British television has always pushed the envelope in both bad and good ways, but a new comedy sketch from the brand new BBC2 program Revolting has proven extremely divisive.
The show kicked off its debut episode with a 105-second clip called "The Real Housewives of ISIS" that has launched a massive online debate.
The clip spoofs the Real Housewives reality shows, but it follows the wives of ISIS leaders. In the sketch, the women share ISIS-themed hashtags on social media and model suicide vests for one another.
Since it aired, the video has attracted all kinds of negative attention across social media, with viewers split down the middle about whether the clip is offensively promoting stereotypes or simply making fun of terrorists that want to be taken seriously.
In an interview with iNews, Revolting creators Heydon Prowse and Jolyon Rubinstein defended the sketch. "The target is online grooming," Rubinstein said. "It's about people who are vulnerable to these kind of approaches. We've had the 'White Widow' (British-born terror suspect Samantha Lewthwaite) so this is actually happening to women here."
"It's important not to pull your punches in satire," Prowse added. "You have to be fearless or it undermines your credibility. You can't go after David Cameron for five years like we did and not go after Islamic State."
If you feel like wading into the debate yourself, you can watch the sketch below.
The show kicked off its debut episode with a 105-second clip called "The Real Housewives of ISIS" that has launched a massive online debate.
The clip spoofs the Real Housewives reality shows, but it follows the wives of ISIS leaders. In the sketch, the women share ISIS-themed hashtags on social media and model suicide vests for one another.
Since it aired, the video has attracted all kinds of negative attention across social media, with viewers split down the middle about whether the clip is offensively promoting stereotypes or simply making fun of terrorists that want to be taken seriously.
In an interview with iNews, Revolting creators Heydon Prowse and Jolyon Rubinstein defended the sketch. "The target is online grooming," Rubinstein said. "It's about people who are vulnerable to these kind of approaches. We've had the 'White Widow' (British-born terror suspect Samantha Lewthwaite) so this is actually happening to women here."
"It's important not to pull your punches in satire," Prowse added. "You have to be fearless or it undermines your credibility. You can't go after David Cameron for five years like we did and not go after Islamic State."
If you feel like wading into the debate yourself, you can watch the sketch below.
