Scarlett Moffatt reacts to criticism that her new show is 'poverty porn'
Scarlett Moffatt is defending her new show The British Tribe Next Door against criticism that it's 'poverty porn'.
The former I'm a Celebrity star and her family return to their former Gogglebox home on Channel 4 for the new factual series British Tribe Next Door, which sees them moving into an exact replica of their house built in a Namibian village.
Tuesday's premiere episode (October 22) showed the Moffatts living with running water and Wifi while the local tribespeople around them carried on with their normal daily routine.
One scene had Scarlett offering her neighbours the family's leftovers while they were busy milking goats and eating their own homemade porridge. To some viewers, these scenes came off as exploitative and/or condescending.
A viewer raised one issue about deceptive representation: "#TheBritishTribeNextDoor is kinda condescending? I get what they tried to do with this show? But ffs the British media never show Africans as people who live in cities etc. This feels like they’re showing the Brits how Africans *just* live in tribes, walk for water and dance."
Another labeled the series "poverty porn", writing: "I really don’t understand @ScarlettMoffatt ’s new show #TheBritishTribeNextDoor. It’s like poverty porn on steroids. Taking everything you have and forcing it the faces of people who have nothing. How did it get produced?!"
Below is a sampling of the criticism (note: NSFW tweets below):
Nah this is peak poverty porn. A very uncomfortable “we’re the civilised ones” vibe. Who the hell commissioned this programme, even more so during #BlackHistoryMonth ffs #TheBritishTribeNextDoor
— Rohan (@Chops8592) October 22, 2019
I swear to god someone got drunk, watched Summer Heights High and An Idiot Abroad and then pitched this idea to Channel 4 of sending Scarlett Moffatt and her house to Africa #thebritishtribenextdoor pic.twitter.com/M4Vhktjge9
— Joe (@JoeSaunders) October 22, 2019
This show makes me feel soooooooo uncomfortable 🥴🥴🥴🥴 the whole "woooo look at us, we're CIVILISED" vibe is very OFF #TheBritishTribeNextDoor
— Ozuna Stan 🧸 (@ashindestad) October 22, 2019
Like....... Who the fuck decided that this "show" would be a good idea??? Building a British terraced house in the middle of an African village to prove what exactly? #TheBritishTribeNextDoor
— Ozuna Stan 🧸 (@ashindestad) October 22, 2019
Scarlett has now addressed the topic of "poverty porn" by sharing a tweet from a viewer who described the tribe featured as some of the "richest and most liberated people" in the world.
"My friends were happy, empowering and beautiful souls inside and out," Scarlett replied.
The TV presenter also wrote: "Thank you so so so much for your positive comments for my family and for my himba friends #thebritishtribenextdoor."
Some viewers did take Scarlett's POV, suggesting those complaining missed the point of the Channel 4 special:
"Confused about the tweets regarding #thebritishtribenextdoor -how arrogant to assume that WE are the privileged ones in the UK," one viewer wrote.
"I quite envy the villagers way of life, the simplicity of it all. I imagine very few of them would want to live our way of life & are happy as they are!"
The woke probably hate #TheBritishTribeNextDoor but I’m loving it. Nice to hear dad Moffat say ‘gadgey’ (Northern speak for ‘man’). Scarlett’s eyes - beautiful 🌟
— India Willoughby (@IndiaWilloughby) October 22, 2019
I don't understand why people is offend by this brilliant experience, I'm from Angola, I was afraid of escalator first time I see. I'm enjoying this😘#thebritishtribenextdoor
— Tany (@lifetany27) October 22, 2019
Just finished watching #thebritishtribenextdoor and WOW what a programme! Absolute genius TV and @ScarlettMoffatt and her family are perfect for the programme!💙 can’t wait for the next episode🙌🏼
— 🙌🏼Kaylam colwill🙌🏼 (@PipeColwill) October 22, 2019
For all the people complaining- The tribe agreed and wanted to do this show, at the end of the show they said didn’t want any of the Moffatt’s things, as they liked their life as it is. After filming they left a bore hole for them. #TheBritishTribeNextDoor @ScarlettMoffatt
— Owen (@OwenCChild) October 22, 2019
The British Tribe Next Door continues next Tuesday (October 29) at 9.15pm on Channel 4.
Digital Spy is launching a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Instagram and Twitter accounts.
You Might Also Like