Saturday Morning With Jack Tame

I’m a slave to social media and it drives me nuts.   I feel compelled to have Twitter and Facebook for work. Instagram for socialising. I wisely never touch TikTok because from all accounts, that’s the most addictive platform of the lot. But if I have to battle to stop myself from reflexively picking up my phone and checking the ‘gram, I can’t imagine how hard it is for the generations who’ve never known a world without smart phones.  Australia looks set to forge ahead with a ban on social media for young people. The South Australian government will ban it for kids under 14 and put the onus on the platforms to use age verification tools in making sure younger kids aren’t setting up accounts. 14 and 15 years olds will need explicit parental permission to access the likes of Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and X.   But is that excessive? Is social media really comparable to booze or tobacco? And if it’s causing harm, is it really the state’s job to step in?   I’m a huge fan of the work of U.S Social Psychologist Jo

As Kevin Milne watched the US Presidential Debate this past week, one comment reminded him of a similar scaremongering scandal from his youth in Christchurch.  Donald Trump, in one of his tirades against immigration, accused Haitian migrants in Springfield of eating other people’s pets – an accusation with no basis or evidence, just like the one Kevin remembers from 1950s Christchurch.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lord of the Rings franchise is held very near and dear to many Kiwi’s hearts, and the brand-new retelling of the franchise has been nothing but popular upon it’s release.  The Rings of Power had an estimated 25 million viewers tune in for its Season 1 premiere, and it’s second season has begun.  It’s set thousands of years before the events of JRR Tolkein’s novels, with Middle Earth’s infamous villain inhabiting a flesh and blood body for the first time on screen.  Australian actor Charlie Vickers plays Sauron, a twist only revealed in the final episode of the first season, as his charismatic Halbrand was unmasked.  The twist was something of a surprise to Vickers as well, as he only found out after they had begun filming.  “I filmed the first two episodes of the show, not knowing I was playing Sauron,” he told Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame.  “And then they called me into their office in Henderson and they said, you’re, so it turns out that Halbrand is Sauron.”  “I was left reeling, in a good way.”  LISTEN ABOV

No matter how smart you are, you’re always at risk of getting caught by a scam. They’re on the rise lately, and even those who know all the signs and think they’ve taken all of the precautions are finding themselves on the sharp end of the stick.  Kevin Milne is rather familiar with scams and consumer affairs, but a recent incident had him cancelling his credit card as quick as possible.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short n’ Sweet, Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album was an instant success. Released on August 23rd, it was her first album to top the Billboard 200 chart, and was the third biggest debut week for an album in the US in 2024.  It’s a 12 track album, mixing influences of country, rock, disco, and R&B with Carpenter’s signature pop style.   Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to give her thoughts on the release.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson  The crumbling house - Burton Makepeace and its chatelaine the Dowager Lady Milton - suffered the loss of their last remaining painting of any value, a Turner, some years ago. The housekeeper, Sophie, who disappeared the same night, is suspected of stealing it.  Jackson, a reluctant hostage to the snowstorm, has been investigating the theft of another The Woman with a Weasel, a portrait, taken from the house of an elderly widow, on the morning she died. The suspect this time is the widow’s carer, Melanie. Is this a coincidence or is there a connection? And what secrets does The Woman with a Weasel hold? The puzzle is Jackson’s to solve. And let’s not forget that a convicted murderer is on the run on the moors around Burton Makepeace.  All the while, in a bid to make money, Burton Makepeace is determined to keep hosting a shambolic Murder Mystery that acts as a backdrop while the real drama is being played out in the house.    Safe Enough by Lee Child  From the w

"After taking my fill of nature’s feisty features at Volcanoes National Park, the sun, the sand and the coastal draws of the Big Island were calling. The Kona Coast is a 100km long sweep along Hawai’i’s western coast, brimming with attractions and experiences that smashed my expectations. Lined with lava fields, coffee farms, and some of Hawaii’s most beautiful coastline, I wish I’d set aside more time on the Big Island to delve into its numerous delights. There are charms at every turn. The beating heart of the tourist scene is Kailua-Kona, the colourful and bustling town a short distance from Kona Airport. It incorporates Kailua Village which once a sleepy fishing village and retreat for Hawaiian royalty." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 7th of September 2024, star of the 'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ series Charlie Vickers chats with Jack about what it's like to be Middle Earth's most infamous villain.  Bananagrams anyone? Jack ponders how astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will pass their unexpectedly extended time in space.   Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! 36 years on from the original, the Deetz family is back - Francesca Rudkin gives the details on just how the Burtonian spirit stacks up.  Lee Child moves away from his well-known character Jack Reacher in his brand-new book. Reviewer Catherine Raynes shares her thoughts on Child's storytelling skills.  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.

