Sam Brooks is a playwright, journalist and critic. Email him on sam@thespinoff.co.nz
All four seasons of Laura Linney cancer-comedy The Big C drops on Lightbox today. Sam Brooks writes about the series' surprisingly uplifting journey through a woman's nightmare.
To celebrate the release of her third album, Dedicated, here's our guide to becoming a Carly Rae Jepsen fan. A Carly Rae Jepstan, if you will.
It's week six of Dancing with the Stars, and the cream has risen from beneath the crop! Sam Brooks power-ranks the contestants.
Sam Brooks has a transcendent experience at the part of the Auckland Writers Festival grown-ups never hear about: the school sessions.
We're halfway through the celebrity stepping competition that is Dancing with the Stars. Sam Brooks power-ranks week five!
Much like its subject, The Audience is blandly pleasant and frustratingly naive. Sam Brooks reviews Auckland Theatre Company's latest production.
Sam Brooks swims against the cultural tide in noping out on Game of Thrones.
The new trailer for the much anticipated, oft delayed Final Fantasy 7 remake is here. Optimist and superfan Sam Brooks breaks it down for you.
Sam Brooks reviews Educators, a beautifully morbid and mean-spirited New Zealand comedy about high school teachers.
Emily Writes' bestseller Rants in the Dark is coming to Auckland – as a play! Sam Brooks talks to her about the process of seeing her book adapted for the stage.
It's the 2019 Met Ball Gala, and the theme is Camp! In an act of fully precedented hubris, Sam Brooks ranks the looks as they come down the red carpet.
It's week four of celebrity deadlifting competition, Dancing with the Stars. Sam Brooks power-ranks the contestants.
Cheers for a millennial audience? A three-camera sitcom that you can laugh at without feeling guilty? Sounds great! Sam Brooks reviews Abby's.
She's more than a New Zealand icon - she's a New Zealand star. Sam Brooks interviews Danielle Cormack about her role as Lulu in Fresh Eggs
Playwright and Spinoff culture editor Sam Brooks talks to Val Emmich, author of Dear Evan Hansen, about the process of adapting a smash Broadway musical into a book.
Satellites is a series of public events and encounters showcasing the most exciting contemporary Asian artists in Auckland. Sam Brooks interviewed the founder of Satellites, Rosabel Tan, and one of the artists, Ahi Karunaharan about this year's program.
One year ago, God of War was unleashed on the world, selling millions of copies and winning countless awards. Sam Brooks finally catches up with the game.
Only three weeks in and it feels like a thousand! Sam Brooks power-ranks the third week of celebrity sweep-the-floor-with-a-lady competition, Dancing with the Stars NZ. The theme of this week is guilty …
Sam Brooks reviews Aldous Harding's mysterious and enthralling third album, Designer.
Sam Brooks reviews Anthems, a six-part documentary on New Zealand's iconic hits, which starts tonight on Prime.
MARINA's new album drops in its entirety on April 26 – but where has she been, and where are the Diamonds? Sam Brooks chronicles the journey of popstar MARINA from Diamonds to caps lock.
Sam Brooks power-ranks week two of New Zealand's premiere celebrity charity shimmying show, Dancing with the Stars.
Sam Brooks digs into his childhood to present his magnum opus: a ranking of all 151 OG Pokémon.
New Zealand’s celebrity perambulator competition continues tonight! Sam Brooks power-ranks the second night of the first week of Dancing with the Stars NZ.
What's the best way to look at the biggest show on television at the moment? Through a 20 year old video game, of course, writes Sam Brooks.
New Zealand's celebrity movement competition returns tonight! Sam Brooks power-ranks the first week of Dancing with the Stars NZ.
