Channel 4 has come under fire by viewers for it’s ‘bizarre’ coverage of last night’s General Election – which included everything from a burka slur from Stanley Johnson to a misjudged skit on sex positions.
The channel ran a self-styled ‘alternative’ to the more standard programmes following the results of the polling by the likes of the BBC and ITV.
There was significant controversy, as well, from an appearance by Stanley Johnson, who was booed by the live studio audience for saying ‘female jet pilots shouldn’t wear burkas.’
‘If I was a female fighter jet pilot I would expect someone to say, “’Don’t wear a burka”,’ the senior Mr Johnson said.
After a brief lull – during which some of the panel members looked uncomfortable and confused by what they’d just heard – Mr Johnson was roundly booed by the live audience.
The live show was hosted by news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy, comedian Katherine Ryan and Rylan Clark-Neal.
Viewers took to social media to lambast the proceedings – which seemed to quickly take a swift downwards turn into chaos.
Channel 4 is currently doing a comedy skit on its coverage about marginal sex positions and it's fair to say I'm not entirely sure the audience is in the mood for comedy, it is quite extraordinary. pic.twitter.com/nXAUwAGFcU
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) December 13, 2019
Jimmy Carr is now providing political commentary without any jokes. This is some of the most bizarre television I have ever seen in my life.
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) December 13, 2019
Channel 4's election coverage has gone so wonderfully, disastrously, off the rails that it's like watching something Alan Partridge has created. It is cringe birthed, kicking, and screaming into the world.
— A Very Smedley Christmas (@robsmedley86) December 13, 2019
One viewer called it ‘some of the most bizarre television I have ever seen in my life.’
Commenting on a misjudged comedy sketch about sex positions and marginal seats, another added: ‘I’m not entirely sure the audience is in the mood for comedy. It is quite extraordinary.’
‘Channel 4’s election coverage has gone so wonderfully, disastrously off the rails,’ one critic wrote. ‘It’s like watching something Alan Partridge had created.
‘It is cringe birthed, kicking and screaming into this world.’
half the channel 4 audience have gone home pic.twitter.com/ojpxj1qmU8
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) December 13, 2019
Never seen more jokes not land with an audience than I have on this Channel 4 Alternate Election
— mark (@MarkSH98) December 12, 2019
Well, that is certainly one way to put it!
Many people tuning into the proceedings also noticed that, as the night dragged on, the studio audience themselves had seemed to have enough and made a beeline for the exit.
Finally, someone seemed to sum up proceedings quite well, saying: ‘Never seen more jokes not land with an audience than I have on Channel 4 Alternative Election.’
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