Summer reissue: A play-by-play of Kim Hill’s knockout match with Scott Brown

In July, US Ambassador Scott Brown had what he probably thought was an interview scheduled with Kim Hill. What actually ensued was a brilliantly shady media boxing match. Sam Brooks gives his play-by-play. My prevailing memory of Kim Hill is from something I once taped on One, back in the dark ages where you would tape … Read more

The Spinoff guide to watching free-to-air TV this Christmas

Sam Brooks picks out what you should watch this Christmas when things get too stressful and you just need to curl up on the couch. Christmas is a stressful day for everyone. Whether you’re giving the gifts, receiving them, making the food or eating it, there’s a lot to do. And sometimes you need a … Read more

On its 30th birthday, what does Final Fantasy even mean anymore?

There have been 15 numbered titles, it has sold 130 million copies worldwide, and it’s spawned countless spinoffs. On its 30th birthday, Sam Brooks reflects on Final Fantasy and what the series means to him. The series that made me realise that video games were more than just a silly pastime was the Final Fantasy series. The … Read more

Is this the most heavyweight television cast in the history of ever?

Arriving December 19, Lightbox’s new historical epic The Hollow Crown is bringing some serious silver screen stars to your little streaming device. Sam Brooks shares a guide on where you know them from and who the heck they’re playing. There are two things that happen when you watch one of these period dramas with loads … Read more

Has Sia’s performance art pop reached its expiry date?

Sia played Mt. Smart Stadium last week. Sam Brooks went and found the concert – and Sia’s entire anti-persona persona – sadly wanting. We all know Sia’s concept (if you’re being kind) or shtick (if you’re being unkind) by now. She puts on a wig and sings while a dancer, usually Maddie Ziegler from Dance … Read more

The Hollywood Medium is a terrifying and fascinating human being

Tyler Henry aka The Hollywood Medium is giving one of the most bizarre and compelling performances on television right now, and he probably doesn’t even know it. Straight up: I’ve got no idea if Tyler Henry, the titular Hollywood medium of Hollywood Medium, is legit or not. His Wikipedia page is full of people debunking … Read more

A play-by-play of Kim Hill’s medium rare roasting of Don Brash

This morning on RNZ Kim Hill generously gave Don Brash 30 minutes in which to explain his problem with Guyon Espiner speaking te reo on the radio. Self-appointed Kim Hill expert and superfan Sam Brooks brings you her best burns. When it was announced that Don Brash was going to be interviewed by Kim Hill … Read more

Search Party is a show for millennials – and the people who hate them

Search Party is back on Lightbox for its second season – with new episodes arriving every Monday. Sam Brooks is here to tell you why you need to catch up on this show right now. Mild spoilers ahead! If you don’t want to take my word for it, and why would you, you should read … Read more

Briefs: Close Encounters is theatre at its most fun – and most subversive

After a rocking season last year, Briefs Factory returns with their new show Briefs: Close Encounters. Sam Brooks responds to the two very different sides to the show, and how the company marries them. There are two shows I want to talk about here. There’s the show that you pay for: the high-quality, beat-perfect and burlesque-circus-dance hybrid … Read more

I cried when Stevie Nicks played ‘Landslide’

Stevie Nicks played at Auckland’s Spark Arena last night, with The Pretenders as special guests. Sam Brooks was there. I saw Blondie and Cyndi Lauper early this year, and there’s something special about seeing these vanguards of music do a victory lap. All the things that made them unique, made them famous, made them successes … Read more

Fergie’s Double Dutchess: More Sprite Zero than Lemonade

Fergie’s album Double Dutchess dropped last month. It is, for whatever reason, a visual album. Sam Brooks dove deep. Fergie occupies a strange place in our pop culture. After a girl group stint few people remember, she became famous as the most recognisable voice of one of the biggest bands of the 21st century thus … Read more

