What time is The British Tribe Next Door on TV tonight and why is it so controversial?
THE British Tribe Next Door, starring Scarlett Moffatt and her Gogglebox family has divided viewers.
In the new Channel 4 show, the presenter and her brood live in an exact replica of their County Durham home in the middle of a remote African village. Here’s all you need to know about it…
What time is The British Tribe Next Door on?
The British Tribe Next Door continues TONIGHT (November 5, 2019) at 9pm on Channel 4.
The series is comprised of four, hour long episodes all airing on Tuesday nights.
And fret not if you miss an episode as you can catch up on 4oD.
What is The British Tribe Next Door?
The British Tribe Next Door is a new Channel 4 programme starring Scarlett Moffatt and her Gogglebox family.
The show sees the Moffats transported to a remote African village.
But viewers may be left baffled as they see an exact replica of the Moffatts’ Co Durham semi relocated to the dusty plains of Namibia.
I’m A Celeb star Scarlett, 29, and her family will live in the kitted-out home alongside the nomadic Himba tribe for four weeks.
But the Brits won’t be abandoning their creature comforts to live like the cattle-herding people.
Instead they’ll be seen enjoying everyday luxuries like running water, electricity, hair straighteners, iPhones, ready meals and even TV.
The average Himba family has about a dozen possessions – compared to the nearly 22,000 items in the Moffatts’ home.
Why is The British Tribe Next Door so controversial?
The Channel 4 series has split opinion, with some labelling it “disgraceful”, while others have admitted to enjoying the cultural exchange.
Some viewers were outraged when they learned the women of the tribe are forced to walk 20 minutes in the boiling heat to get water, but the Moffatts have theirs in the home, including electricity, a washing machine, television and wifi.
The parallels between the Himba people and the Moffatts were highlighted when the tribesmen and women milked goats and ate porridge outside but in one scene Scarlett asked them: “Does anyone want our leftover crusts?”
It was this scene which proved disturbing for some viewers, with one person saying: “Like…. Who the f*** 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”.
Another added: “I really don’t understand @ScarlettMoffatt’s new show #TheBritishTribeNextDoor. It’s like poverty porn on steroids.
“Taking everything you have and forcing it in the faces of people who have nothing. How did it get produced?”
Scarlett has since spoken out following the backlash and wrote on Twitter: “My friends were happy, empowering and beautiful souls inside and out.”
She added: “Just to clarify we left a water borehole for our friends when we left Namibia which someone maintains”.
What has Scarlett Moffatt said about The British Tribe Next Door?
Scarlett has said that she and her family learned “an enormous amount” from the tribespeople.
She said: “This is one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life.
“I feel privileged and humbled that the Himba tribe invited us to join them and we have all learnt an enormous amount.”
What have members of the tribe said about making the show?
Chief Tijone of the Himba tribe said: “I was born in our village and I’ve never travelled far so I don’t know the Western life.
“Of course, there are benefits and there are disadvantages.
“When the visitors come, they can explain everything to us, and we will learn from each other’s cultures.”
The Himba agreed to host the Moffatts so they could judge the sedentary Western lifestyle they’ve heard about but never seen.
What have Channel 4 execs said about the show?
Alf Lawrie, C4’s head of factual entertainment, said: “For the first time in human history, British suburbia and Himba tribal life will co-exist side-by-side.
“This series contrasts two worlds on a spectacular scale – but at its heart, is about the extraordinary relationships it creates.
“Scarlett and the Himba are the perfect foils, both hospitable, curious, friendly… and sharing wicked senses of humour.”
Co-executive Producer for Voltage TV Sanjay Singhal said: “We’re excited to be making such an ambitious and innovative programme.
“It feels totally unpredictable and I’m intrigued to know what the Himba and the Moffatts will learn about themselves from taking part.”
Who is Scarlett Moffatt?
Scarlett Moffatt was born in the town of Bishop Auckland outside Newcastle on October 17, 1990.
The 29-year-old went to York St John University where she studied PE and Sports Coaching before becoming a disability adviser for students.
Scarlett appeared on MTV’s Beauty School Cop Outs in 2013 with none other than CBB’s Jeremy McConnell.
But she rose to prominence after her family appeared on Channel 4’s Gogglebox.
Her profile rocketed though after she took part in I’m A Celebrity 2016 – where she beat Joel Dommett to win the show.
After being crowned Queen of the Jungle, the job offers have been rolling in for Scarlett.
As well as being on the panel for Holly Willoughby’s quiz show, Play To The Whistle, Scarlett was also snapped up by Channel 4 for a revival of Streetmate (formerly presented by Davina McCall).