ALT: Julian Clary Taskmaster

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The Guardian reviews Sam Campbell’s new Channel 4 sitcom Make That Movie, describing it as an absurd, high-concept mockumentary that may be one of the most original comedy series of the year. Known for his unconventional performances on Taskmaster and Last One Laughing, Campbell is portrayed as an almost alien comedic presence whose work consistently defies traditional expectations of narrative or emotional realism. In Make That Movie, Campbell plays a fictionalised version of himself: a once-successful film director who now travels around in a van topped with a giant model camera, creating strange low-budget films based on people’s eccentric ideas. Each episode compresses a full production cycle into roughly 23 minutes, including the pitch, casting, filming and final screening of bizarre projects. Examples include a thriller where characters intermittently transform into snakes, and a cyber-themed story in which pensioners enter computers by singing and inserting USB cables into their mouths. Other segments feature surreal additions such as animated feet and artificial intelligence chatbots used for comedic effect. The review highlights the show’s relentless pace and dense structure, noting that while it can feel rushed due to the number of ideas packed into each episode, this frantic energy may be part of its intended style. The comedy is described as deliberately nonsensical, leaning heavily into absurdism and parodying both low-budget filmmaking and cultural clichés. Campbell’s perspective as an Australian working within British culture also plays a role, with the series exploring his outsider view of UK quirks such as children’s literary icons and fascination with football hooligan films. The reviewer praises the show as a celebration of comedy for its own sake, contrasting it with recent trends in television that often over-explain humour through emotional backstory. Ultimately, Make That Movie is presented as a uniquely strange and energetic series that showcases Campbell’s distinctive comedic voice.

YouTube video by 4Entertains

Australian comedian Sam Campbell has cemented his reputation as one of the most unconventional voices in contemporary comedy, with a career that has rapidly expanded since relocating to the UK in the early 2020s. Known for his surreal, improvisational style and deadpan absurdism, Campbell first gained widespread recognition after winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2022. He followed this with high-profile appearances on programmes such as Taskmaster, Would I Lie to You?, QI, and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, where his unpredictable humour and eccentric persona made him a standout performer. His most recent breakthrough came with his participation in Last One Laughing UK, where his refusal to break character and bizarre comedic choices further reinforced his status as an outsider figure in mainstream comedy. Campbell’s humour blends childlike silliness with conceptual absurdity, often challenging conventional observational comedy formats. This reputation has now culminated in his own Channel 4 sitcom, Make That Movie, a deliberately strange meta-comedy about a fictionalised version of Campbell who directs absurd films sourced from public ideas. The show features a dysfunctional film crew and rotating guest performers from the alternative comedy scene, with each episode presenting bizarre, low-budget cinematic creations that range from surreal animation to chaotic narrative experiments. Campbell’s collaborators describe the production as instinct-driven and loosely structured, embracing spontaneity over traditional scripting. The series also reflects his broader comedic philosophy: finding structure within chaos and treating even the most ridiculous concepts with earnest commitment. Despite his growing fame, Campbell remains enigmatic in interviews, often deflecting attempts to rationalise his creative process. His work continues to divide audiences, but it has also built a devoted following who appreciate his refusal to conform to standard comedic expectations. Make That Movie positions him firmly as a leading figure in experimental comedy on British television.

YouTube video by 4Entertains

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Listen to Trusty Hogs - Ep188. TIM KEY & SAM CAMPBELL / Working, Whining & Wallis Island by Audio Always on Podcast Addict. Two cult comedy legends and absolute agents of chaos join us this week, but thankfully Helen's at the helm to keep us all grounded... Tim Key & Sam Campbell run amok with Catherine away in Tenerife!FOLLOW TIM: @TimKeyPoetFOLLOW SAM: @McDonaldsComedyNEW MERCH: www.trustyhogs.com/merchThank you so much for listening!Support us at www.patreon.com/TrustyHogs for exclusive bonus con

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