“HOW can we really hammer home that this show is set in Scotland?”
The Jouker imagines that the TV executives over at the US broadcaster Peacock had just that discussion during planning for its version of the hit show The Traitors.
Picked up by the BBC after the runaway success of the UK’s Claudia Winkleman-led version, The Traitors US leans perhaps a little too heavily into Scottish stereotypes…
There’s Alan Cumming doing a full Scottish brogue and walking about the castle in only the finest tartans, sweeping shots of glens and lochs, red stags standing about … and Groundskeeper Willie.
Except this ginger-bearded groundskeeper is called – in true Scots style – Fergus.
His job seems to amount to standing about and looking stereotypically Scottish. But then at one point he is seen comedically (maybe) chasing a peacock around the castle grounds, so he must have some kind of role.
Either way, the inclusion of the character has led to mockery on social media.
“Who the HELL is Fergus and why do we need him to polish a stag?” one user asked.
US: what is Scotland? UK: Erm, you might remember awful stereotype Groundskeeper Willie from The Simpsons? US: Aye.
— Gary L Wales (@GaryWales) January 14, 2023
Another responded: “US: what is Scotland? UK: Erm, you might remember awful stereotype Groundskeeper Willie from The Simpsons? US: Aye.”
“They’ve put a Groundskeeper Willie character in there, which I can only assume is to help the Americans understand where they are??” a third wrote.
While a fourth said they had turned the show off after it “immediately introduced a stereotypical Groundskeeper Willie type guy”.
READ MORE: Michael Gove caught out by SNP amid Simpsons and Scottish independence row
Another user wrote: “I don’t care for #TraitorsUS so far. They’re all too over the top, and it’s way too over-produced. The addition of the ‘Groundskeeper Willie’ guy (as they’re in Scotland) doesn’t really work.
“Alan Cumming is great though.”
Well that’s one thing the Jouker can agree with at least.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here