Mel Campbell

Mel Campbell is a freelance cultural critic and university lecturer who writes on film, TV, literature and media, with particular interests in history, costume, screen adaptations and futurism. Her first book was the nonfiction investigation Out of Shape: Debunking Myths about Fashion and Fit (2013), and she has co-written two romantic comedy novels with Anthony Morris: The Hot Guy (2017) and Nailed It (2019).

Mel Campbell's Latest Articles

Features

Most underrated streaming shows of 2023

You've read the 'best of' lists but these are the less-hyped 2023 shows that are definitely worth watching.

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Master Gardener review: strangely sown seeds of optimism

The new film by Paul Schrader tackles racism, sexual power dynamics – and a touch of pruning.

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The Way We Wore, ABC review: fashion is the political

Celeste Barber hosts a thoughtful three-part series about the way fashion shapes our lives.

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Erotic Stories, SBS review: sexy in the right ways

The new Australian anthology series presents sex that's fun, respectful, safe ... and hot.

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While the Men Are Away, SBS review: desire will set you free

SBS's new dramedy nicely lampoons paranoid smalltown patriotism via the Women’s Land Army during WWII.

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Surviving Summer Season 2: making all the right waves

The Australian surfing hit is back in the water, with all the gloss and energy we've come to expect from…

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Bay of Fires on ABC review: excruciating attempts at comedy

The ABC's new show reels between comedy and drama in a stressful and frustrating way, hiding its stakes from both…

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Gold Diggers review: ABC comedy glisters but rarely shines

The 1850s Victorian gold rush is ripe for comedy but this broad and bawdy series sometimes feels like a summer-camp…

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The First Inventors on SBS review: a show that lets us listen and learn

The new Channel Ten/NITV documentary series, The First Inventors, celebrates over 65,000 years’ worth of innovation.

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Appetite on SBS review: a moreish, snackable treat

Set in Sydney, among the food-rider community, this six-episode mystery series is sure to whet viewers' appetites.

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