An early comics book writer inspired today’s TV writing. The Umbrella Academy (Netflix), based on the comic book by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, tops binge-worthy TV lists this month. Mary J. Blige plays Cha-Cha, an assassin that can travel through time.
Christos Kalohoridis / Netflix
Our current golden age of TV storytelling is influenced by comic books, in particular, one writer: Chris Claremont pushed boundaries and gave audiences strong female leads and deeply involved dramas.
Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette received critical acclaim around the world.
WENN
This year, The Conversation celebrated the 50th anniversary of 1968 with its first podcast, 'Heat and Light.' These are some of the most interesting stories we uncovered – ones that still resonate in 2018.
Tidelands, is a speculative story about half-human/half-siren beings who live in the coastal Queensland town of Orphelin Bay. Unfortunately, it is not always a success.
'Heavy' media multitaskers performed worse on attention and memory tests – and some even had structural brain differences.
A YouTube producer trying to create a parody of ‘The Simpsons’ found out that Apu is being phased out of the show. While many will miss Apu, others reflect on what his character represents – a flat stereotype of South Asian immigrants.
The Simpsons
Recent rumours of Apu's demise may be exaggerated but his presence has been slowly written out of 'The Simpsons,' and many feel it is time for the stereotyped Indian-American character to go.
Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina in the new Netflix series.
Netflix
The new Sabrina joins a host of other witches in pop culture, a witch revival that reflects more radical feminist politics.
While local content makes up a small proportion of the Australian Netflix catalogue, Netflix has also heavily promoted Australian shows overseas, such as Hannah Gadsby’s standup show Nanette.
IMDB
While the figures may seem alarming, we should remember that, unlike free-to-air TV, subscription video-on-demand services are not regulated for local content.
Psychiatrist Steve Ellen and the ten participants put themselves – and their stories – out there to increase awareness about living with mental illness.
SBS/Blackfella Films
While thousands have called for the show to be cancelled, Insatiable actually does a good job of depicting the complex nature of disordered eating, sexuality and female pleasure.
The Karate Kid is back – and so is his nemesis.
YouTube.
With nostalgic flashbacks, epic training montages and most of the original cast, Cobra Kai is faithful to the Karate Kid film – all while delivering cutting-edge contemporary social commentary.
Shakespeare can survive a little chipping away at his 400-year reputation.
Although the show was rightly criticised for its lack of diversity, the First Slayer - she who begat all future slayers, including Buffy - was black.
20th Century Fox/IMDB
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a cult classic, was a series with a diversity problem. News of a new season provides an opportunity for a different kind of storytelling.
Dead Lucky tackles issues around worker exploitation, gambling, international students and domestic violence. But it is let down by underdeveloped characters.
India Henry after getting to the end of the course in Australian Ninja Warrior.
Screenshot from Youtube
Ninja Warrior is the latest attempt to appropriate an ancient artform for a mass audience. But the ancient ninja moved in silence. Anonymous, he never bothered to develop signature dance moves.
But is it art…? Fast-car fans Maurice and Harry in the Art Gallery of New South Wales in ABC’s Everyone’s A Critic.
ABC
The ABC's reality TV show Everyone's A Critic puts 'everyday' Australians in galleries. It is a compelling premise for an art show, but a tad disappointing.