Help: I’m being held hostage by HGTV

HGTV launched several weeks ago, bringing with it a delapidated villa’s worth of home renovation viewing options. Joanna McLeod explains why she can’t break free from HGTV and the mysterious allure of The Property Brothers. It started innocently enough, stumbling across Better Homes & Gardens on Choice TV. Before long, I had the know-how and … Read more

God defend our free land: A patriotic celebration of Kiwi music in international TV shows

As we come to the end of NZ Music Month, Joanna McLeod remembers the most iconic times that NZ music weaseled its way onto international prime time television.  The year was 1994. It was stinking hot, because of course it was. May in Tokyo was sweaty, and the American School I attended didn’t have air conditioning. … Read more

Knope we can – How to win at life using lessons from Parks & Recreation

Joanna McLeod collates her favourite life lessons from Parks and Recreation‘s Pawnee, the little town built on optimism, fizzy drinks and a thousand rubber nipples. Please note this story contains spoilers. Some people seek guidance from lifestyle gurus, motivational speakers or large amounts of drugs. For me, everything I need to know I can learn … Read more

Fava beans and Chianti? The most disgustingly perfect dishes to enjoy during Hannibal

Joanna McLeod assembles a list of meals to match each macabre masterpiece from Hannibal season one. Simply hover the mouse over each dish to see the original inspiration from the show… if you dare.  This post contains imagery that may be disturbing or NSFW. You might think a stomach-churningly gory show like Hannibal would be the … Read more

What Mark Weldon and MediaWorks can learn from 30 Rock’s Jack Donaghy

With MediaWorks continuing to spiral down a strange rabbit hole full of new shubs, Joanna McLeod calls upon a hero that could help CEO Mark Weldon rediscover his path to greatness: 30 Rock‘s fictional network boss Jack Donaghy. As Mark Weldon continues to make a series of more and more…interesting choices for MediaWorks, it’s become clear … Read more