Gregg Wallace’s disturbing ‘human meat’ mockumentary for Channel 4 hit with hundreds of Ofcom complaints
Gregg Wallace’s Channel 4 mockumentary The British Miracle Meat has been hit with hundreds of Ofcom complaints.
MasterChef judge Gregg, 58, appeared on the programme which purported to be about a factory which manufactured ‘engineered human meat’ for the purpose of consumption.
Yet viewers weren’t sure whether the disturbing investigation was real while watching it on July 24 and some complained to Ofcom.
The broadcasting regulator confirmed to MailOnline on Wednesday it had received 393 complaints which mainly objected to the theme of the mockumentary.
The satirical show had meant to investigate an alternative to soaring food prices, with Gregg investigating a controversial new lab-grown meat product made from human meat for humans to eat.
Gregg Wallace’s disturbing ‘human meat’ mockumentary for Channel 4 has been with hundreds of Ofcom complaints by ‘disturbed’ fans – it aired on July 24
Just a spoof: MasterChef judge Gregg, 58, appeared on the satirical programme which purported to be about a factory which manufactured ‘engineered human meat’ for the purpose of consumption by humans due to the cost of living crisis
The show was understood to be a take on satirist Jonathan Swift’s 1729 essay A Modest Proposal – which suggests that poor Irish families donate their children to rich English landlords for food.
However, there was no warning given ahead or during the broadcast to reassure viewers that it was fictional.
Confused and ‘disgusted’ viewers took to Twitter as the programme debuted, criticising Channel 4 for airing a show in such ‘very poor taste’.
Last Tuesday, Gregg addressed his fans via Instagram, after his new show was blasted by viewers.
‘Are you watching the British miracle meat on channel 4…it’s got to be a joke?! Human meat,’ one tweeted.
‘Who is watching Gregg Wallace, The British Miracle Meat, I feel sick.’ another echoed.
One viewer added: ‘What the fresh h**l are we being subjected to on @Channel4 now?’
Others – in an apparent joking manner – claimed that ‘if enough people vote Tory’ they will end up selling their flesh for money. And some even pointed to Brexit as the reason a ‘process banned in the EU’ would be allowed permitted in the UK.
Speaking up: A day later, Gregg addressed his fans on Instagram, after his new show was blasted by viewers
One wrote: ‘I hope they start putting disclaimers on this satirical cannibalism show before eating the poor ends up in the government’s next election manifesto.’
However, Gregg took to his Instagram Stories to subtly address the backlash by posting a promo picture from the show.
Emphasizing the fictional aspect of the programme, he wrote: ‘Thank you for watching. I really enjoyed my first ever acting job!’
He also hinted viewers should lighten up about the show, by posting another photo with the simple caption: ‘Satire’.
Unimpressed: Confused and ‘disgusted’ viewers took to Twitter as the programme debuted, criticising Channel 4 for airing a show in such ‘very poor taste’
Having his say: Emphasizing the fictional aspect of the programme, he wrote: ‘Thank you for watching. I really enjoyed my first ever acting job!’
Pointing out the obvious: He also hinted viewers should lighten up about the show, by posting another photo with the simple caption: ‘Satire’
Showing he was unbothered by the criticism, Gregg then shared a video on Tuesday morning detailing his plans for the day, including a gym session and going out for dinner in London.
The show saw Gregg interviewing ‘donors’ who were selling their flesh to fictional firm ‘Good Harvest’ as a solution for cash-strapped families.
The human tissue was then seen growing in labs into larger slabs of meat – which could be used to make steaks, burgers and sausages.
But MPs slammed the show as a ‘bad taste’ take on the cost-of-living crisis and criticised Channel 4 bosses for failing to warn audiences its subject was not real.
Viewers followed Gregg as he visited Good Harvest’s HQ where staff explained how pieces of flesh was harvested from humans and grown into edible meat.
The TV star was then seen visiting donors including a 67-year-old retired receptionist who agreed to have flesh taken from her buttock and thigh in order to fund two weeks’ energy bills.
Good Harvest’s chief executive later revealed the firm’s premium range comes from the flesh of children aged six and below – with a promotional video which billed the womb as ‘nature’s oven’.
