ITV’s new series Piglets premiered on Saturday as the channel’s new weekend comedy, but unfortunately the show was ripped apart just minutes in.
The police trainee-focused comedy has already seen a huge backlash over its “derogatory” name, which derives from the slang term used for police officers, “pigs”.
The series pokes fun at the policing profession and it set in a fictional training college.
It follows a group of new officers as they start their careers in the police, and the cast includes Peak Practice’s Sarah Parish and Friday Night Dinner star Mark Heap as Superintendents Julie Spry and Bob Weekes.
The first 30-minute episode didn’t go down well with viewers though, with many blasting it on social media just minutes in.
Taking to X, the critics were out in full force as one fumed: “What a load of c**p this #piglets is. Not even close to funny. The Thin Blue Line, however, was hilarious.”
Join our six new Piglets as they’re put through their paces at Norbourne Police Training College 👮🚨 Tune in tonight at 9:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX @calliecooke_ @sukhojla #Piglets pic.twitter.com/JDTS2O1XvY
— ITV (@ITV) July 20, 2024
“#Piglets really?!? How did this even get made? So so bad!!!!” a second complained.
“Well this is a new low for tv comedy #piglets,” a third shared, while another added: “#piglets Oh dear. Not funny at all. Including name.”
“#piglets yeah, um. Is this a true drama or a comedy. Timing is terrible, can’t fathom any of it. Last season I presume?” another swiped.
“Well, this won’t be getting a second series……or even a second episode on my telly…..#Piglets,” someone else commented.
ITV’s new comedy Piglets made its debut on Saturday
ITV
There were some who enjoyed the new ITV instalment though, with one person posting: “Loving #piglets slapstick comedy at its best.”
“#piglets & #changingends ITV knocking it out of the park tonight on my tv with two great new comedies. More please of both,” another praised. (sic)
Earlier this month, the Police Federation issued a statement over the show’s name, raising concerns about its potential impact.
Tiffany Lynch, acting National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, stated: “The new ITV show titled ‘Piglets’ is highly offensive to police officers risking their lives to protect the public every day providing an emergency service.
“It is a disgusting choice of language to use for the title of a TV programme. I find it incredulous that this has passed through checks and balances at an organisation made up of people who at any time have or may need the support and assistance of the police.
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Tiffany Lynch, Acting National Chair said:
“The new ITV show titled ‘Piglets’ is highly offensive to police officers risking their lives to protect the public every day providing an emergency service.”
Read the full statement below:https://t.co/TkxPM8dLwm https://t.co/KjwVo3AiBP
— Police Federation (@PFEW_HQ) July 5, 2024
“Our colleagues are working hard and keeping people safe under relentless negative pressure at the moment, insulting our new in service officers is unhelpful.”
Lynch went on to warn: “The name of this show is also inflammatory against a landscape of rising threats and violence against officers.
“We should not be put at further risk for viewing numbers, our officers deserve respect, not humiliation for the job they are undertaking.
“It is actually incredibly dangerous to incite more negativity and misinformation against a public sector service that’s already under so much pressure.”
In response, an ITV spokesperson told GB News: “Piglets is a fictional new comedy about a police training academy and the title is not intended to cause any offence, it’s a comedic and endearing play on words to emphasise the innocence and youth of our young trainees.”