Transparent still has the most real family dynamic you’ll find on television

With season four arriving to Lightbox tomorrow, Sam Brooks previews the return of excellent family dramedy Transparent. I dilly-dallied on watching the third season of Transparent, which I am ashamed about now. Season two ended with one of the strongest images I’ve seen on TV – the image of a baby being born many decades ago, screaming … Read more

A few beers with Rachel House

She’s perhaps New Zealand’s most prominent actress of this moment, but when she gets a big part, she’s still reluctant to share the news for fears of being cut down. She’s a sudden film star, a theatre legend, and a chill-as-shit lady. Sam Brooks sits down in a park for a few beers with Rachel House. Photography by Joel Thomas. There’s the … Read more

The Dirtbag Bird of the Year 2017

The kea has emerged triumphant as New Zealand’s Bird of the Year. Sam Brooks is proud to introduce The Spinoff’s alternative contest: New Zealand’s Dirtbag Bird of the Year. The kea is apparently our favourite bird of 2017. This is, depending on who you follow on Twitter, either a travesty, absolutely deserved, or a waste … Read more

Just let me finish my sentence: On life with a stutter

Today is International Stuttering Awareness Day. Spinoff staff writer Sam Brooks has a stutter; this is what it’s like. Sometimes I can’t be bothered cooking. It’s been a long day of spinoffing at the Spinoff office, I’ve written a lot of hot takes and considered the left-wing agenda. On those days, I might go outside … Read more

The 2018 Billy T nominees are here, and they’re pretty damn great

The 2018 Billy T Award Nominees were announced today. Sam Brooks goes deep on who they are, and why this slate is so great. Remember comedy? It exists! And outside of the Comedy Festival. What a concept! Last night, applicants for the Billy T Award, the most famous award in New Zealand comedy, did their … Read more

‘It’s deeply disappointing, but it’s not gay’: About that Rainbow Youth ad

Last week LGBTIQ organisation Rainbow Youth released their first ever TV spot to combat homophobia. Sam Brooks does a close read of the ad, what it means, and where the conversation goes next. “If it’s not gay, it’s not gay.” Rainbow Youth’s viral ad has a simple concept and a simple message. We’re in some … Read more

Gaming review: Cuphead is extremely hard and incredibly good

The much anticipated Cuphead has finally been released. It’s a tremendously hard and beautiful indie run-and-gun game and Sam Brooks, despite being notoriously bad at video games, gave it a brave hoon. I am very bad at video games. I feel like I need to preface this review, and any opinion I have on video games with … Read more

Sam’s Celebrity Game Reviews: Kevin Hart’s Gold Ambush

Next up in Sam’s Celebrity Game Reviews, Sam Brooks plays an incredibly strange Kevin Hart game that is unfortunately aimed at families, maybe. How fortuitous to be reviewing a celebrity mobile game that is mildly relevant to the news of today. Last week, we found out that Kevin Hart cheated on his pregnant wife, and … Read more

That rainbow kind of magic: Ranking the rides at Rainbow’s End

It’s a New Zealand stalwart, but does anybody have the guts to power rank the rides at Rainbow’s End? Fully grown man Sam Brooks does. Last Friday I decided to go to Rainbow’s End to belatedly celebrate my birthday with two friends, one of whom had never been to Rainbow’s End before, because his childhood … Read more

Our foolproof guide to who will definitely, maybe clean up at The Emmys

Our friendly TV sponsors at Lightbox have a whole bunch of shows nominated for the Emmy Awards this year, so we got our resident award shows obsessive Sam Brooks to pick which ones might take home the gold. I love me an awards show. A bunch of people in pretty dresses saying long speeches and … Read more

How a student magazine’s booze reviews became a social media hit

Critic Te Arohi, the official magazine of the Otago University Student Association, has found itself a hit with Critic Booze Reviews, featuring reviews of the cheapest alcohol available. Sam Brooks interviews the prolific and heroic reviewer ‘Swilliams Shakesbeer’. “Shitty alcohol, shitty reviews.” The first is undoubtedly true. The second, less so. The reviews, written under the … Read more