Shaun Micallef has clapped back after receiving a brutal sledge from an Australian critic over his latest comedy series, Eve of Destruction.
The new talk show, which featured actor Stephen Curry as a guest in its first episode, was slammed by the critic as ‘filler TV’.
Describing the quirky premise of the series as ‘terminally bland’, the show was also savaged by the journo as featuring ‘activities suitable for primary schoolchildren’.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Micallef posted a screen shot of the one-star review by The Guardian’s Luke Buckmaster and included a typically witty response.
‘Sure, but as terminally bland filler goes, it’s one of the best,’ the 63-year-old TV veteran said.
Launched on Wednesday, Micallef’s Eve of Destruction features a new celebrity guest each week and sees them talk about the two things in life they could not leave behind in the face of ‘a catastrophe’.
Upcoming guests include cricketer Usman Khawaja, comedian Mary Coustas and actress Rebecca Gibney.
Meanwhile, fans of the Mad as Hell star were quick to get behind Shaun’s new show.
Shaun Micallef (pictured) has clapped back after receiving a brutal sledge from an Australian critic over his latest comedy series Eve of Destruction
‘Refreshing and entertaining,’ one follower messaged the star on Shaun’s X post and added: ‘Lovely banter. Keep up the great work, Mr Micallef.’
‘Husband and I are obviously fans of ‘filler’ TV as we both chortled our way through the episode,’ said another user.
Another fan gushed: ‘I thought it was very very funny – loved it. It’s actually brave to be absurd and witty and ridiculous on Aussie TV right now, and you are nailing it.’
Meanwhile, another fan appeared to take their own dig at the Shaun’s poor review.
‘I’m devastated to learn that last night I was p***sing myself laughing at bland filler…’ they wrote.
The new talk show, which featured actor Stephen Curry as a guest in its first episode, was slammed by the critic as ‘filler TV’
The veteran funnyman has appeared on a wealth of successful ABC shows, including Mad As Hell, The Ex PM and The Micallef Program, as well as several shows on commercial networks.
Fans were heartbroken in 2022 when they learned that Mad as Hell had been axed after debuting in 2012.
Hosted by Shaun, the show, which satirises Australian politics, has been a consistent ratings winner for the ABC over a decade.
In its time on air, Mad as Hell has received acclaim from fans and critics alike.
In 2016, the show won a Logie Award for won the Most Outstanding Comedy Program after winning an AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy or Light Entertainment series in 2014.
In 2020, it scored a second AACTA prize for Best Comedy Entertainment Program.
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