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

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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

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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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

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'It’s just so lovely to see a dog again.'

The rescue dog bringing joy to Christchurch retirement homes

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The Friday Poem: ‘Bejeweled log’ by Holly Fletcher

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The bestselling books of the year, revealed.

The Unity Books bestseller chart for 2024

. Brush up on all the bonnets, babies and body horror of the first two seasons here. 

!!! Contains spoilers for season 1 and 2 of The Handmaid’s Tale !!!

The Handmaid's Tale recap: season one and two | The Spinoff for Lightbox

The first three episodes of season three of The Handmaid’s Tale drop on Lightbox at 8pm on Thursday June 6 

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Season three of The Handmaid's Tale drops on June 6, exclusively on Lightbox. Brush up on all the bonnets, babies and body horror of the first two seasons here. 

The Spinoff

Pop CultureMay 30, 2019

Video recap: The Handmaid’s Tale season 1 and 2 in under three minutes

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Pop CultureMay 30, 2019

Video recap: The Handmaid’s Tale season 1 and 2 in under three minutes

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