The biggest Boiler Room stories, updated
The biggest Boiler Room stories, updated
Sometimes, you've gotta have a montage.
You know that episode of The Simpsons where they’re all sitting around on the couch reminiscing about past adventures? The one that’s mostly made up of footage from old episodes pulled together quickly so all the writers could have a holiday?
That’s what I’m doing today, in newsletter format.
Wait! Stop! Don’t go! I promise there are fascinating updates on everything I’ve ever covered here, including the Sky World and St James messes, UFC fighter-turned-bank-robber Lee Murray, my biggest ever story on Woodstock ‘99, TVNZ’s crap streaming service, whether or not we can watch The Bureau yet, and why I quit (and came back to) my newsletter.
Unlike that episode of The Simpsons, I’ve put plenty of effort into this one. There’s something in here for everyone. Promise.
-Chris
What's going on at Auckland's iMax building?
Have you been to Sky World lately? If not, you should go take a look. It is beyond bleak: the digital display screams “DARKOP” at you, the entrance smells like piss, the food court is closed off, and renovations appear to have been abandoned. Only the video game arcade, theatre and bowling alley remain open, and the rocket ship elevator is often out of service. It is, if you have a few million to spare, up for sale. It’s been on the market for months. Also, someone tried to burn it down. Good times! The only pleasing thing is that bonkers bakery “Bake My Day” remains blissfully stuck in time, a final remnant of what Sky World once was. This place needs a minor miracle. My hopes are not high it will ever get it.
'Have you heard about this UFC fighter who robbed a bank?'
Matthew Nelson made my favourite podcast of 2021, a crazed two-parter called The Takedown about UFC fighter Lee Murray. The muscled-up street brawler was a terrifying opponent inside the ring, but it was what he was up to outside of it that caught Matthew’s attention. His podcast details Britain’s biggest money heist and it’s God-level story-telling, full of rogues, rascals and Guy Ritchie escapades. I re-listen to it frequently. Other people think it’s good too: since his podcast came out, Matthew’s seen his story turned into the four-part TV show Catching Lightning. You can binge it on TVNZ+ now and you totally should – it has a forensic-level crime scene breakdown and might be even better than Matthew’s podcast (please don’t tell him I said this).
'I was harassed non-stop, touched by strangers, groped in crowds'
As the Netflix documentary about Woodstock ‘99 loomed, I spoke to several people who attended the ill-fated music festival. The first post did well but it was the second that really took off: it remains Boiler Room’s most popular read. In it, Tamera Pierson recalled how the badly-organised festival descended into bro hell. “I was harassed non-stop to show my tits, touched by strangers, even groped in crowds,” she told me. “These pigs just marched around spewing harassment and smashing things.” Trainwreck: Woodstock ‘99 remains riveting viewing, but the fascination in troubled music festivals hasn’t stopped: recently I covered both Electric Zoo and Burning Man, which descended into chaos across the same weekend. You can also, if you desire, buy tickets for the return of Billy McFarland’s Fyre Fest. Please don’t do this.
The St James Theatre is another messy situation
No, it’s not – we saved it! Well, not me, exactly, but those who cared enough and campaigned hard to finally, just a few months back, see some results. A quick recap: the central Auckland music venue was languishing, mired in red tape and needing funding to continue on with earthquake strengthening and a full restoration. Now, thanks to a $15 million pledge from the government, and $15 million matched by Auckland Council, owner Steve Bielby has enough to start fixing it up. I attended the July announcement where Chlöe Swarbrick was so happy she began singing, and dancing, then did a few fist pumps. I felt like it too. What a result. You can follow Bielby’s restoration process over on Instagram via his account Once Upon A Rebuild.
Why can't we all binge The Bureau together?
Great show! The French spy caper is full of good-looking agents that work together, sleep together, scowl at each other and get up to no good while trying to catch troublemakers. I wrote about this series in 2021, back when everyone stuck in overseas Covid lockdowns appeared to be happily bingeing their way through all five seasons (kind of like how everyone’s watching Suits now). Sad news: you still can’t watch this one. It’s not streaming on any local services. Sorry! If it’s any consolation, we also can’t see How To With John Wilson (it should be on Neon, but isn’t), the third season of Reservation Dogs has been delayed until October 25, and there’s no sign of the BBC crime miniseries The Gold. You’ll just have to … ahem … find another way.
TVNZ is screwing up its own streaming service - still
TVNZ+ has so much great content. Pound for pound it’s up there with our strongest streamers Netflix, Neon, Apple TV+ and Disney+. But using the damn thing is another matter. Back in 2021, I begged and pleaded for a paid version to make all those ads stop. Since then? It’s gotten worse. Trying to make my way through the fourth season of Taskmaster NZ was the most painful viewing experience of my life. Without fail, every episode would crash after the third ad break. I’d have to restart the app, then rewatch multiple ad breaks to return to where I was. Sometimes the sound is completely out of time with the action, or missing completely. Unless there’s a show I desperately want to see, I’m going to be avoiding TVNZ+ for the near future. Shame.
Why I killed my Substack newsletter (then came back)
I did do this! In 2021 I got a proper job and gave up my newsletter. I’ve since left that job so, here I am, back Substacking as much as I can. Things have really changed, huh? Over the past two years I’ve become increasingly dismayed at the lack of entertainment coverage in local media. As newsrooms are shredded, most of the jobs covering music, TV, film, live gigs, arts and culture have disappeared. Major stories are going untold every day. People aren’t being interviewed, festivals aren’t being covered, albums aren’t being reviewed, movies aren’t being talked about and all sorts of important news is being ignored. (I had a gut howl about this here.) The response has proved I’m not the only one feeling fucked off about it. So, here I am, flying the flag for local entertainment reporting. I know I have a mountain to climb, but I want to do something about this, and I’m determined to make it work.
So here’s my plea: if you can, please become a paying subscriber so I can keep doing this. With enough support I can do so much more, including bringing other voices into the mix. Here’s my promise: I’m here for the long haul.