Podcast: Listen to the First Episode of On the Rag – 2015 in Women

The first episode of On the Rag, a podcast hosted by Alex Casey which looks at, laughs at and questions the state of women in pop culture, news and the world. To look at back at the year of 2015, she is joined by comedian and author Michele A’Court and marketing guru and longtime good … Read more

Opinion: Updated – How Did The Edge Get Away With the Cucumber Number?

UPDATE: Since publishing, some of the bachelorettes have got in touch. Turns out the “cucumber number” was far from a one-off. If you have read this already, scroll to the bottom for the update, including some very gross audio. It’s radio survey time in our fair nation, so chaos reigns on your dial. The evidence … Read more

My Life in TV: Heartbreak Cigarettes, Lime Milk Woes and Baking Curses with Dani From The Bachelor NZ

Alex Casey has a sprawling chat with Dani Robinson of The Bachelor NZ about mansion friendships, ruthless edits, and finding love in a hopeless place. I went over to Dani Robinson’s house the other week, to get her take on the brilliant behind-the-scenes TV drama UnREAL. As the runner-up of The Bachelor NZ, I thought … Read more

UnREAL: How Real is UnREAL? The Runner-Up of the Bachelor NZ Spills the Secret Reality Beans

Alex Casey watches UnREAL – a drama set behind-the-scenes of a Bachelor-esque reality show – with The Bachelor NZ runner-up Dani Robinson, who dishes the dirt on how real reality TV really is. Set behind-the-scenes of a Bachelor-style dating show, the fictional world of UnREAL hints at the dark methods used to construct reality TV. Co-created by Marti Noxon and … Read more

Podcast: UnREAL, The Bachelorette and Making Love on Television

A Spinoff special covering Lightbox’s exceptional new bleakly comic drama UnREAL and the mindblowing new season of The Bachelorette, playing on TVNZ On Demand. The Spinoff’s Alex Casey and Duncan Greive are joined by The Pantograph Punch‘s Kirsti Whalen – who has watched every single English-language Bachelor franchise – to discuss the way the search … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: The Fantasy Suite Podcast, Episode 10 – Matilda Spills the Rice

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 Bachelor NZ: A Pop Quiz Reveals Pitch Perfect Dreams, Navel Flirtation and Penis Pancakes

After weeks of power ranking from behind a computer, Alex Casey sits down with The Bachelor NZ‘s Art and Matilda. Together they sit a fool-proof relationship quiz, and talk about their hopes and dreams for the future. It was what dreams are made of: Art and Matilda, together in a room. Bachelor banners. A small … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: The Fantasy Suite Podcast, Episode Nine – After the Final Invisible Rose Special

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

The Bachelor NZ: Group Think, Week Eight – Ancient Conspiracy Theories and Shredding for the Wedding

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

The Bachelor NZ: Power Rankings, Week Eight – The Golden Final Moments on the GC

Alex Casey delivers her (possibly) final power rankings for The Bachelor NZ. With a winner decided, it’s time to rank the greatest moments of the final week in paradise. We made it guys, finally tottering along the sandy shores of love to the finalé. And what a finale episode it was – like the producers … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: The Fantasy Suite Podcast, Episode Eight – Looking For the Final Rose

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 Bachelor NZ: Who Will Receive the Final Rose? Let the Sims Decide

Joseph Harper uses his Playstation 2 version of The Sims to decide the final outcome of The Bachelor NZ.  Speculation is rife going into the final week of The Bachelor NZ. All three remaining bachelorettes seem to have a crack at the title of Art Green’s girlfriend. Alysha has the nice accent. Matilda has a nice … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: Power Rankings, Week Seven – Arthur Meats the Parents

Sitting on the couch of scrutiny right next to the barbecue of trust, Alex Casey delivers her seventh power rankings in our weekly series. If you missed last week’s power rankings, click here. As visionary artisté Skylar Grey once sang, “I’m coming home, I’m coming home – tell the world I’m coming home” and this was … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: The Fantasy Suite Podcast, Episode Seven – Back in the Straddle

