Angella Dravid on FIRST – Starstruck – Sasquatch Chronicles
...and other recs this week!
Kia ora, welcome to this week’s newsletter.
Do you like to laugh? Out loud? In a room full of other people doing the same? To be honest even if you prefer to sit in stone faced silence I still recommend buying a ticket to one or more shows at next month’s NZ International Comedy Festival.
There are many different shows to choose from, but my rec is Angella Dravid’s new show Stories For Adults. Angella’s Billy T Award-winning 2017 show Down the Rabbit Hole, about the time she got sent to prison, was one of the all-time great comedy festival shows – in fact, it’s such a good story it’s now being developed into a movie.
In a huge coincidence, Angella Dravid is also the guest on this week’s episode of FIRST. Have a watch if you want to know what the difference was between MSN and Yahoo messenger and more. Subscribe and listen to the podcast version on on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, too.
–Cal
This week’s new podcasts
On When the Facts Change [Apple | Spotify] this week, Bernard Hickey spoke to economist Julie Fry and Anu Kaloti from the Migrant Workers’ Association about how New Zealand is failing to live up to its image as a kind country when it comes to temporary migration. On Business is Boring [Apple | Spotify], Simon Pound spoke to Dr Robert Feldman, CEO of Covid-19 Vaccine Corporation, about the fascinating science behind developing a vaccine. Remember When… [Apple | Spotify] celebrated Australia Week on The Spinoff by remembering TV masterpiece Kath & Kim. And brand new episodes of Gone By Lunchtime [Apple | Spotify] and The Real Pod [Apple | Spotify] will be out later today! Subscribe now, and if you want to do The Spinoff Podcast Network a really massive favour, rate and review as well.
The Single Object
If you live in Wellington you might be familiar with Futuna Chapel, one of renowned Māori architect John Scott’s most well-known buildings. And if you’ve ever been inside (there’s actually a gig there this Saturday if you want an excuse to visit) you might be familiar with the pou at the centre of the building. That pou (and others Scott included in his designs) is what this week’s episode of The Single Object is all about.
Popstars (2021)
Sam says: “The new version of Popstars is way more enjoyable to watch now the auditions are done and we have a top 12. The show is actually a great showcase of some pretty damn charming singers, songwriters, and future hitmakers. It hasn’t quite reached the reality heights of original, but now that they’re actually moulding them into genuine stars, there’s actual drama and tension! Also: Le Art needs to drop their single NOW.”
Sasquatch Chronicles
José says: “Sasquatch Chronicles is my latest podcast obsession. It’s a weekly show where host Wes Germer interviews two or more people who claim to have had an encounter with the big fella. And it's absolutely terrifying. The show is really more of a confessional or a safe space for people to off load their experiences – it's often the first time they've told anyone about their encounter and they sound genuinely scared and confused. Wes approaches these confessionals without judgement, and it can take the air of a support circle where it's helpful just to know others have gone through the same thing. If you like a good belly-churning scary story, give this a listen.”
This Taskmaster task
José adds: “I also want to recommend this clip from the latest episode of Taskmaster UK. Within the space of its five minutes you'll go from having a wee chuckle at a man struggling through the simple task set out for him, to releasing genuine howls of joy in the achievement of victory to, finally, experiencing the chilling effects of pure horror. This is my TV moment of the year.”
Starstruck
Speaking of Taskmaster UK, one-time contestant Rose Matafeo’s new series Starstruck is out today on TVNZ OnDemand. It’s a modern twist on the classic Notting Hill style rom com about an absolute nobody (Matafeo) who accidentally hooks up with a famous movie star (Nikesh Patel), whose agent is played by a scene-stealing Minnie Driver. After watching the first two episodes I reckon I’m probably going to watch the rest all at once, probably while eating a bag of chips in bed. (That’s a good thing.)
VF48Hours 2021: Pitches Be Crazy
Dunedin team Bus of the Undead has entered the 48Hours film competition 16 times, tackling genres from puppetry to time travel. This year they got the tricky genre “invitation movie”, and 48 hours later had made Pitches Be Crazy, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the pitching process behind a really terrible movie. We’ll be sharing selections from this year’s 48Hours every Friday in the lead-up to the national final in Auckland on May 22. If you’d like to go but don’t want to pay for it, we’ll have some passes to give away a little closer to the time.
Pretty Iconic
Alex says: “Last weekend I bought a book from the Red Cross in Sandringham for 50c that I have not been able to shut up about. It’s called Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes, a mega-chunky read filled with thoughtful, personal, well-researched essays about the beauty products that changed the world, all photographed beautifully like posh pieces of art. I’ve been treating myself to a few a night and each one has been a revelation about the bathroom cabinet and makeup bag products you never think twice about. For example, Benefit’s Benetint was created after a stripper wanted to make her nipples more obvious in the dimly-lit bar, Estee Lauder’s Youth Dew only became a sellout after she “accidentally” dropped it on the floor of a department store, and Elizabeth Ardern’s 8-Hour Cream was originally made for massaging into horse hooves. The essay about Old Spice made me cry, which is a sentence I never, ever thought I’d type.”
The Blind Finch, Ohakune
Josie says: “I recommend The Blind Finch Hamburgeria and Bakehouse in Ohakune. In the morning it's the "bakehouse" and in the evening it's the "hamburgeria". All day long it has coffees and fancy domes of cheesecake available. Everything is extremely delicious and there are vegan options available if you're inclined that way. I couldn't tell if the blind finches work there or if they're an ingredient, but either way they're absolutely crushing it. Can particularly recommend: the truffle fries, the Bliksem burger, and the morning beef rendang pie (I did not try this but two fellow customers endorsed it).”
That’s all for this week! Please reply to get in touch and share with anyone else who might like to subscribe too. See you next Wednesday 👋