Billed as a solution for cash-strapped families, MasterChef host Gregg Wallace interviewed ‘donors’ who were selling their flesh to fictional firm ‘Good Harvest’. The human tissue was then seen growing in labs into larger slabs of meat – which could be used to make steaks, burgers and sausages
Grub’s up! At one point in the show Gregg and Roux Jr were seen tasting the steaks
Gregg, who previously fronted BBC 2’s ‘Inside the Factory’, is well known for presenting documentaries about how food and products are made.
At one point in the show Gregg and chef Michel Roux Jr were seen tasting the steaks and the two Michelin-starred chef licked his fingers as he cooked.
The programme also included thinly-veiled jibes at the Government – with a Good Harvest employee member remarking that the machine used to grow the meat would have been banned under EU laws.
Gregg also said the new food source might be ‘the only attempt’ seen ‘to take the British cost-of- living crisis seriously’.
Other viewers were kick to identify the programme was a spoof documentary, with several alleging the criticisms of the Government and Brexit were an obvious giveaway.
‘I started watching this thinking was genuine, quickly became a spoof. Feel connned by C4,’ one viewer wrote.
Another added: ‘This #miraclemeat programme on @Channel4 is such a spoof it’s laughable. No trace of business online. The Brexit comment a few mins in was enough of a clue.’
‘A rather tasteless spoof that’s rather sick making. Supposedly it was a completely insane stunt by Channel 4 that makes a strong case over government inaction, spiralling energy costs and unsustainable food. I think not,’ one viewer wrote.
‘Completely unfunny spoof report. I can’t see what it’s trying to achieve,’ added another. ‘It’s only going to upset the gullible and make it harder to convince people to non-meat alternatives.’
Some viewers have indicated they have already issued complaints to Ofcom about the programme.
One tweeted: ‘I hope Ofcom have some extra staff on tonight.’
Another penned: ‘I’ve just watched less that 10 minutes of the British miracle meat whether this is satire or not it is abhorrent @Ofcom @Channel4.’
‘A rather tasteless spoof that’s rather sick making. Supposedly it was a completely insane stunt by Channel 4 that makes a strong case over government inaction, spiralling energy costs and unsustainable food. I think not,’ one viewer wrote.
Another added: ‘This #miraclemeat programme on @Channel4 is such a spoof it’s laughable. No trace of business online. The Brexit comment a few mins in was enough of a clue.’
Not happy: Some viewers have indicated they have already issued complaints to Ofcom about the programme
‘A rather tasteless spoof that’s rather sick making. Supposedly it was a completely insane stunt by Channel 4 that makes a strong case over government inaction, spiralling energy costs and unsustainable food. I think not,’ one viewer wrote.
It is not the first time Channel 4 has sparked outrage with its programmes.
In 2020 the broadcaster was heavily criticised for creating a ‘deepfake’ version of the late Queen’s Christmas speech.
And earlier this year ‘Naked Education’ – a programme in which adults stripped off in front of teenagers to promote body positivity – amassed more than 1,200 Ofcom complaints.
Speaking ahead of the broadcast today, Lee Anderson, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, said: ‘Channel 4 has gone beyond the pale.
‘Brits struggling with the cost of living will no doubt find this attempt at humour in bad taste.’
Meanwhile Tory MP Giles Watling, who sits on the Culture, Media and Sport select Committee, said: ‘Something like this should have come with a health warning so that people are aware it is not factual and can make a choice on whether to watch it or not.
‘I am certainly not in favour of censorship and I think it’s wonderful that artists and comedians have the freedom to express themselves – but there are certain sensitives broadcasters need to be aware of.’ Wallace also referenced food bank charity Trussell Trust as the programme concluded.
Something to say: The programme also included thinly-veiled jibes at the Government – with a Good Harvest employee member remarking that the machine used to grow the meat would have been banned under EU laws
‘The Trussell Trust says a future without food banks requires a benefits system that works for all and secure incomes so people can afford essentials,’ he said.
‘So it’s no surprise that eating children seems a more likely path for our country.’
A spokesman for the charity said: ‘While referenced in it, the Trussell Trust had no involvement in the production of Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat.’
A Channel 4 spokesman said: ‘This “mockumentary” is a witty yet thought-provoking commentary on the extreme measures many people are being forced to take to stay afloat in our society during the cost-of-living crisis.
‘Channel 4 has a long and rich history of satire and has often used humour as an accessible way to highlight society’s most important issues.’
Source: Read Full Article
