making all sorts of weird facial expressions. And I’d always try and charm the stars by pretending to play it cool.

‘I know you hate this.’ I’d say.

‘I know everyone asks you the same questions.’

‘My challenge to you, Jessica Chastain, is to try and slip the word Octopus into our conversation.”

It wasn’t until I got back in the office and reviewed the tapes that I’d realise.

My producer would pull the interview up on screen and ask.

‘What are you... doing?’

‘Are you.. are you flirting?’

“Umm.. no...!”

The problem was, I genuinely wasn’t aware of it in the moment. All I was aware of was this was a big star and I had about a commercial break’s worth of time to try and win them over and elicit something more interesting than the Ecuadorian showbiz reporter who’d gone in before me.

I plumbed some lowly depths. I gushed to Anne Hathaway about her singing voice and tried to impress Rihanna with my knowledge of the T20 Cricket World Cup, which was underway at the time.

We used to get emails about it all the time, at TVNZ. Mike Hosking would tease me on air.

‘Was Jack Tame just flirting with People Magazine’s sexiest person alive?’

It should be said, my A-list flirting was not limited to the fairer sex. Maybe I don’t bat my eyelids quite as much, but I still revert into wise-cracking Jack when it comes to blokes.

And so I found myself a few days ago, waiting my turn for a couple of minutes with Jason Momoa.

He was friendly, with the studio entourage you’d expect of a Hollywood A-lister. And of course, as a Hawaiian, he’s got a special affinity for New Zealand. The interview went well, but for some bizarre reason, as I shook his hand and stood up to leave, I felt compelled to speak up and charm him. I don’t know what it was but the words just spilled out of my mouth.

‘Of course, there’s one big difference between Hawaii and New Zealand.’ I said.

‘What’s that?’ he asked.

‘Hawaii doesn’t have seagulls.”

Everyone paused. The room when quiet.

“Huh.” Said Jason Momoa.

I said I was a flirt. I didn’t say I was a GOOD FLIRT.