Oobah Butler, the man who once made a shed the top-rated restaurant in London and sent a fake stand-in to international fashion weeks, is back on Channel 4 with a pair of new projects. Never one to simply observe, Butler is throwing himself into two of modern life’s thorniest thickets: the pursuit of instant wealth and the nightmare of the UK housing market.
First up is How I Made a Million in 90 Days, which sees Butler attempting to mimic the often-dubious practices of business gurus and social media entrepreneurs. Shot largely in the United States, this film looks to expose the mechanics behind the “get rich quick” industry by having Butler himself try to hit that fabled seven-figure mark in just three months. Given Butler’s track record, expect less earnest self-help and more sharp, funny deconstruction of a cultural phenomenon. He’s reportedly meeting some questionable characters and getting a masterclass in questionable business practices.
Then there’s How to Trick Your Way onto the Property Ladder, which sounds exactly as audacious as you might hope. With the UK housing crisis chewing up hopes faster than a broken conveyancing belt, Butler is heading to Liverpool. Here, he aims to help first-time buyers crack a market that seems designed to keep them out. Word has it, he’s not above a few stunts—including, potentially, some light hypnotism of an estate agent—to give ordinary people a fighting chance.
Tim Hancock, a commissioning editor at Channel 4, suggests Butler bridges the gap between internet stunts and proper long-form documentaries. Ben Wicks from Expectation, the production company, notes Butler’s deep dive into, and critique of, modern living. These films, produced by Expectation in association with Oobah Limited for Channel 4, aim to be inventive, funny, and offer keen insight into our times.
