The Spinoff’s Unnamed Comedy Festival Podcast, week one: early starts, late arrivals and why you must go Camping

We didn’t know what to do about the Comedy Festival, so convened a motley trio of know-nothing punters to talk about it. Host Alex Casey is joined by The Spinoff editor Duncan Greive and internet sensation Paul Williams to get amongst week one of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. The trio discuss the Comedy Gala, 5.30pm … Read more

The Fantasy Suite – A Bachelor NZ podcast, Week Nine: Time for a big ol’ emotional dump

There’s a new Bachelor, a new mansion, and the same old dorks talking about it. The Fantasy Suite is The Spinoff’s weekly podcast about The Bachelor NZ, hosted by Jane Yee with Alex Casey and Duncan Greive. Have a listen below, or download here on iTunes, or here on Stitcher. This week in The Fantasy … Read more

Pop on the Couch, Episode 23 – Why is Drake obsessed with butts?

The latest episode of our bi-weekly pop music chat for umusic, shot and edited by The Spinoff’s own José Barbosa. It involves two pop rookies – The Spinoff’s Alex Casey and bFM’s Joseph Harper – listening to state-of-the-art pop music and having a chat about it. Simple. This week they discuss Alessia Cara, DJ Snake, Rihanna, … Read more

The Fantasy Suite – A Bachelor NZ podcast, week eight: The bees and the knees

There’s a new Bachelor, a new mansion, and the same old dorks talking about it. The Fantasy Suite is The Spinoff’s weekly podcast about The Bachelor NZ, hosted by Jane Yee with Alex Casey and Duncan Greive. Have a listen below, or download here on iTunes, or here on Stitcher. This week sees a shock … Read more

Bachelor NZ Group Think, Week Seven: Is Jordan actually a mannequin?

After week seven on The Bachelor NZ, some of the greatest minds in the country* assemble to talk about the big issues including Jordan’s poor connecting skills, that mannequin, and life after The Bachelor. Anny Ma on Connect Four Never trust somebody who can’t play Connect Four. Never trust Beyoncé when you lose to her in Connect … Read more

Podcast: The Fantasy Suite – A Bachelor NZ podcast, week seven: do we like Jordan now?

There’s a new Bachelor, a new mansion, and the same old dorks talking about it. The Fantasy Suite is The Spinoff’s weekly podcast about The Bachelor NZ, hosted by Jane Yee with Alex Casey and Duncan Greive. Have a listen below, or download here on iTunes, or here on Stitcher. This week the #TFSPod Squad … Read more

Bachelor NZ Group Think, Week Six: How dare they not eat cheese

After week six on The Bachelor NZ, some of the greatest minds in the country* assemble to talk about the big issues including Ceri’s tragic expressions and eerie similarities with Twilight. Anny Ma on rejected cheese What kind of world do we live in where I have to watch two people walk away from a guaranteed love … Read more

Bachelor NZ Group Think, Week Five: That was actually pretty racist

After week five on The Bachelor NZ, some of the greatest minds in the country* assemble to talk about the big issues including Gabs’ nastiness, Naz’ nastiness, and Jordan’s nasty striped singlets. Madeleine Chapman on the casual racism Naz, Naz, Naz. She’s all over the internets with her hit list and her narking. Everyone wants to … Read more

Podcast: The Fantasy Suite – A Bachelor NZ podcast, week six: luaus, “Nazareth” and chambray

There’s a new Bachelor, a new mansion, and the same old dorks talking about it. The Fantasy Suite is The Spinoff’s weekly podcast about The Bachelor NZ, hosted by Jane Yee with Alex Casey and Duncan Greive. Have a listen below, or download here on iTunes, or here on Stitcher. Much to Alex and Duncan’s … Read more

Pop on the Couch, Episode 22 – Why is Mike Posner on the Inner Link?

