Saturday Morning With Jack Tame

Who doesn’t love a great roadie? Self-drive adventures rank highly in my pantheon of golden travel experiences and Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast touring route is a show-stopper. Bookended by Derry~Londonderry and Belfast Lough, this sublime 185km drive threads together a stirring mosaic of fishing villages, secluded beaches, wondrous rock formations, rugged coastlines, crumbling castles, storied history and mouth-watering scenery. Pointing the car northeast from Derry~Londonderry, I began tracing the nooks and crannies of Northern Ireland’s theatrical coastline by stopping off at Mussenden Temple. Dramatically perched on a cliff lording over Downhill Beach, this flamboyant folly was constructed in 1785 - inspired by the Temple of Vesta, near Rome. This circular stone temple served as a library and retreat for the eccentric Earl of Bristol who was also the Bishop of Derry (Earl Bishop), along with enormous views over the Atlantic Ocean. The setting is lip-smacking, wrapped in glorious estate gardens which

Whilst many of us are decking the halls and merrily celebrating, spare a thought for those who suffer from Christougenniatikophobia. Literally translated from Greek means Christ-related-birth-fear i.e., a phobia of Christmas.  Is it a real phobia? Not really.  Dougal Sutherland of Umbrella Wellbeing talked to Jack Tame about the discomfort and anxiety that surrounds Christmas for some people.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 20 December. Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 'age-old' advice of property investment is to buy the best house on the worst street. The idea of the advice is that property values have a higher ceiling in nicer areas, so renovating the worst home could bring in some good money Ed McKnight of Opes Partners discusses with Jack Tame whether the advice stands in today's economic climate.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been the year of AI.. and it seems we're just getting started  OpenAI is on track to hit $13B of 2025 revenue, up from $4B in 2024, according to The Information. It's looking at annualized revenue now of up to $19B.  But, Merriam Webster has named 'slop' as the word of the year - the dangerous byproduct of AI use.  Slop is "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence". You start to see it on Reddit, emails, documents.. it's now just so easy to create 'text' that it can appear in abundance - which isn't always ideal.    Passkeys are starting to have their moment too  The new alternative to passwords which verify the website you're trying to log into before actually sending any information to them. They're great because they eliminate phishing attacks, but.. they are a little tricky because unless they're shared to a password manager, they're stuck on that single device. So if you can't access that device, or it's d

Song Sung Blue  Starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman. Two down-on-their-luck performers form a Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams.  In cinemas January 1st.   My Brother’s Band   French film. Conductor Thibaut discovers he has leukaemia and needs a bone marrow donor. Learning of his adoption, he finds an older brother who works in a factory. Their reunion leads to a musical journey as the town faces a factory closure.  In cinemas December 26th. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of the most meaningful song of all time, what comes to mind? For Kevin Milne it's Silent Night. Jack Tame and Milne reflect on the significance of Christmas music.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Davies is known for his natural, relatable storytelling skills across the page, the stage, and the screen.  The comedian is a staple of British television, with roles on the long-running ‘Jonathan Creek’ and popular comedy panel show ‘QI’.   It’s been more than a decade since Davies last did a stand-up tour, but he’s happy to report it’s going well.  “It had been so long that it was feeling, beginning to feel like a gamble,” he told Jack Tame.  “I spent some time unpacking stuff from my childhood, doing a, writing about it, and that process took a while and changed a lot of how I viewed myself, and what I wanted to do, and what I wanted to say.  This show, ‘Think Ahead’, was created at around the same time Davies was writing another volume of his memoir ‘White Male Stand-Up', which deals with issues from Davies’ childhood, career, and his adult life.  “And I’ve got to a place now where I think the show’s really quite sort of, it’s a bit richer and deeper, and better than stu

It’s been a bit of an odd year in the music space.  With the rise of AI music, musicians pulling their work off Spotify in protest of the company and CEO, rising ticket prices, and tours cutting off before they hit New Zealand, it’s been rough for some fans.   Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to delve into some of the worst things about being a music fan in 2025.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Kahn   Q is out of MI6 . . . . . . and in over his head  After Major Boothroyd (aka Q) is unexpectedly ousted from his role with British Intelligence developing technologies for MI6's 00 agents, he finds himself back in his sleepy hometown of Wickstone-on-Water. His childhood friend, renowned quantum computer scientist Peter Napier, has died in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note. The police seem uninterested, but Q feels compelled to investigate and soon discovers that Napier's ground-breaking work may have attracted sinister forces... Can Q decode the truth behind Napier's death, even as danger closes in?     The Hawk is Dead by Peter James   Roy Grace never dreamed a murder investigation would take him deep into Buckingham Palace . . .  Her Majesty, Queen Camilla, is aboard the Royal Train heading to a charity event in Sussex when disaster strikes - the train is derailed.  A tragic accident or a planned attack?&nbs

"Fuelled by popular culture and history’s long shadow, Derry~Londonderry is enjoying its moment in the sun. The Walled City in Northern Ireland has stamped its mark on the tourist map, appealing to a broad band of visitors. On my recent swing through the island of Ireland, Derry~Londonderry certainly didn’t fail to impress, serving up a heady cocktail of colour, culture, and the echoes of extreme conflict." "The official name of this border town has long been the subject of a naming dispute between Irish nationalists and unionists. Generally, although not always, nationalists favour using the name Derry, and unionists favour Londonderry. On my approach to the city, I noticed most highway signs have had the Londonderry name scratched or painted over. And while I was in the “hyphenated city”, most locals I spoke to resolutely called the city simply Derry." Read Mike's full article. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Kiwis will be taking time off over the summer, and while most of us are probably looking forward to relaxing before next year kicks back in, some will be looking for things to do.  If you’re searching for ideas, Kate Hall has a few ideas for sustainable activities you can do over the summer break.  Waste audit  Go through one week's worth of rubbish and see what the main culprits are, then make a plan for how to reduce those in the new year (e.g. bread packets, see if your local bakery will let you bring your own cloth bag to get bread or find a recipe and start making your own).  Gardening  Start small with herbs or start even smaller by getting a book out of the library on gardening (Edible Garden by Kath Irvine is great and NZ based).  Pick your own fruit  Go to a pick-your-own berry spot and stock up – preserve or freeze them to eat all year round!   Beach cleanup  Attend a local one or do your own at your favourite beach (we enjoy beaches a lot during sum

