The last time shirtless guys in their 20s showed off their Maori tats at the beach was on The GC. Here's another semi-local show, a little under the radar, a little weirder and darker.

If you are searching out a gift for that opera-loving friend who has everything, this new Deutsche Grammophon boxed set should fit the bill.

You won't find Miguel in the gossip mags. You won't see him cavorting with supermodels. And you won't catch him courting controversy on TMZ.

Non-comedian guests deliver some golden moments on Jaquie Brown's otherwise lacklustre new game show, writes Alex Casey.

The dancers went all out to impress the judges, with new looks, X-Men haircuts and, for Jay-Jay Harvey, a raunchy cheerleading outfit. But did it pay off?

There came a moment towards the end of Thursday night's concert when Julia Deans was thanking the audience for coming, and warmly added "If there's anyone rich in the audience who would like to help us take this show on a world tour."

She's one of New Zealand's favourite musical personalities, always lively and a little bit cheeky.

As the last season of True Detective taught us: time is a flat circle. TV shows will end, and TV shows will return - for better or worse.

She's the girl next door who has made a career out of being likeable and down to earth, but Sandra Bullock couldn't wait to sink her teeth into something nasty.

From Colin Craig in the sauna, to Neil Finn's calves going global and Wellington's tunnel pooper, Newsworthy's first five days have been very odd indeed.

Last Saturday, Rumon Gamba presided over the tense finale of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, impressing with his individual and alert musical support for two competitors who had opted for the Sibelius Concerto.

They still made it down under despite suffering a pyro accident just days ago. But could 5 Seconds of Summer still bring the heat? Rachel Bache was there.

Beautiful beyond belief, an exotic Caribbean flock, the dancers are spectacularly talented and drawn from a nation "born to dance".

It's in Campbell's Live old spot and is surely the cheapest reality show on air right now. But is Come Dine With Me actually a genius move by TV3?

A kid ate hash brownies on Shortland Street this week. This can only mean one thing: the whacky winter season is well and truly under way.

The dancing ‘soldier boys’ perfectly translate human strength and fragility in the war, writes Bernadette Rae.

A man with a bomb for a head cradling a baby. A human puppet controlled by chains. A war machine coming apart at the seams. And a cartoon rocket smiling as it drops bombs disguised as teeth.

Creepy and strange goings-on in new mystery/thriller series keep the cliffhangers coming for Karl Puschmann.

Here's a recent headline from the New York Post: "A$AP Rocky had three acid-fuelled orgies at SXSW."

Ever since Jerry Maguire showed him the money, Cameron Crowe has had a hard time making movies that stick.

Can the Entourage movie rise above being mere fan service? Or does it risk becoming another Sex and the City 2? Chris Schulz finds out.

As the cast go about their work it is clear that Hamlet is in the hands of seasoned professionals deeply committed to their craft and passionate in their engagement with Shakespeare’s language.

Once you know the story about Unknown Mortal Orchestra frontman Ruban Nielson's experience with polyamory while this album was in creation, it's hard to forget.

A small war in the contested Black Sea state of Abkhazia is the backdrop to this gripping and focused chamber piece, which made the final five in the best foreign film category at this year's Oscars.

Australian electronic duo Hermitude mix synth keys, deep bass and drums to create the sound of their fifth studio album, Dark Night Sweet Light.

Five Game of Thrones fans share their thoughts on season five's eighth episode, Hardhome.

Even by reality TV standards it seems a thin concept: take 10 public figures in varying stages of decline or repose, and see if any of them can learn to dance.

Death and the Maiden steers away from specific political considerations and takes on the more difficult issue of how to respond to the dehumanising effects of sanctioned cruelty.