The latest episode of our bi-weekly pop music chat for umusic, shot and edited by The Spinoff’s own José Barbosa. It involves two pop rookies – The Spinoff’s Alex Casey and bFM’s Joseph Harper – listening to state-of-the-art pop music and having a chat about it. Simple. This week they discuss loose office burritos, Mike … Read more

Podcast: The Fantasy Suite – A Bachelor NZ podcast, week five: The dark side of the Bach

There’s a new Bachelor, a new mansion, and the same old dorks talking about it. The Fantasy Suite is The Spinoff’s weekly podcast about The Bachelor NZ, hosted by Jane Yee with Alex Casey and Duncan Greive. Have a listen below, or download here on iTunes, or here on Stitcher. The Bachelor NZ things are … Read more

The Bachelor NZ Group Think, Week Four: How did they afford a luxury trip to Hawaii?

After week four on The Bachelor NZ, some of the greatest minds in the country* assemble to talk about the big issues including tribal lego bricks, big budgets and stuffed toy voodoo. Anny Ma on the big ol’ budget Firstly: Hawaii? Really? Can we refund the costs of taking the 14 gals, the one real … Read more

Podcast: The Fantasy Suite – A Bachelor NZ podcast, week 4: What has happened to our beloved show?

There’s a new Bachelor, a new mansion, and the same old dorks talking about it. The Fantasy Suite is The Spinoff’s weekly podcast about The Bachelor NZ, hosted by Jane Yee with Alex Casey and Duncan Greive. What has happened to our beloved show? Jane, Alex and Duncan open by trying to figure that out, eventually … Read more

The Bachelor NZ Group Think, Week Two: Is The Bachelor secretly a massive wine nerd?

After week two on The Bachelor NZ, some of the greatest minds in the country* assemble to talk about the big issues including the official drink of the show, Jordan’s dessert flirt and Lindsey’s paintball massacre.  Anny Ma on the holey necklace Who would’ve thought that after watching a reality show about some Kiwi lasses finding love, I’d … Read more

Podcast: The Fantasy Suite – A Bachelor NZ podcast hosted by Jane Yee, Season 2 Episode 3

There’s a new Bachelor, a new mansion, and the same old group of plonkers talking about it for far too long. It’s The Fantasy Suite, The Spinoff’s weekly podcast about The Bachelor NZ hosted by Jane Yee with Alex Casey and Duncan Greive. It’s a full spectrum Bachelor experience, containing why Naz’s hit list end … Read more

The Bachelor NZ Group Think, Week One: Veins, girl gangs and the truth about wakeboarding

After week one on The Bachelor NZ, some of the greatest minds in the country* assemble to talk about the big issues including Jordan’s expressive forehead vein and the mystery ingredients of bliss balls.  Claire Adamson on the truth about Danielle Anny Ma on the Bachelor vein Jordan is a Classic Cantab Bloke, and despite his … Read more

Podcast: The Fantasy Suite – A Bachelor NZ podcast hosted by Jane Yee, Season 2 Episode 2

Listen to the second episode of The Fantasy Suite, The Spinoff’s weekly podcast all about The Bachelor New Zealand. There’s a new Bachelor, a new mansion, and the same old group of plonkers talking about it for far too long. It’s The Fantasy Suite, The Spinoff’s weekly podcast about The Bachelor NZ hosted by Jane … Read more

A selection of butt-kicking TV moments to enjoy this International Women’s Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day, The Spinoff assembles some of the most hilarious, brave and butt-kicking moments for women on television. Contributions by Alex Casey, Madeleine Chapman and Sophie Smith.  International Women’s Day is all about celebrating the achievements of women throughout history, and looking forward to a future of equality for all. Or, if you … Read more

Podcast: The Fantasy Suite is back for The Bachelor NZ 2016 and we are #sorrynotsorry

Listen to the bold return episode of the The Fantasy Suite, The Spinoff’s weekly podcast all about The Bachelor New Zealand. There’s a new Bachelor, a new mansion, and the same old group of plonkers talking about it for far too long. It’s The Fantasy Suite, The Spinoff’s weekly podcast about The Bachelor NZ hosted … Read more

