The Spinoff’s Alex Casey and Duncan Greive are joined by freelance writer and critic Dominic Corry to discuss the first three episodes of ‘Empire’, a new show centering around an ‘urban’ music label’s dynastic tensions. It’s become an enormous hit in the US, thanks to a mixture of excellent casting, boldly soapy style and a … Read more
Jane Yee, Duncan Greive and Alex Casey foxtrot reluctantly back into the podcasting arena with their recap of the first week of Dancing With the Stars NZ 2015. We walked into this with clear eyes and full hearts, knowing it was a terrible idea. But if it was bad enough for MediaWorks, then it was bad enough for … Read more
With the final episode of Campbell Live airing tonight on TV3, we have set up a tribute page for friends, colleagues, fans and driving dogs to post their messages and favourite memories for JC and the team. This post will be updated regularly throughout the course of the day, the rest of the weekend, and … Read more
Alex and Duncan give in to the manic soft-focus charm of Days of Our Lives, and urge you to get involved in the sprawling sordid soap. Days of Our Lives is one of the world’s longest-running soap operas, laden with love triangles, random resurrections and drenched in alcohol. We sat down and tried to make … Read more
In the final Group Think for X Factor NZ 2015, the Spinoff writers assemble one last time to express their frustrations, pitch future projects and remember the good times many KillsMoons ago. Jack Riddell on Advice for Beau Shot Beau, na, straight up g, you were fuckin’ sik and way better than Stevie Tonks. Thanks to … Read more
In a rare Spinoff competition, we want you to take Lightbox into the real world on your mobile devices. Show us the most fitting location to watch your favourite show, and you could win a fancy Samsung Galaxy S6. Lightbox has rolled out a plethora of new devices on which you can watch your favourite … Read more
The brave final three Nic Sampson, Joseph Moore and Eli Mathewson dissect the finale of X Factor NZ, and celebrate the triumphs of beatboxing Beau. Topics covered include the darker message behind Beau’s winning single, how the series has changed them and their facial hair, and how the X Factor is like global warming. Looking towards … Read more
One winner. The same three losers. The final episode of The Fantasy Suite, featuring Jane Yee, Alex Casey, Duncan Greive and a special guest – only the winning Bachelorette MATILDA RICE. We have reached the end of The Bachelor journey, and celebrate accordingly with no Lindauer, no baking and no real plan. Matilda helps us … Read more
The huge ring has been given out, the fluorescent lights have been dialed up to 11 and Mike Puru has sunken into his enormous studded chair. It’s time for the After the Final Rose special of The Bachelor NZ. Jane Yee, Alex Casey and Duncan Greive pop a Lindauer and chat about the somewhat disappointing … Read more
After a week of Mother’s Day tunes, number one hits and Bachelor cameos, our think tank meets again to discuss week 13 on X Factor NZ. Robyn Gallagher on The Vibesmums I can’t help feel ripped off that Steve Broad was eliminated the week before the Mother’s Day show. If he’d been around this week, he’d … Read more
As The Bachelor NZ contestants have been whittled down, so too have our Group Think contributors. In the final instalment, Art and Matilda’s wedding is envisaged and a brand new, very old, conspiracy is unearthed. Melanie Bracewell on The Rural Maid Matilda won! But I’ve done a little research that might shock you all. I was … Read more
We celebrate the end of our quest for Forever Love with a Forever Podcast. Jane Yee, Alex Casey and Duncan Greive finally get their long-sought after Lindauer sponsorship, and drank it watching a landmark television event: the end of New Zealand’s first ever Bachelor franchise. It promised much and delivered more, from bad bottom animals … Read more
The brave Spinoff knights meet at the television roundtable to discuss week 12 on X Factor NZ, including Steve’s real age, Shelton’s fake hat and Stan’s copycat tears. Robyn Gallagher on the Charity Single Remember the charity single? It was released only three weeks ago, but a very a strange thing is happening in the … Read more
Jane Yee, Alex Casey and Duncan Greive gather again to the Fantasy Suite to discuss the hometown visits week of the Bachelor NZ, and farewell the wonderful Poppy, farted her way into our hearts all those weeks ago. We discuss Alysha’s big straddle, Dani’s doorway pash and Matilda’s adorable old dad Ken. It’s an emotional … Read more
