In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we peel back the layers of the notorious 2014 documentary series Benefits Street, zeroing in on its explosive first episode. We explore how the show, the tabloids and even the government framed poverty, constructed narratives of the  “deserving” versus “undeserving” poor, and used editing to transform real lives into sensationalist entertainment. And just how did a mortgage crisis in the USA contribute to austerity in the UK?

Join us as we unpack how a single episode became a national talking point—and a case study in the power (and danger) of televised storytelling.

To watch the first episode of Benefits Street discussed in this podcast on YouTube Click here

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GAZER HOMEWORK: Next Week we dissect an episode of UK cult sci-fi drama Blakes 7 from 1980. Click here to watch