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 The Spinoff’s weekly guide to the very best in entertainment, delivered to your inbox every Friday.

The Spinoff Members

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As he makes a surprise return to Shortland Street, actor Craig Parker takes us through his life in television.

‘We were as famous as Tom Cruise’: Craig Parker on 90s Shortland St fandom

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'I want to check in at the pearly gates and have them say, ‘theres nothing left here, he’s worn to a nub, put it in the bin’.'

‘I prioritise the mission, not my health’: Adam McGrath’s perfect weekend playlist

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The 2024 Christmas cliffhanger screens on Monday, and you can expect the final episode to be bigger and badder than ever before. 

The one episode of Shortland Street you need to watch this year

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A couple of weeks after Spotify Wrapped comes a much more comprehensive survey of New Zealand’s listening.

The real NZ Wrapped: Analysing the 2024 NZ Music charts

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From singing witches to horny tennis players, here's what we loved at the movies this year.

The Spinoff’s favourite movies of 2024

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In February you'll be able to say you were an OG fan.

Banger alert: the song of the summer is ‘Harty Māori Stylez’

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From Eden Park stepping up to rappers stepping each other out, we look back at the best of music this year.

The Spinoff’s favourite music of 2024

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The Spinoff’s favourite TV shows of 2024

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Including a much-anticipated new stand-up special, a documentary about a soap, and cute baby animals. 

New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week

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I made it to the end of 2024 without finding out what ‘hawk tuah’ means

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New Zealand's 'Godfather of Christmas' looks back on his life in TV and music.

‘I’m very happy about that’: Frankie Stevens on being the voice of Christmas

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'This is one of those songs that I will cry to in the car. I don’t even know why.'

‘A great song is one you can dance and cry to’: Elliott Dawson’s perfect weekend playlist

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For the past three decades, there’s only been room for one Dr Love in Ferndale. Until now.

Conan O’Brien just gave us the weirdest two minutes of Shortland Street ever

Tara Ward

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From Chris Warner’s beard to Newshub’s tearful goodbye, these are the TV moments that gripped the nation this year.

The most memorable local television moments of 2024

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From Holmes to Sheeran, a look back at some of the more memorable visitors Ferndale has ever seen.

A brief history of celebrity cameos on Shortland Street

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Move over meat and dairy – these are our highest quality exports. 

How does New Zealand produce so many successful child actors?

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New documentary gives insight into what is driving the country's youth to carry out ram raids and why prison might not be the answer.

Review: Ram Raid Mums provides a blueprint for breaking the cycle

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‘If I didn't do it, no other bugger would.’

The small town cinemas holding on at the edge of the world

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Including a new Christmas eve action film to rival Die Hard, good news for Inside Out fans and a 90s romantic classic. 

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'That's the thing about live TV, and especially live sports ... there's always that element of jeopardy.'

‘Damn near knocked me out’: Scotty Stevenson’s biggest live TV headache

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Was it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence? 

How was Maddi Wesche’s final shot put throw not over 20m? A Spinoff investigation

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The NZ Media Council upheld the complaint under principle four: comment and fact.

NZ Media Council upholds complaint against The Spinoff article on Palestine exhibition 

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I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here's exactly how it played out.

What it’s like to be made redundant by the Ministry of Education

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How is it so important that it's mentioned in every safety video?

Why can’t I pick up my own dropped phone on a plane?

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Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on?

Juggernaut: The ghosts of 1984

Madeleine Chapman

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Our reviewers debate a new novel about a grieving copyeditor in London.

A hater and an enthusiast review The Royal Free by Carl Shuker

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Christmas is often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here's how to make it easier on yourself. 

Survive to 25 (December, that is)

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It would be a more wonderful time of year if I knew there was no exploitation under the Christmas tree.

All I want for Christmas is modern day slavery legislation

Time travel, a bleak dalliance with the French King, and some dubious flatmates – is Jamie and Claire’s relationship actually worth it? Fictional relationship expert Madeleine Chapman passes judgement.

Outlander: is Jamie and Claire's relationship worth all the drama? | The Spinoff for Lightbox

 from Monday November 5, and you can binge the three previous seasons there as well!

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Time travel, a bleak dalliance with the French King, and some dubious flatmates – is Jamie and Claire's relationship actually worth it? The Spinoff's senior fictional relationship expert Madeleine Chapman passes judgement.

The Spinoff

Pop CultureNovember 3, 2018

Outlander: Is Jamie and Claire’s relationship worth all the drama?

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Pop CultureNovember 3, 2018

Outlander: Is Jamie and Claire’s relationship worth all the drama?

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