Gregg Wallace’s controversial new mockumentary about ‘human flesh’ may have provoked outrage, but the TV host has responded with a pretty sly comment.
Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle flesh premiered on Channel 4 on Monday evening, following the MasterChef judge as he visited a ‘human flesh’ plant in Lincolnshire.
The meat was collected from ‘thin slices of human tissue’ in a ‘nutrient rich mix’ that stimulates cell development, with ‘human flesh’ being far cheaper than animal alternatives amid the cost of living crisis, according to the show.
Members of the public who turned in to watch were understandably appalled by the prospect of eating meat derived from human flesh, with one tweeting: ‘Is this a wind up? This is disgusting,’ and another writing: ‘This has got to be a spoof! Are times that bad we are turning to cannibalism?’
For all of the viewers who thought it was a legitimate proposal, the so-called documentary turned out to be a mockumentary… Gregg made fun of this fact in an Instagram post.
Posting a picture of himself promoting the programme, he wrote on top: ‘Thank you for watching. I really enjoyed my first ever acting job!’
In his caption, he added: ‘Satire. See Jonathan Swift ‘A Modest Proposal,’ referencing the 1729 satirical essay: ‘A Modest Proposal For preventing the Children of Poor People From being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country, and For making them Beneficial to the Publick.’
Jonathan Swift’s anonymously released essay proposed that poor families in Ireland contemplate selling their children for bread to wealthy members of society… Of course, this was a humorous advice.
In a similar spirit, a Channel 4 representative stated that Miracle Meat delivered a “thought-provoking commentary” on the impact of the cost-of-living problem.
‘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,’ their statement read.
‘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.’
While some complimented Gregg for his role and for raising notice of the country’s financial problems in such a dramatic manner, others were appalled by the technique.
‘Incredible piece of television. Definitely 2 fingers up to the disturbing world we live in. If you were upset by it, then you didn’t get it…’ one person stated, while another commented: ‘Completely revolting, we are definitely in end times ! This is the lowest depths of depravity, sick twisted badness!’
Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat is available to stream on Channel 4.
