Mark Humphries has spoken out after being criticised for his new comedy segment as part of Channel Seven News following a restructuring at the network.
The comedian appeared on 2DAY FM’s show. Hughesy, Ed and Erin on Tuesday and admitted he was nervous about venturing into new territory.
“The reality was that up until that morning it had been a week with very little news and I was panicking,” he said.
‘As soon as they said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States,” I thought, “This is going to be good!” I knew then that everything was going to be okay.’
As for the reaction, Mark is trying to take it in stride.
“The worst thing anyone has ever said about me that sticks in my memory is, ‘I look like a Ken doll gone wrong,'” he said, laughing.
This comes after Australians threatened to boycott Channel Seven after the network debuted a new satirical segment hosted by Humphries.
The 6:57pm newscast will be a weekly segment following the Friday news bulletin and is just one of a number of changes being introduced to the channel.
Mark Humphries (pictured) has spoken out after being criticised for his new comedy segment as part of Channel Seven News following a restructuring at the network.
Humphries decided to make several jokes about President Joe Biden after the latter made several gaffes during a high-pressure press conference.
“Today, people around the world were waiting with bated breath to hear from Joe Biden, the leader of the free world, for now,” the comedian began.
‘His press conference was delayed by more than an hour, presumably because the President was late or, more likely, because he was late walking.
“And you know it was serious because of the way the White House presented it. A big boy press conference. And that’s technically correct if you use Benjamin Button’s definition of ‘boy.'”
“Biden, who is 81 but doesn’t look a day older than 90, spoke fluently on a variety of issues and allayed voters’ fears about his age – that’s what I wish I could tell you.”
The comedian appeared on 2DAY FM’s Hughesy, Ed & Erin on Tuesday and admitted he was nervous about venturing into new territory. “The reality was that up until that morning it had been a very slow news week and I was panicking,” he said.
Australians have threatened to boycott Channel Seven after the network debuted a new satirical segment hosted by Humphries which debuted on Friday.
“Well, it didn’t fail,” Seven presenter Angela Cox said at the end of the segment.
However, viewers were divided over the sketch, with many sharing their opinions on social media.
“You have sacked Sharyn Ghidella and now at the end of the news you have a very dumb, stupid and unfunny idiot. I will never watch Seven News again,” wrote one woman on X.
“Channel 7 news is doing a terrible job copying @cheapseatsau lol,” said a third.
‘A fourth user shared: ‘There’s just one problem with @7NewsSydney’s new 6:57pm news idea. It’s not funny.’
However, others who tuned in to the segment at home said they enjoyed the segment.
“A bloody triumph,” one man wrote on Instagram, while a second wrote: “I did it!”
Humphries rose to prominence on ABC’s satirical show The Roast, and also appeared on the network’s 7.30 and Insiders.
The comedian hosted the Australian version of BBC show Pointless, which was cancelled after four months in 2019. Humphries later revealed the franchise didn’t work here because it “lacked the comedic banter” of the UK version.
Humphries has also previously appeared on SBS’s The Feed and ABC’s Insiders.