BBC viewers have delivered a scathing verdict on the broadcaster's latest Christmas comedy offering, with many switching off just minutes into the programme. The festive special, titled 'Stuffed', featured Taskmaster's Guz Khan and The Windsor's Morgana Robinson, but failed to win over its audience.
What is 'Stuffed' About and Why Did Viewers Switch Off?
The 15-minute special, available on BBC iPlayer, follows the characters Arslan Farooqis (Guz Khan) and his wife Hannah (Morgana Robinson). The plot centres on the family's trip to Lapland after receiving an accidental £8,000 Christmas bonus instead of £800. Their festive dreams are dashed when the company demands the money back, forcing Arslan to find a way to repay the sum quickly.
However, the storyline proved deeply unpopular with a significant portion of the audience. Many took to social media platform X to express their dismay, with one viewer stating they lasted only '15 minutes' before turning it off, calling it a 'festering, unfunny pile of woke s***e'. Another labelled the show 'embarrassing' and questioned its classification as a comedy.
A Divided Response and Further BBC Criticism
Not all feedback was negative. Some viewers defended the show, with one claiming 'Stuffed is very funny' and was becoming a 'Christmas staple'. Despite this, the critical voices dominated the online conversation, with the term 'woke' being repeatedly used by detractors to describe the comedy's perceived tone.
The criticism of 'Stuffed' coincided with viewer complaints about another BBC staple. Earlier in the week, the Christmas University Challenge special also faced backlash. Fans accused the show of being 'dumbed down', with easier questions that allowed viewers to score more correct answers than usual. Presenter Amol Rajan also came under fire for his stern manner, with some commenting on his repeated, sharp instructions of 'no conferring!' to the alumni teams.
What Happens Next?
The strong reaction highlights the challenges broadcasters face in creating festive content that resonates with a wide audience. While 'Stuffed' aimed for a modern, relatable Christmas story, its execution has sparked a debate about humour and contemporary themes on mainstream television. The special remains available for streaming on BBC iPlayer for those who wish to judge for themselves.
