Well, it certainly got people talking.
Whether you were watching Channel 4 on Wednesday night or not, it surely won’t have escaped your attention that there was a very eye-opening documentary on called Secret Life Of The Human Pups.
For many viewers, the very premise was ridiculous and certainly something they hadn’t encountered in their day-to-day lives. The idea of grown adults pretending to be canines for kicks was a new one.
Secret lives of human puppies… What!! 🙊🙊🐶🐶 pic.twitter.com/B3z2tskIc3
— Natasha Birch (@TashaBirch89) May 25, 2016
But rather than being the kind of exploitative programme that Channel 4 has been criticised for making in the past, it was a surprisingly tender look at a hidden subculture of what is essentially people pretending to be something else for a while.
It turns out that the ‘human pups’ come from all walks of life, and although the movement has BDSM origins, it’s not really a sexual thing. Many – but not all – are gay men who find solace in their four-legged alter-egos.
There’s a certain type of person who may be a human pup: anyone… #HumanPupshttps://t.co/IyGWMALO1X
— Channel 4 (@Channel4) May 25, 2016
Tom, also known as Spot, featured on the show taking part in the ‘Mr Puppy Europe’ competition in Antwerp. He spoke to the Guardian about what it means to him:
“It feels like you can be gay, straight, bisexual, trans and be accepted. All I want is for the pup community to be accepted in the same way. We’re not trying to cause grief to the public, or cause grief to relationships. We’re just the same as any other person on the high street.”
Despite the fact that the outwardly bizarre show was an affectionate portrayal at heart, many viewers at home had the same nagging suspicion. Namely that the programme was some sort of BrassEye satire by the master of subversive comedy himself, Chris Morris…
When I read the synopsis of #HumanPups I thought it was a #ChrisMorris or @missdianemorgan effort. #cunk
— Robin Stent (@Robin_Stent) May 25, 2016
This is like a Chris Morris sketch from 'The Day Today' or a 'Brass Eye' Cake moment #HumanPups
— Julian H-Dickinson (@341VVO) May 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/Goblin73Matt/status/735593371578826752
The Secret Life Of The Human Pups. Not quite 'John's Not Mad' but it's got the potential to be a TV classic. Is Chris Morris involved?
— Stan Ferguson (@Stan_Ferguson) May 25, 2016
#HumanPups is this a Chris Morris spoof that's not been billed as such to try and catch us out? #seriouslyfolks
— Bean (@030594dill) May 25, 2016
Are we sure Chris Morris isnt in one of those latex suits?
— Lesley McGlynn (@scouselesley) May 25, 2016
#C4puppies @Channel4 #ManPuppies has #ChrisMorris and #BrassEye made a return? pic.twitter.com/FHSCBXWrb7
— #ToriesOut #JohnsonOut (@ladyjenkin) May 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/Chrisjameson9/status/735580568553988097
