Sam Campbell's new sitcom Make That Movie is a gloriously absurd mockumentary that celebrates bad filmmaking in all its forms. Campbell, known for his unhinged appearances on Taskmaster and Last One Laughing, has created a show that feels like a love letter to films like Birdemic: Shock and Terror – a famously inept but endearing low-budget bird attack movie.
In Make That Movie, Campbell plays a version of himself, a once-big-shot movie director who now drives around in a van with a giant model camera on top, helping people make bizarre low-budget films based on their ideas. The show is packed with absurdity: CGI snakes, animated feet, and a grotesque AI chatbot called Superbreast. Each episode follows a new character, their film idea, and the production process, culminating in the finished product – all within 23 minutes.
Pure Comedy Without Trauma
The show is a refreshing departure from recent trends where comedy often tries to justify itself with trauma. Campbell's humor is unapologetically silly, and the show celebrates comedy as an artform. It's a sign that television is moving away from the decade-long tailspin of fear and embracing pure, unadulterated laughter.
Campbell's Unique Perspective
Campbell, an Australian living in England, brings a unique outsider perspective. He's visibly baffled by British culture, from children's book characters to films about football hooliganism. When these subjects collide, it creates some of the most gleefully inexplicable moments in the series.
While the fast-paced format sometimes leaves little room to breathe, it's a minor criticism. Make That Movie is a show that only Campbell could have made, and it deserves to be paraded around the streets. Hopefully, it's a sign that Campbell will become a fixture on television for years to come.
