SHABAZ ALI TO INVESTIGATE BILLIONAIRES FOR BBC THREE DOCUMENTARY SPECIAL

In this new BBC commission, Shabaz Ali will step out of his cosy hoodie and head out on a mission to meet a billionaire in person, to try and understand what life is actually like for the super wealthy – and whether they are as bad as some might think.

Commissioned for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, principal production has begun on a new 60-minute film: Shabaz Asks: Are Billionaires Bad? produced by Brighton-based Indie, Hello Mary.

Shabaz Ali, better known to his four million plus followers as ShabazSays for his online comedy content on wealth inequality, celebrity and culture, will front the film that promises to be an entertaining look at the heated and nuanced debate around wealth disparity. Today, Shabaz kicked off the project with a callout on his socials for an interview with a billionaire.

Shabaz, the self-proclaimed ‘King of the Povvos’, is known for his straight-talking reality checks on the super-rich, all filmed from his bedroom in Blackburn. In this new BBC commission, Shabaz will step out of his cosy hoodie and head out on a mission to meet a billionaire in person, to try and understand what life is actually like for the super wealthy – and whether they are as bad as some might think.

BBC coverage in the last few years has highlighted how younger generations are more likely to experience financial hardship than their parents, citing factors like stagnant wages and rising housing costs. Many young people also support policies such as wealth taxes to address growing economic divides. Shabaz Asks: Are Billionaires Bad? Is a film that will take this ongoing conversation and offer an entertaining, insightful exploration of these themes through Shabaz’s unique perspective.

Shabaz Ali says: “I’ve always looked at my social media content as only one way to approach important subjects. I’m interested in digging deeper into the issues of inequality, community and our comparative culture, and a film offers the most exciting opportunity yet to ask questions about our culture: whether it is broken, or whether we just need to update our perspective...

"There is no format quite like television in which to do that. I am super nervous, but I’m super excited to be working with the BBC to make a film that will explore the burning question ‘are billionaires bad?’ It’s going to be interesting to leave all the filming, editing, producing to someone else (since it’s always been just me doing it all for my online videos) but TV is something I have always wanted to do and this is going to be very fun!”

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, says: “Shabaz has built a strong connection with young audiences by combining his sharp humour with genuine cultural insight. We are excited to be working with him on his television debut, and see him explore such a relevant debate. Shabaz Asks: Are Billionaires Bad? promises to be bold and conversation-starting and reflects the BBC’s commitment to distinctive, homegrown storytelling.”

Steven Regan, Executive Producer for Hello Mary, says: “Like millions of others we’re massive fans of Shabaz and are delighted to show his legions of followers a new side to him, as well as introduce him to viewers who have somehow not discovered him yet. We love working with big characters at Hello Mary, and Shabaz is no exception: he’s clever, funny and provocative.”

Shabaz Asks: Are Billionaires Bad? will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three later this year.