On the face of it the 4-day working week sounds like a good thing, but the devil is in the detail. Recently in the UK the government has indicated they may strengthen workers' rights to request this – however, it’s the right to request 40 hours compressed into 4 10 hour days, rather than 5 8-hour days. Although it might sound attractive at first, I’m not sure this is sustainable in the longer term, particularly for those who have family. If you include travel time, it could be that you end up being away from home from 7am – 7pm. Which would leave you Friday to recover and could ultimately lead to burnout.  A better option could be the 100/80/100 4-day working week: 100% of pay, 80% of time, 100% of productivity. Initially pioneered by NZ firm Perpetual Guardian and taken up by hundreds of organisations around the world – although interestingly very few in NZ.  It’s based on the idea that during a typical 5-day week there are only limited periods when we are productive – some estimate that it’s only about 30%

Why is prostate cancer a problem?  - It occurs in the prostate, a gland that sits below the bladder and produces fluid for semen.  - It’s the second highest cause of cancer death in men. 4000 are diagnosed a year, and 700 men die a year.  - Over time the number of people being diagnosed, and death rate is dropping due to increased testing.  - If you are diagnosed: 90% of men are alive after 5 years, and 90% alive after 10 years due to early treatment, and sometimes the cancer is slow growing.       Are there symptoms that can indicate prostate cancer?  Things to look out for:  - A need to urinate urgently, difficulty with getting started and weak urine stream, dribbling after finish, blood in the urine.  - However, these can be due to other ‘benign’ prostate problems:  - BPH – Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy: the prostate getting larger with age, but it’s not cancerous  - Prostatitis: an infection of the prostate  If you notice any of these symptoms you need to talk to your GP.     Should we be doing anything to

Jacob Anderson is an old mate from Sir Peter Blake Trust (Blake Inspire), who’s finally got his PhD and moved to the USA, taking up a job working on Climate Change.  These observations are about the effect of climate change and how critters adapt to the cold.    The Greenland wolf  The Greenland wolf is a subspecies of the grey wolf, and their population is sitting at around 200. Their range is in the ice-free areas of northeast Greenland. Their main prey are hares, but they also eat the calves of musk oxen and seals.  In the late early 1900’s a population in east Greenland was poisoned to extinction. But they were not considered high economic value due to their low abundance, compared to the fur trade of the Arctic fox.  They have small pack sizes – usually only 3 or 4 members.  Greenland wolf spoor.    Arctic mosquito   Arctic mosquitoes serve as an important food source to other animals. They are notorious for their role as pests to humans and wildlife, including caribou, whose populations can be affected

Elon Musk may have a new job if Donald Trump wins the Presidency  He's already got X, SpaceX, and Tesla, and now he could be heading up a committee to audit the Federal government.  We know little about the idea other than this group would develop a plan to eliminate "fraud and improper payments" within six months of being formed. There are better uses for Elon Muck's talents at the Federal level than an accounting auditor!  Trump's “Make America Great Again” came from Ronald Reagan, who also happened to have a similar body during his term in the 80s called the Grace Commission.    Apple's support for USB-A could be ending soon  Apple has their Fall product launch next week, and while we are 99.99% confident we'll get a new iPhone, the reporting that's got my attention is about the Mac Mini. Reports suggest the new model may remove all the USB-A ports. They've already disappeared from the MacBooks, which suggests time is up on USB-A.    Tech used for good!  A lost three-year-old in a corn field the size of