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

The Bachelor NZ: Group Think, Week Six – Odes to Art, Stud-Filled Dreams and Why Kiwis Make the Best Bachelorettes

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

The Bachelor NZ: Power Rankings, Week Six – Burger People, Feline Friends and Trapped Tiki Taane

Rowing endlessly around The Bachelor NZ pond of love, Alex Casey delivers her sixth power rankings in our weekly series. If you missed last week’s power rankings, click here. This week The Bachelor NZ was about as juicy and satisfying as a face-sized burger eaten without a knife and fork because the Burger People didn’t have … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: The Fantasy Suite Podcast, Episode Six – Pash Wednesday

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 Bachelor NZ: Group Think, Week Five – Letters to Mum and Prayers for Mike

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

The Bachelor NZ: Power Rankings, Week Five – Wrist Twists and Nip Slips

After blow-karting down The Bachelor NZ race track of love, Alex Casey delivers her fifth power rankings in our weekly series. If you missed last week’s power rankings, click here. Call the ambulance – nay (neigh, lol get it), the morgue. I’m officially dead after this week. We’ve been thrown down waterfalls, had our wrists broken and … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: The Fantasy Suite Podcast, Episode Five

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

The Bachelor NZ: A Deep Dive Analysis of the Bachelorette’s Pop Quiz Answers

Alex Casey goes through the Bachelorette’s pop quiz answers with a fine tooth comb, in order to find out what’s really lurking behind the smiley faces, scribbles and love hearts. // There is no better way to discover someone’s worldview than a hand-filled out form. So you can imagine my delight when I found out … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: Power Rankings, Week Four

After a an exciting wet and wild week on The Bachelor NZ, Alex Casey delivers her fourth power rankings in our weekly series. If you missed previous power rankings, head here. // Yet another great week traversing the rose petal-lined path to true love. But before we begin, let’s check in with Art to see how his workout is … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: The Fantasy Suite Podcast, Episode Four

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 Bachelor NZ: Power Rankings, Week Three

After a kiss-fueled week three on The Bachelor NZ, Alex Casey delivers her third power rankings in our weekly series. If you missed week two, head here. What a week. The walls are coming down, the padlocks are unlocking, the closed books are being pried open. No metaphor left behind. I actually believe that some girls are starting to … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: The Fantasy Suite Podcast, Episode Three

Duncan, aka Dad, was away this week, so Jane and Alex had the pod all to themselves. They took advantage of the freedom and drank a bottle of delicious Lindauer rosé while watching Wednesday’s dynamite episode. Then they talked about kissing, sushi protocol, ziplines, dress recycling and the week’s Bachelor news – but essentially just … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: Power Rankings Week Two

After all the drama in week two of The Bachelor NZ, Alex Casey delivers her second power rankings in our weekly series. If you missed week one, head here. What a show. What great television. What a time to be alive. This week The Bachelor became everything it needed to be. The tears started welling up, … Read more

The Bachelor NZ: The Fantasy Suite Podcast, Episode Two

This is the second episode of The Fantasy Suite, our podcast dedicated to all things The Bachelor NZ. Hosted by world renowned Bachelor expert Jane Yee, with support from The Spinoff’s Alex Casey and Duncan Greive. We discuss Danielle L’s shocking self-elimination, Poppy’s masterful power play, the ‘poo’ date, Chrystal and Lisa’s hot war and … Read more

The Week in News: Orgies, Blackface and the Return of Mr T

Time is a Flat Bloner This morning Twitter blew up with the news that True Detective would feature an exquisite orgy scene in season two. Hiring a multitude of porn stars to fill the roles, The Hollywood Reporter stated that the show promises a “a deliriously vast, Eyes Wide Shut-caliber orgy sequence involving dozens of naked … Read more

My Life in TV: The Bachelor NZ’s Mike Puru

My Life in TV is a weekly feature interview with a member of the television industry. This week Alex talked to Mike Puru, enamoured host of The Bachelor NZ. // Mike Puru has stepped back in front of the camera this week to host the journey of love that is The Bachelor NZ. On the day of the premiere, … Read more