Martin Crowe – Jeremy Wells, Sonia Gray and more pay tribute to a batsman of many contradictions

Our Spinoff writers remember Martin Crowe: an old-school batting technician who became the headband-clad hero of the 1992 Cricket World Cup, the inventor of Cricket Max, and a regular antagonist to the cricketing establishment. Sonia Gray, TV presenter, Black Caps tragic I first met Martin Crowe in 2000 when we filmed a promo for Sky Movies together. There were camera … Read more

Pop on the Couch, Episode 21 – Why should The Lumineers stick to grilling broccoli? (WATCH)

The latest episode of our bi-weekly pop music chat for umusic, shot and edited by The Spinoff’s own José Barbosa. It involves two pop rookies – The Spinoff’s Alex Casey and bFM’s Joseph Harper – listening to state-of-the-art pop music and having a chat about it. Simple. This week they discuss the ghost of The … Read more

Podcast: TV Mum, Episode 5 – Dianne finds out that Eye Candy has been cancelled

Welcome to TV Mum, a weekly podcast starring Brendon Green and his Mum, Dianne. Every week Brendon will try and get Dianne to remember the details of a TV show she’s recently watched. The resulting discussion is a journey through Dianne’s shaky memory and never ends up where you’d expect. This week the Greens talk … Read more

Who will host Survivor New Zealand?

Today TVNZ announced that Survivor New Zealand will be coming to TV2 this year, with potential applicants encouraged to apply here. But which NZ TV legend will host it? Alex Casey and Calum Henderson see who the cap fits.  Matty McLean He’s already proven his chops as a Survivor superfan right here on the bloody … Read more

‘Half full of hope’: 19 Christchurch voices on the fifth anniversary

Five years on from the catastrophic earthquake, some of Canterbury’s finest reveal how they’re planning to mark the occasion, and how optimistic they feel about the recovery. At 12:51pm on February 22, 2011, Canterbury was changed forever, when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck. One hundred and eighty five people would lose their lives, with vast … Read more

“Relinquish the internet my friends” – Vince Staples graces Pop on the Couch

The latest episode of our bi-weekly pop music chat for umusic, shot and edited by The Spinoff’s own José Barbosa. It involves two pop rookies – The Spinoff’s Alex Casey and bFM’s Joseph Harper – listening to state-of-the-art pop music and having a chat about it. Simple. This week the two talk are joined by … Read more

Throwback Thursday: What other classic Kiwi game shows could we revive?

This year New Zealand television seems to be returning to yonder year of traditional family-oriented game shows such as Family Feud and Mastermind. So what other game shows could we see back on our screens? With the help of NZ On Screen, we revisit some of our old favourites. Hayden Donnell on Tux Wonder Dogs … Read more

Podcast: TV Mum, Episode 1 – One Mum retraces her journey through Vikings

Welcome to the first episode of TV Mum, a weekly podcast starring Brendon Green and his Mum, Dianne. Every week Brendon will try and get Dianne to remember the details of a TV show she’s recently watched. The resulting discussion is a journey through Dianne’s shaky memory and never ends up where you’d expect. This … Read more

The greatest New Zealand works of non-fiction ever – part two

In which we take a deep breath and declare the best 50 works of New Zealand non-fiction – books, journals, and various assorted printed material. Yow! Right then! Let us continue with the countdown to the greatest works of non-fiction ever published in New Zealand, as selected by a conscientious, hand-wringing panel of male and … Read more

The 100 greatest New Zealand works of non-fiction ever – part one

A Spinoff special: we list the best 100 works of non-fiction ever published in New Zealand. Because the Guardian is running its list of the 100 greatest non-fiction books next week, the Spinoff thought we’d get in first – and present the 100 greatest works of New Zealand non-fiction right now, right here, spread over … Read more