Viewers Slam Lock Upp as "Scripted" and "Rage Bait"

Not everyone bought into the Lock Upp phenomenon. A vocal section of viewers slammed the Netflix edition as "scripted" and "theatrical", calling it "rage bait" designed to manufacture outrage.

The most repeated allegation: host favouritism — with Farah Khan's shouting and interventions seen by critics as steering narratives rather than refereeing them.

The makers never directly addressed the scripting allegations. The debate — authentic reality vs produced drama — follows every controversial reality show, but Lock Upp's confessional format made it burn hotter than most.