Sam Brooks is a playwright, journalist and critic. Email him on sam@thespinoff.co.nz
Sam Brooks pays tribute to Alex Rider, and the new TV series that (finally) captures the spirit of the books.
The mind behind The Office reunites with Steve Carell to bring us... an unfunny mess?
A debut novel woven from life's small moments.
Sam Brooks reviews Lady GaGa's sixth album, Chromatica, which sees the popstar stepping back into big pop glory, but at what cost?
In the spirit of international cooperation and mutual chair dancing, Sam Brooks and New York City-based culture critic Mark Blankenship are revisiting the top 10 singles from key weeks in …
Two years ago, her genre-busting show Nanette broke the internet. Now Hannah Gadsby has released a new stand-up special, and expectations are sky high.
Definitive list maven Sam Brooks tackles 90s classic Sex and the City. It does not go well.
How did this quaint village-making game become one of the biggest sellers of its generation?
Live music was one of the industries hit first, and hardest, by Covid-19. Now venue owners are hitting back.
Are you in a mood? Like, literally any mood? Don’t worry, Sam Brooks has you covered with something to cater to (or escape from) some very specific moods.
The one-time Netflix darling finishes up its run with... an interactive special? Sam Brooks reviews Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs The Reverend
For some, level two might be the road back to normality. For others? Nothing could be further from the truth.
Why play it safe with genre when you can just take the talents of your two lead actors and run with them?
Taika Waititi is making a Star Wars film! Great news, but maybe let's lower our expectations, writes Sam Brooks.
Sam Brooks talks to Kiwibank’s chief risk officer Liz Knight about what the Rainbow Tick means for the company.
Sam Brooks reviews dating sim legend Sakura Wars, which returns after 15 years with a soft reboot.
Grief is an unwanted guest at the best of times, none more so than when you can’t actually have guests.
Sam Brooks reviews the BBC and Hulu adaptation of the Sally Rooney book club staple.
How do you move your news-stuffed, comedian-packed game show to Zoom? Sam Brooks talked to Hayley Sproull, host of Have You Been Paying Attention?, to find out.
Ahead of the NZ debut of Eat Well For Less, literal first-time cook Sam Brooks gives a few of his own (barely tested) tips of how to eat well for less.
In this collection, Breton Dukes' characters are driven by primal compulsions like sex, power, pride – or the urgent need to defecate.
Rebuilding Paradise with Paul Henry marks the controversial presenter’s return to primetime to talk about New Zealand after Covid-19.
What if that 'Imagine' video was nearly nine hours long and featured over a hundred celebrities?
Imagine Love Island without… the touching? Netflix’s new reality show Too Hot to Handle hits a little bit close to our distanced homes.
Pooch Perfect is the dog-grooming reality show you never knew you wanted. Here are the famous dogs who we think deserve a spot to be groomed by the best of the best.
Sam Brooks reviews The Tiger King and I, which does little to rectify the damage and distortion done by the monster Netflix hit.
