Deep Fake Neighbour Wars: Insane new celebrity show baffles viewers

Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Adele: A truly bizarre new show apparently featuring the world’s biggest stars has left viewers absolutely gobsmacked.

A truly bizarre new celebrity series has premiered in Australia, showcasing the likes of Beyonce, Kim, Kardashian, Idris Elba, Tom Holland, Nicki Minaj and Adele embroiled in petty neighbourhood disputes, deep in British suburbia.

You read that right: some of the most famous people in the world make appearances in SBS’ Deep Fake Neighbour Wars – but, as the title suggests, not all is as it seems.

Here’s a clip from the show, (apparently) featuring Kardashian and Elba:

The British comedy uses the latest AI technology to transform some of the country’s best impressionists into the A-listers, and putting them in into bizarre suburban neighbourhood wars.

The wild new show features “deep fake” versions of high-profile celebrities.

It’s a concept which hasn’t gone down well with everyone, including one of its “stars”, rapper Nicki Minaj.

HELP!!! What in the AI shapeshifting cloning conspiracy theory is this?!?!! I hope the whole internet get deleted!!! https://t.co/fFx1SDtj8o

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 9, 2023

When one of her 27 million Twitter followers questioned whether the show could even “legally take your face for a gag video”, Minaj followed up with:

I do not know! But as Queen of the British Monarchy & the commonwealth, I hereby abolish the internet. Effective @ 0900 military time tomorrow morning, 10th July, 20 hundred & 23. BON VOYAGE BITCH https://t.co/sUEYdinLUo

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 9, 2023

The promo clips sparked plenty of reactions elsewhere on Twitter, with many commenting simply, “WTF”:

This is scary AF. Wutttt 😂😂😂😂

— Heedy (@HeedyNshittt) July 9, 2023

Wtffff😭

— PRINCE Q 🧑🏽‍🎤 (@princceq) July 9, 2023

This is fearfully insane. Can you imagine the wars that will be started over recordings that never happened. Can you imagine the influential people who could be long dead and opps using this to sway people who follow them.

— Default-Setting (@RearViewGone) July 9, 2023

This part took me out 😭😭😭😭😭 what tf is this!!! pic.twitter.com/KmK83Tlwhz

— KHAM K (@Khamkthedream) July 9, 2023

This is so strange

— tiff. (@ElizaTiffany) July 9, 2023

This is so weird

— Princess of Troy 🏰 (@angie_benjie) July 9, 2023

i got so many questions…

— STARboy ☆ (@jimdeanrick) July 9, 2023

Lmaoooo. As funny as this is, it’s also very concerning that something like this can even be done. As much as I love tech.. I don’t really like where this whole thing is going.

— A - aron💛 (@TheGoldenAdonis) July 9, 2023

When contacted by news.com.au, an SBS spokesperson said: “SBS acquired Deep Fake Neighbour Wars from ITVX in the UK where it was first shown earlier this year. The fictional comedy series uses deepfake technology in this way for the first time, and it’s clear that audiences are finding it as bizarre as we do.”

The six-part mockumentary-style series first premiered on UK streaming service ITVX in January, arriving on Australian screens six months later on June 15.

It’s billed as “the world’s first long form narrative show that uses Deep Fake technology to turn the UK’s best new impressionists into the world’s most famous celebrities”.

All episodes of Deep Fake Neighbour Wars are now available to stream on SBS On Demand.