Channel 7’s new funnyman hits back at haters

It’s been a few weeks since comedian Mark Humphries started his new segment on Seven News. And he’s got a simple message for people who don’t like it.

6.57pm News with Mark Humphries.

It’s been a few weeks since Seven’s resident comedian Mark Humphries first rounded out the news bulletin with his comedy segment, which has been met with mixed reviews.

And now, in his first interview since his debut, the funnyman has hit back at his haters, and says he is offended by claims Seven writes his script.

Humphries was recruited by Seven’s new director of news and current affairs, Anthony De Ceglie in June, to perform a segment for the Sydney bulletin.

It’s a weekly segment after the news bulletin on Fridays and is just one of the many questionable changes being introduced to the channel.

While some like the “feel good“ segment, like one person who took to social media to write, “You’re the best, so good to have a laugh after all the doom and gloom, others claim the segment is simply “cringe”.

Others were also sceptical Humphries was even writing his own script.

6.57pm News with Mark Humphries.

“I’m not sure who at Seven would be giving me a script but they’re welcome to do so; it would certainly save me the time of writing one alongside one of my regular co-writers,” Humphreys told Sunday Confidential.

He added that the segment was such a hit on social media, he is campaigning to extend his slot.

“I’m chuffed with the social media viewership,” he said. “Last week’s segment has been viewed over two million times on TikTok so I think Seven should give me 57 minutes and the rest of the news should be wrapped up in three.”

Mark Humphries.

Many have made fun of the segment, with one critic taking to social media to write, “At least everyone now has time to have a crap and make a hot chocolate before Home and Away starts.”

Humphries response? “The great thing about The 6:57pm News is that if it’s not your cup of tea, you know exactly when to avoid it,” he said.

On the ABC’s 7.30 Humphries – along with comedy writer Evan Williams and editor Chloe Angelo – performed sketches about the daily news, with his standout character being Nationals MP Barabbas Loins, based on Barnaby Joyce.