Rape, torture, brutal assaults, and bath tubs full of human excrement - was the opening episode of the new season of Sons of Anarchy too much? Chris Philpott investigates.

Check out the new video from Auckland alternative hip-hop artist Randa, called Cosby Kid. Director: Thunderlips. Producers: Anna Duckworth and Alix Whittaker.

What makes a TV show funny? Chris Philpott investigates.

Get ready for a serious case of ADD: no band on the upcoming bill for Auckland's Laneway Festival will play for longer than 45 minutes.

The Big Day Out came back with a bang. Here are the best bits - and one gripe - from a day otherwise full of highlights.

It may have had the old name - and some of its old bands - but this Big Day Out felt like a whole new event.

The Big Day Out has returned to New Zealand this year. Check out the photos from the festival.

Snoop Dogg, Lion or Zilla? The big question hanging over the Big Day Out headliner's sideshow tonight seemed to be exactly which version of the hip-hop chameleon would show up.

Chris Philpott takes in the first two episodes of the third season of Girls - and likes what he sees.

P-Money, Alisa Xayalith and Rodney Fisher give us a guided tour of the new-look Big Day Out.

NZ Big Day Out promoter Campbell Smith gave NZ Herald Online's Hugh Sundae a chauffeur-driven tour of the festival's new home at Auckland's Western Springs park.

Chris Philpott predicts big things for Matthew McConaughey, thanks to his role in True Detective.

Anyone highly sensitive about the endless servings of food and cooking shows that fill our television screens should probably read no further.

It's time for the glitz and glamour of the Golden Globes - the first awards bash of the season that honours everything that's been good about movies and television from the past 12 months.

TV showman seen climbing between Sydney apartment balconies before fatal fall.

TV reviewer Chris Philpott laments the demise of Californication, saying the once great show has become stale and predictable.

We trawl through the gossip mags, so you don't have to.

Dominic Corry unveils his 10 most anticipated films of 2014.

Relegated to the summer viewing wilderness, wedding dressmaker show feels oddly mean-spirited, writes Colin Hogg.

Paul Casserly looks over upcoming TV events that, like it or not, are bound to get everyone talking.

Auckland's Laneway music festival has suffered a second blow, with headliner James Blake pulling out to attend the Grammy Awards just weeks before the event.

When TV is bad, what do you watch? Blogger Chris Philpott has a few suggestions.

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes has hinted that the next series of the hit show could be its last.

Crowds gather and acts take the stage to perform at Rhythm and Vines during the annual three-day music festival held at Waiohika Estate Vineyard in Gisborne.

There's no such thing as bad television. There's just some stuff you wouldn't watch unless your life depended on it, and that's a little hard to imagine.