We tackle the decathalon of emotions that was Bruce Jenner’s heroic 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer. Jane Yee and Alex Casey are joined by Kardashian fanatic Sacha Moore to chat about Bruce’s revelatory announcement that the gold medal-winning athlete is transitioning into a woman at the age of 65. We discuss his ripped athletic history, … Read more
The weary few remaining Spinoff knights meet at the television roundtable to discuss week 11 on X Factor NZ Talia Smith on Milky Bar Broad I have finally decided who Steve Broad/Bored is and I am bloody happy because this mystery has been plaguing me for weeks. He is the grown up version of the … Read more
Joseph Moore and Melanie Bracewell try to talk positively about yet another week of this bloody show. We discuss throwing Steve in the garbage bin, potential winners’ singles, and how this show isn’t The Avengers and we wish we were watching The Avengers. Listen below or grab it from iTunes or wherever good podcasts aren’t … Read more
In week six of The Bachelor NZ, some of the greatest minds in the country assemble to talk about Art’s dreamy leathers, school teacher woes and pure pash champions. Joanna Hunkin’s Alliterative Ode to The Bachelor Times are getting tough for Billy Big Balls. His weasel words may woo the weaker women but Caustic Chrystal … Read more
Jane Yee, Alex Casey and Duncan Greive recap week six on the #TFSPod, returning to the sunny BOP to watch Art and his merry mistresses fly helicopters and planes, row boats and catch fish, and pash like animals. We start to get a bit too deep this week, talking directly to the Bachelorettes, and Art’s … Read more
The Spinoff knights meet at the television roundtable to talk week 10 on X Factor NZ. Topics include opportunities for cross-promotion, Israel Dagg’s music video debut and a general sense of apathy. Renee Church on The Blatt-Chelorette We can’t deny it anymore. Mel Blatt is a straight babe, and all males in association with the show (who would be/are in … Read more
After another baffling elimination, After The Factor turns to more important discussion: Do fish eat other fish? Will Stan and Dom ever play sqaush? Is Nic allowed to be mad if he doesn’t even vote? What was Chris Mac doing on a boat with Joe Cotton? Will Natasha’s evil plans for Dom come true? How does … Read more
In an all-new Bachelor group think, the Spinoff knights meet at the television roundtable to discuss dreaming of Art, praying for Mike and where the love story all began. Paul Williams on the Origins of The Bachelor A lot of people think The Bachelor franchise began in 2002 with season one of the American show. These people … Read more
After three long weeks the original gang is back together. Alex is back from Melbourne and Duncan back from dinner with his mum, while Jane’s busily raising her babies, as always. We drank a bottle of Lindauer Fraise – not our favourite – and ate a lot of lollies, then talked about this week’s Bachelor … Read more
A DOUBLE elimination this week! Joe and Finlay are gone! And with them go all the things we thought we knew about this show and what it stood for. Where are we going? Why are we here? Why can’t we just let Mae Valley win? Former The Wireless X Factor commentator Matthew McAuley and Tumblr … Read more
The Spinoff knights meet at the television roundtable to discuss week nine on X Factor NZ, featuring the shock elimination of Finlay and Joe. Calum Henderson on 50 Shades of Broad I love the Invercargill sexyman Steve Broad. I love his damp charisma, his done-in confidence, the fact that X Factor is the third(!) reality singing show he has … Read more
With Alex battling to complete her power rankings ahead of a trip to Melbourne, Duncan and Jane had a one-on-one in The Fantasy Suite (not like that) to discuss the week’s Bachelor NZ action. Topics covered include a week of not kissing, Natalie’s failure to launch and the dramatic showdown between Alyssa and Chrystal. All … Read more
The Spinoff knights meet at the television roundtable to discuss week eight on X Factor NZ: One Hit Wonder edition.// Robyn Gallagher on Pleasing the Older Woman In week two, the show theme was “Biggest Records Right Now” and Twitter was filled with 30-somethings having existential crises because they didn’t recognise any of the music. It’s been easier since, … Read more
This week Sarah Spicer went home to her family. But what now? We must continue on. Forever on. But there’s is a ray of light in the tunnel in the form of Paul Williams’ love for Lili Bayliss. Will true love win through? Or at least make this show more fun to watch? Find out … Read more
The Paul Henry Show landed this morning at 6am on TV, online and on the radio. Duncan Greive and Alex Casey dissect TV3’s new multi-platform experience. // The Host: After delightedly pressing the button, much like a kid allowed to honk a horn, Paul Henry’s sting “you can run, but you can’t hide – this … Read more