The Perfect Couple   When a lavish wedding ends in disaster before it can even begin - with a body discovered just hours before the ceremony - everyone in the wedding party is a suspect (Netflix).   The Body Next Door   In 2015, the Welsh village of Beddau found itself in shock when a prank involving a 'medical skeleton' revealed a dead body wrapped in plastic, setting the police on a global investigation to identify the victim (TVNZ+).   The Boy That Never Was   An earthquake shatters Harry and Robin's life in Morocco, and their child, Dillon, vanishes without a trace. Three years later, Harry spots a boy resembling Dillon with a red-haired woman at a crowded train station in Dublin city centre (TVNZ+).    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice   Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife. When someone says Beetlejuice's name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.    Borderlands  Returning to her home planet Pandora, an infamous bounty hunter forms an unexpected alliance with a ragtag team of misfits. Together, they battle alien monsters and dangerous bandits to uncover one of Pandora's most explosive secrets.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This slice is a classic and so easy to make! The tamarillo jam is a lovely surprise.   Make 16-20 pieces    Ingredients   6-8 large tamarillo, halved and flesh scooped and diced   ¼ cup sugar   120g butter, softened  1/3 cup caster sugar  2 large eggs, separated  1 tsp vanilla extract  1 ½ cups flour, sifted  ½ cup walnut meal   1 tsp baking powder  ½ cup caster sugar  ½ cup desiccated coconut    Method  1. Make a quick tamarillo jam by simmering fruit with sugar for 15-20 minutes until thickened slightly. Cool.   2. Preheat oven to 180 C. Lightly grease and line sandwich tin.  3. Beat butter and sugar until light and creamy then add egg yolks and vanilla and beat until combined.  Fold in flour, walnut meal and baking powder and stir until it starts to come together. Tumble mixture (it will be clumpy crumbs) into prepared tin and press out evenly. Chill for 10 minutes.  4. Spread cooled tamarillo jam evenly over chilled base.   5. Beat the egg whites until foamy then gradually add sugar and beat until sugar

Can you play Bananagrams in space?   Something tells me that with the whole gravity situation, they perhaps don’t recommend anything with lots of little parts. Anything that’s hard to keep as a full set on Earth is automatically disqualified from the International Space Station.   No Bananagrams. No Monopoly. No scrabble, either.  But Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are gonna have to find something to fill their time.   An hour from now, the Boeing space vehicle that transferred them up to the space station is going to undock, propel itself into the Earth’s atmosphere, and hopefully for the sake of Boeing’s ever-sinking share price and diminished reputation, land safely in a New Mexico desert. Butch and Suni will be stuck with no way home, orbiting the Earth at 28 thousand kilometres an hour.   I love space. I love the mind-melting distances, the extremes of energy and heat. I love the endlessness of its unknown. Supermassive black holes. I love the maths, even if I don’t understand it. And given human life g

The Paralympics got underway this week in Paris, and for the first time in 16 years, Team New Zealand is missing a familiar face.  Dame Sophie Pascoe, New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian, has decided to forgo this year’s Games in favour of staying home with her young baby.   Pascoe is a 4-time Paralympian, bringing home a total of 19 medals – 11 Gold, 7 Silver, and 1 Bronze.  However, while she may not be competing this year, that doesn’t mean she’s uninvolved, as Pascoe is presenting New Zealand’s TV coverage of the Games.  She told Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame that as the Paralympics came closer she was feeling a bit nervous about presenting, as well as a bit of FOMO from not being over at the Games, however when they began she was content with her role.  “I'm right where I need to be with my family, with my baby and right here, presenting and helping out the Paralympic team, but still feeling like I'm part of the team, but just in such a different capacity.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pr

A change of pace from John Legend, as he releases an album of “sing-alongs and lullabies for children and families”.  My Favorite Dream is Legend’s 10th studio album, featuring nine originals, three covers of Fisher-Price songs, and three bonus tracks.  Legend says he was inspired to make the album both by his own experience as a child and his experience as a father to four children.  Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to give her thoughts on the release.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn  Washington, D.C., 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boardinghouse in the heart of the nation’s capital, where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; police officer’s daughter Nora, who is entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Bea, whose career has ended along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare.  Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. When a shocking act of violence tears apart the house, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: Who is the true enemy in their mid

"If you’re planning a jaunt to the Big Island of Hawai’i, get in the hot seat. Immerse yourself in the might, power and wonder of nature’s cauldron. I recently took my first foray to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The sheer size of the park is staggering – nearly as big as the entire island of O’ahu. The park climbs from sea level to over 4000 metres and encompasses two volcanoes – Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes and Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcanic mountain." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.