When SBS's Struggle Street exploded onto our TV screens two weeks ago it left many agonising over whether it should be condemned as "poverty porn".

Was the series guilty of exploiting the most vulnerable in society purely for entertainment?

In the end, it seemed, Struggle Street had a mostly legitimate reason for existing and provoked genuine debate.

And that conclusion is further confirmed after seeing the first episode of Life on the Dole. If you want to see what genuine, exploitative poverty porn looks like, look no further than Channel Nine's new series.

Almost all aspects of the program appear calculated to stir up the shrillest of Little Englander outrage, slyly implying at every turn that the people featured are at best feckless buffoons and at worst degenerate layabouts actively engaged in gaming the system.

Set in the coastal, resort town of Great Yarmouth during the off-season, Life on the Dole endlessly dog whistles "Scroungers!" and "Bludgers!".

Much of this comes from the language used in the irritating perky narration from actor Claire Harman.

Being on benefits for some is "a way of life" we learn. New rules are making it harder than ever to "live OFF the state", while one house is not a regular home but a "benefits house".

We meet Jordan McDonald and see him struggling to fill in a form to access some extra funds to supplement his £34 ($66.50) a week dole.

The next scene he is sitting on the lounge in his depressing living room.

"Thankfully, a tinnie and the XBox aren't nearly so taxing," chuckles Harman. Apparently, when we are not condemning those who have become victims of structural shifts in the economy, it's OK to get our jollies by taking the mickey out of them.

Then there's unemployed Dean and his mum ("They really like a moan!") and 21-year-old Dean who, tut-tut, is trying to massage his resume to cover up some spells inside for motoring offences.

There are almost endless invitations, small and large, to condemn and to feel superior to the people featured in the show.

And Nine is very happy to play up the perception with a promo calling out the participants for "ripping off the system".

Nine admits it had the series in its back pocket since last year but when it saw the success of Struggle Street decided to rush it to air on the same day and at almost the same time as the SBS show.

Poverty Porn Wednesday, anyone?