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 13 December 2025, comedian Alan Davies joins Jack to discuss his return to the stand-up stage for the first time in a decade.  Jack weighs up who should take responsibility for children under 16 on social media.  Kevin Milne considers the use of AI when writing personal messages.  Nici Wickes goes savoury with a deceptively simple butterflied lamb leg and Dr Bryan Betty shares important tips on staying safe this summer.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, I realise it won’t be summer for another week or so, but the following observations are just a few Gardeners’ Tips to muck around with:  Ancistrocerus gazella is an introduced “potters wasp” from Europe. It got here decades ago and is a really cute predatory wasp that does some great things in your quarter acre paradise. This little wasplet makes nice nests inside hollow tubes and then it goes on the hunt for small caterpillars, usually the leafrollers that silk your leaves together and chew from within their leaf-silk tent.  Ancistrocerus paralyses the caterpillars, lays an egg on them and cements the quarry and its own potential baby inside the carefully chosen tube. Of course, the caterpillar will become food for the ectoparasite, and this helps to reduce the chewing damage on your roses, perennials and other plants.  Here’s a tip: create a bunch of small-diameter bamboo tubes as a choice of real estate for these wasps to live in. The accommodation runs a little bit like that of the ma

Summer is fun however it’s good to remember how to stay safe when it comes to things like sun, food, insects, and alcohol. Here’s what to watch out for and how to stay safe over the holidays.   The number one thing to think about the sun – it makes us feel good but can cause harm!   Sunburn sets us up for skin cancer. Be especially careful with children!   Use SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapply every 2–3 hours and after swimming.   Wear hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing.   Remember: UV is highest between 10am and 4pm.  Stay hydrated. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can develop quickly, especially in the elderly and small children.   Keep food safe especially in the heat   We increase the risk of food poisoning over summer due to the heat, which encourages bacteria.  Keep food cold and covered – use chilly bins/ice packs.   Follow the 2-hour rule – avoid leaving food out in heat for more than 2 hours   Wash hands and utensils to prevent spread of germs.

Disney characters are coming to Sora   The three-year partnership with OpenAI will bring Disney’s iconic characters to the company’s Sora AI video generator. But no voices will come with them, and only animated characters will be included, like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and Simba.  A key part of this deal: Disney is also making a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI. And the user-generated creations will be able to be used by Disney on things like Disney+.   I'm surprised Disney did this deal. They’re known in the industry as having some of the strictest rules about how their IP can be used. They're suing Midjourney for IP breaches, so maybe this is their way to profit from what they already know will happen even if they choose not to be involved.     Reddit doesn't think it should be banned for kids in Australia   It's making two arguments: first it says that the law limits free political discourse of children. This feels weak.   It's second argument feels stronger: it ca

The Abandons  In 1850s Washington, two families led by powerful matriarchs — one wealthy, one poor but deeply loyal — battle for supremacy on the lawless frontier (Netflix).     Trigger Point Death is always just a heartbeat away for bomb disposal officer Lana Washington. In the new season, what appears to be a bomb threat in central London soon reveals itself as something far more sinister (TVNZ+).   Fisk  Family feuds. Money squabbles. Wobbly furniture. A no-nonsense lawyer joins a low-rent wills and probate firm after her marriage and career implode (Netflix).    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay Kelly   Famous movie star Jay Kelly and his devoted manager, Ron, embark on an unexpectedly profound journey through Europe. Along the way, both men confront the choices they've made, relationships with loved ones, and the legacies they'll leave behind.    Beat the Lotto   Almost everyone has played the Lottery and everyone would like to win it. Whitaker's documentary tells the story of Stefan, the man who tried to beat the Lotto system by attempting to fix the draw, an act that divided the nation.    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This slow-cooked lamb dish is a festive treat and it’s super simple to make spectacular with a final flourish of pomegranate jewels and fresh herbs that make the whole thing feel properly celebratory.      Ingredients  1 butterflied leg of lamb (1.6–2kg)   3–4 garlic cloves, slivered   Zest and juice of 1 orange   2 tbsp olive oil   2 tbsp runny honey   1 tbsp Dijon mustard   1 tsp each ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika   1 tsp flaky sea salt   Freshly ground black pepper   2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped   1 cup chicken or vegetable stock   ½ cup white wine (optional)   To finish: Pomegranate seeds, mint leaves, flat-leaf parsley, extra orange zest     Method  Start by laying the lamb out flat and making small slits across the flesh so you can slip in those slivers of garlic. It’s a tiny bit of extra effort but the flavour reward is enormous.   In a small bowl whisk together the orange z

These days there seems to be nothing AI can’t do for you. Write emails, grocery lists, stories, summaries, and even Christmas messages.  But should you be getting an AI to write what should be a heartfelt personal message? Kevin Milne can’t help but find the thought of connecting with friends and loved ones this way extremely shabby.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.