Comedian Mark Humphries has hit back at critics of his weekly satirical show on Channel Seven News.
The presenter of The 6.57pm News which airs on Friday nights has revealed his thoughts on viewers who failed to see the funny side of his take on the news.
Speaking on Stellar’s Something To Talk About podcast, Humphries said the criticism of his comedy spot was motivated by “hostility towards new ideas” and called the reaction “strange”.
Humphries is asked if the podcast episode should have been called ‘In conversation with the man they say has ruined television news forever’.
“I think it’s fair,” Humphries said.
I think that is absolutely true.”
‘I was very surprised because I worked for five years on 7.30, ABC’s flagship current affairs programme, which I think of all the programmes that have a comedy segment, this one is even less likely to have one.’
“I didn’t know people were so interested in the 6 o’clock news and defending their integrity.”
Mark Humphries (pictured) has revealed his thoughts on viewers who failed to see the funny side of his take on the news.
Humphries (pictured) told the Stellar podcast that hostility does not foster creativity, making people feel anxious and nervous about trying something different.
He added that his ad aired in the last three minutes of the work week just before Better Homes And Gardens.
Humphries suggested that the good thing about having his segment titled The 6.57pm News is that critics of his humour know exactly when to stop listening to him.
Humphries said he simply tries to block out the criticism and tries to simply focus on the work, not letting it distract him from what he needs to do.
On the podcast, Humphries said he wonders where the hostility toward new ideas comes from.
He said this hostility does not encourage creativity and makes people feel anxious and nervous about trying something different.
Humphries was brought in after a management shake-up at Seven and a series of redundancies.
Humphries has spoken about how he is gaining new fans around the world on social media after mocking Donald Trump in a recent segment.
“I’m gonna sound like an old man when I say this, but I’m killing it on TikTok.”
“I think we’re close to hitting a million views with the latest segment, because I think there are a lot of Americans who don’t like Donald Trump.”
“And that segment is doing well.”
“Better than The Project,” was another comment.
As for the reaction, Humphries previously said he’s trying to take it all in stride.
“The worst thing anyone said about me that sticks with me is, ‘I look like a Ken doll gone wrong!'”