Saturday Morning for Saturday 19 February 2022

8.10 Rose Matafeo: ‘no one should go out with a comedian’

Rather than being ‘starstruck’ New Zealander Rose Matafeo has herself truly struck star status. The Guardian named Matafeo "arguably the breakout star of 2021" after the sitcom she created, co-writes, produces and stars in became the BBC’s best-performing comedy within weeks of launch.

Now, a second season of Starstruck has just landed to more good reviews. In the warm-hearted series Matafeo plays a character not too-far removed from real life: a Kiwi living in London who unknowingly hooks up with a famous actor, with much romcom confusion and hilarity following. 

Based in London since 2016, Matafeo won the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show in 2018, becoming the first New Zealander to do so.

Starstuck season two is available for streaming on TVNZ On Demand, and airs weekly on TV2.

 

8.30 Chris Smith: Covid-19 science news 

Our regular commentator, Cambridge University consultant clinical virologist Dr Chris Smith joins us with the latest Covid-19 science, and to answer your questions.

New Zealand is dealing with record Covid-19 case numbers in the community. Modelling predictions point to a peak of 10,000 daily cases next month, which has experts doubling down on advice to get boosted. The latest research published by the UK health Security Agency shows that while two doses of vaccine provide significant short-term protection, that protection wanes significantly after six months. In the case of the Pfizer vaccine, effectiveness fell to 51 percent. 

Send your questions for Dr Chris Smith to saturday@rnz.co.nz or text 2101.

 

9.05 Rutger Bregman: are humans actually hardwired for kindness?

Between panic buying and violent protests, the global pandemic has highlighted some of humankind’s worst behaviours. But Dutch writer and historian Rutger Bregman insists that despite being painted as a selfish species, humans are inherently hardwired for kindness.

In his latest book Humankind: A Hopeful History, Bregman argues that we are evolutionarily geared toward cooperation rather than competition. He says history shows that in times of crisis most people start to band together, regardless of their economic status, generational gaps or political positioning.

Bregman’s previous book Utopia for Realists was published in 2016.

 

9.35 Wendy Mitchell: what you need to know about dementia

Wendy Mitchell was diagnosed with young-onset dementia in 2014, when she was just 58 years old. But, rather than this signaling the start of a total decline, for Mitchell the diagnosis offered a new beginning. Shocked by the lack of awareness about dementia, she has dedicated her life to changing perceptions and proving life remains for the living. 

Mitchell’s new book What I Wish People Knew About Dementia explores the experience of living with dementia and follows her celebrated 2018 memoir Somebody I Used to Know.

Yorkshire-based, Mitchell is an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society and in 2019 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Health by the University of Bradford. She blogs almost daily at Which Me Am I Today?

 

10.05 Playing Favourites with architect Julie Stout

Architect, educator, activist and ambassador Julie Stout has been named the New Zealand Institute of Architects 2021 Gold Medallist, the highest award an architect can receive in Aotearoa.

Over the course of her career, Stout has turned her hand to a wide range of architectural projects — designing homes, galleries and public buildings. It has also been a life of dualities, balancing sailing and architecture with her partner David Mitchell, who died in 2018. The couple’s travels across Asia and the Pacific had a strong influence on their work together.

Stout’s interests are also steeped in urban development, and the ideas that guide Auckland’s growth. She recently stepped down from ten years as Chair of Urban Auckland, where she led civic action for port relocation and quality long-term planning for the city and Waitematā Harbour.

 

11.05 Chris Kraus: murder and meth in Minnesota

Chris Kraus’ upcoming novel The Four Spent the Day Together tells the story of a violent methamphetamine murder involving four teenagers on the Iron Range of Minnesota. Set to be published in part in serial form by New York online magazine Broadcast next month, Kraus hopes the story will reveal something of the existential state of the American heartland.

Best-known for the semi-autobiographical novel I Love Dick, Los Angeles-based Kraus spent much of her teenage years in New Zealand, studying at Victoria University and working as a journalist.

Kraus also contributes to Clinic of Phantasms, a collection of the writings of her late friend, New Zealand artist and curator Giovanni Intra, to be published shortly by new imprint Bouncy Castle.

 

11.40 Sam Trubridge: making the city a theatre during Covid

In a summer of Covid cancellations, Performance Arcade is one of the few festivals still standing. Now in its 11th year, a set of shipping containers on the Wellington waterfront is temporary home to an eclectic array of experimental ‘live art’ and a live music programme. 

It’s the vision of artistic director Sam Trubridge, whose career has been all about exploring the potential for the arts outside conventional venues. Such an interest may reflect his upbringing: he and his brother, world record-breaking freediver William spent nine years of their childhood on a boat, raised by artist parents Linda and David Trubridge.

Performance Arcade runs Thursdays to Sundays until February 27. 

 

Books mentioned on this show:
 

Humankind: A Hopeful History
By Rutger Bregman
Publisher: Bloomsbury
ISBN: 9781408898956

What I Wish People Knew About Dementia
By Wendy Mitchell
Publisher: Bloomsbury
ISBN: 9781526646880 

After Kathy Acker
By Chris Kraus
Publisher:Semiotext(e)
ISBN: 9781635900569

Aliens and Anorexia
By Chris Kraus
Publisher: Semiotext(e)
ISBN: 1584351268

Clinic of Phantasms: Writings 1994-2002
Giovanni Intra
Publisher: Semiotext(e) and Bouncy Castle
ISBN: 9781635901658

 

Music featured on this show:

The Great Curve
Angelique Kidjo
Played at 10.12am
 

Queen of the Slipstream        
Van Morrison
Played at 10.31am
 

Walk Around the House        
The Front Lawn
Played at 10.45am

Aotearoa (feat. Ria Hall, Troy Kingi & Maisey Rika)  
Stan Walker
Played at 10.55am

Postman
Toro Y Moi
Played at 11.40am