Comedian Mark Humphries has hit back at critics of his weekly satirical spot on Channel Seven’s news.
The host of The 6.57pm News that airs on Friday nights has revealed his thoughts on viewers who didn’t see the funny side of his take on the news.
Speaking on the Stellar podcast Something To Talk About, Humphries said the criticism to his comedy spot was sparked by ‘hostility to new ideas’ and labelled the reaction ‘bizarre’.
Humphries is asked whether the episode of the podcast should have been called ‘In conversation with the man they say has ruined television news forever’.
‘I think that’s fair,’ Humphries said.
I think that’s absolutely true.’
‘I was so stunned because I did five years at 7.30, the ABC’s flagship current affairs program, which I think of all the shows to have a comedy segment, that’s even less likely to have one.’
‘I didn’t know people felt so strongly about the 6 o’clock news and how its integrity must be defended.’
Mark Humphries (pictured) has revealed his thoughts on viewers who didn’t see the funny side of his take on the news
Humphries (pictured) said on the Stellar podcast hostility doesn’t encourage creativity, making people anxious and nervous about trying something different
He added that his spot aired in the last three minutes of the working week right before Better Homes And Gardens.
Humphries suggested the great thing about having his segment titled The 6.57pm News is that critics of his humour know precisely when to tune out.
Humphries said that he just tries to block out the criticism and tries to simply focus on the work, without letting it distract him from what he needs to.
In the podcast Humphries said he wonders where the hostility to new ideas comes from.
He said this hostility doesn’t encourage creativity, making people anxious and nervous about trying something different.
Humphries was brought in after a change-up in management at Seven and a slew of redundancies
Humphries has spoken of how he is gaining new fans around the world on social media after skewering Donald Trump in a recent segment.
‘I’m going to sound like an old man when I say this, but I’m blowing up on TikTok.’
‘I think we’re just about to hit a million views with the most recent segment, because I think there’s a lot of Americans out there who are not fond of Donald Trump.’
‘And so that segment’s doing all right.’
‘Better than The Project,’ was another comment.
As for the backlash, Humphries previously said he is trying to take it all in his stride.
‘The worst thing that was said about me, that stays with me is, ‘I look like a Ken Doll gone wrong!’
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