Channel 4’s latest reality offering, Make Bradford British claims to be “a two-part series that brings together people of different races and backgrounds to see if they can come up with a common notion of the thread that binds them together.”
However, the show has divided opinion, with one newspaper comparing it to ‘Big Brother.’
As the show has advertised, the TV series features a group of people from a variety of different backgrounds, races and religions, who have all failed theUKcitizenship test.
The show then bunked the group together in a house for 4 days to see if they can live harmoniously or rather, as some cynics have put it, watch fireworks explode as these people clash.
Housemates include a retired policeman with questionable views about those of ethnic backgrounds, a devout Muslim rugby player, a self-loathing black Bradfordian and a mixed race publican who admits to using the racist ‘P’ word in front of her customers.
Anita Singh from the Telegraph branded the show a “Big Brother rip off” and accused it of ignoring some of the better qualities of Bradford.
She wrote, “Bradfordhas its problems. But it also has great people, fabulous architecture, beautiful countryside, world class museums and galleries – none of which are ever shown on screen, becauseBradfordis the lazy TV executive’s go-to destination for racial disharmony.
“In reality, the whole thing was a Big Brother rip-off, right down to the money handed out for the weekly food budget and the obligatory dressing up in silly costumes.”
Community leader Ian Greenwood also agreed, telling the BBC that he was “sick to death” of shows like Make Bradford British portraying the Northern city in a “bad light.”
He said, “There is no doubt that we have problems the same as any community – but my view is we can resolve these problems together withinBradford.
“What we don’t need is people stereotyping us and leaving the city.”
Jane Vincent, co-founder of Positive Bradford, told the broadcaster, “What does concern me is that it’sBradfordagain. Why isn’t it Make Birmingham British or some other city? It’s unfair.”
However Lindsay Johns was less critical, describing the show as “shocking, humbling and depressing” and felt it should inspire debate about what Britishness is.
“Hopefully it will also act as a much-needed catalyst for debate and discussion about this important topic, as what constitutes Britishness.
“It is self-evident that education breaks down prejudice. Hopefully Make Bradford British will result in all parties involved (and the viewers at home too, including myself) learning from the valuable cultural and religious exchange on offer and that this will subsequently directly contribute to increased racial, religious and social harmony on the streets of not just Bradford, but cities the length and breadth of the UK.”
The second half of the series starts today.
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