José Barbosa

Staff Producer

José Barbosa oversees all The Spinoff's video and audio content. He's previously worked as news director at 95bFM and as reporter for TVNZ7's Media7. Email him on jose@thespinoff.co.nz

Auckland

Nov 13, 2018

Haters back off: Auckland's giant Santa is awesome

Every year an 18 metre tall Santa is pieced together and bolted to the front of the Farmers Building on Queen Street. Aucklanders seem to love him, outsiders not so much.

Television

Nov 6, 2018

The greatest hits of Suzanne Paul's beautiful life

She's touched all our lives in some way, but she's only been able to do that by being a totally-up-for-it chameleon. José Barbosa pays tribute to perhaps New Zealand's brightest â€¦

Television

Nov 2, 2018

José Barbosa watches Meghan and Harry take New Zealand TV by storm

Tune in to a carnival of royal waves and welly wanging.

Television

Oct 28, 2018

The Spinoff Reviews New Zealand #72: My new bum bag

We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today, José Barbosa speaks the gospel of fanny packs.

Gaming

Nov 17, 2017

Assassin’s Creed Origins: time for Ubisoft to chuck it all in?

The latest Assassin's Creed game reviewed, and a thinkin' on the future.

Gaming

Nov 3, 2017

Review: the Xbox One X – should this be on your list to Santa?

There's a new version of the Xbox out and its makers reckon it's the most powerful home console out there, complete with 4K output and very high FPS. José Barbosa gives the One X a hoon.

Gaming

Sep 21, 2017

Return to Dayz Standalone: is it going anywhere?

After a good long hiatus, José Barbosa comes back to the granddaddy of the zombie survival apocalypse video game.

Gaming

Sep 21, 2017

Top of the Pile #9 – Armello

Our half arse video game series returns and what rubbish awaits inside?

Television

Sep 9, 2017

The Spinoff vs the Election 2017 Leader Debates

José Barbosa has watched the Election 2017 debates in his bunker and slaved deep into the night fuelled by only canned tuna and the odd dart to bring you this special report.

Gaming

May 4, 2017

How I became a Jedi: Looking back at gameplay training forum The Jedi Academy

A tale of a man and the online Star Wars community that kept his brain intact.

Music

Apr 29, 2017

Can Mikey Havoc and bFM make each other great again?

Seven years after he hung up his headphones at bFM, Mikey Havoc – musician, trouble maker, radio talent extraordinaire – is back at the station that made him. Ahead of his first Breakfast show on May 8th, Havoc sat down with his former producer José Barbosa to explain what lured him home.

Gaming

Apr 28, 2017

Grinding Gear Games: the studio that prefers to go with its gut – and it’s working

A visit to NZ's biggest video game studio and their amazing selection of soft drinks.

Media

Apr 10, 2017

The 5 best non-obvious things John Clarke ever did

Has any other satirist caught the ridiculousness of New Zealand life better than John Clarke? He's famous for Fred Dagg and We Don't Know How Lucky We Are of course, but here are some lesser know classics.

Television

Apr 10, 2017

Controversial: Is Better Call Saul actually better than Breaking Bad? (WATCH)

With the third season of Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul arriving on Lightbox today, José Barbosa makes his case for why the prequel may well be even better than the original.

Television

Mar 22, 2017

A sinner in a Cinnabon: The Spinoff meets Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk

The Spinoff gets an interview with the one and only Bob Odenkirk, who primes José Barbosa for season three of Better Call Saul.

Gaming

Mar 13, 2017

On the ‘Reg: Let’s Play – Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin PS VR

Spend 3.5 minutes watching two grown men struggle through virtual reality only to find themselves and each other.

Television

Feb 24, 2017

Turns out 2017 is scarier than Parks and Recreation could ever imagine

In the final season of Parks & Recreation the timeline jumps ahead to 2017. Now that actual 2017 is here, Jose Barbosa wistfully compares fantasy and reality.

Gaming

Feb 11, 2017

On The Reg livestream highlights: Conan Exiles

Watch two men in their 30s discover you can adjust the size of your characters doodle in Conan Exiles

Gaming

Feb 11, 2017

The Spinoff’s favourite games hidden in your phone

Further destroy your life by playing games hidden in some of your favourite apps

Gaming

Feb 3, 2017

On The Reg livestream highlights: Tekken 6

It's a new On The 'Reg and this time José and guest smack the hell out of each other in Tekken 6.

Gaming

Feb 2, 2017

The banning of Gal* Gun: Double Peace – the view from the Censor’s office

In the final part of our look into the Gal*Gun ban, José Barbosa seeks clarity from the Chief Censor

Television

Feb 1, 2017

Farewell to the brows: Why Peter Capaldi was the coolest Doctor

Peter Capaldi has announced that he will be leaving Doctor Who at the end of the year. José Barbosa assesses Capaldi's tenure in the role and offers some pleas for the next incarnation.

Gaming

Jan 26, 2017

On The Reg livestream highlights: Hatoful Boyfriend – the pigeon dating simulator

What happens when you and a mate play a Japanese pigeon dating simulator? Bloody transgressive weirdness tbh.

Television

Jan 20, 2017

Video: José Barbosa watches the new MacGyver and has a terrible time

The original MacGyver is a stone-cold classic, with a likeably earnest hero and a lot of heart. The reboot, which began last night on Prime? Not so much. José Barbosa explains.

Gaming

Jan 18, 2017

Welcome to San Francisco. Let Marcus Holloway of Watch Dogs 2 show you around

A Watchdogs 2 power tour of San Francisco complete with sass.

Gaming

Dec 29, 2016

Summer reissue: A video game acting masterclass with Xmen’s Shawn Ashmore

Way back in April, actor Shawn Ashmore (Xmen, The Following, Animorphs) was doing the press rounds promoting the XBox time travel game Quantum Break. Shawn gave José Barbosa an exclusive acting masterclass.

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