Review: Sasha Ellen

Taking the origin of the acronym MILF as a starting point, Sasha Ellen is thinking about how women's ageing is viewed by the world, both in popular culture and in the 'patient letter' sent to her by her doctor. Her most recent medical history offers one throughline in MILF-shake, Ellen talking candidly about the symptoms of polycystic ovaries (and insightfully about how a symptom might be perceived differently at different ages). Another diagnosis, this time one she has some reason to question, is that of anxiety. Her doctor's opinion there may have been hastened by Ellen's well-meaning taking of certain supplements which, risking a clean drug test, gave her something to be anxious about in front of the professional – consequently clouding his judgement. This all leads later to a relatably gratifying routine where her swapping of yoga for pole dancing affords her an unexpected opportunity to flip doctor-patient relations, after the pair both find themselves outside of the consulting rooms. 

Her family's dynamics also make for another intriguing strand. Ellen was born to teenage parents and her reflections on their over-correcting parenting style, especially when it came to sex education, is well-observed. The significant age gap between Ellen and her, now teenage, younger sibling could also give material for the whole hour. The ramifications of growing up an only child only to then watch your mother give birth suggests a unique perspective on changing generations. 

The show returns to the original MILF actor, whose role first popularised the term, with Ellen firing off a pleasingly unhinged cry for help to the star's Hollywood agent. It concludes a well-crafted show with a flow of consistent laughs.