Channel 7 News’ new Mark Humphries comedy skit roasted

Channel 7’s major bulletin shake-up appears to have been panned by some.

Channel 7’s major bulletin shake-up appears to have been panned by some.

Last month it was announced that Sydney-based comedian Mark Humphries, best known for his work on ABC’s The Roast, would take to the desk at the tail-end of all Seven’s 6pm news bulletin on Friday nights, rounding out the hour with his signature brand of humour.

The new segment kicked off on Friday night.

It comes a day after veteran Channel 7 anchor Sharyn Ghidella left the broadcaster’s Brisbane bureau and mocked the new comedy slot on her way out.

The satirical swerve came courtesy of newly appointed news director Anthony De Ceglie who said the segment “will use satire to cut through political spin and translate current affairs in the universal news language of taking the piss”.

Channel 7’s news division is trying to pick itself up after multiple departures following the Bruce Lehrmann scandal as well as the sacking of high profile reporter Robert Ovadia.

Mr De Ceglie has also said 7News will introduce an astrology segment, which has also raised eyebrow.

“Is your first sketch going to send up Channel 7 having an astrology spot included in the news?” asked a viewer on social media.

It did not.

Comic Mark Humphries’ The 6.57pm News segment debuted on Friday on Channel 7. Picture: Supplied/Channel 7

Humphries’ three minutes premiered on Friday under the banner The 6.57pm News.

Tightly produced to deliberately look like a continuation of the news, there was low hanging fruit with US President Joe Biden’s crucial press conference airing earlier that day.

“His press conference was delayed for over an hour, presumably because the President was running late … or more likely waddling late,” said Humphries.

“Biden who is 81 – but doesn’t look a day over 90 – spoke smoothly on a variety of issues and allayed voters fears about his age … is what I wish I could tell you.

“Instead, this happened …”

Humphries then played a clip of Mr Biden confusing Kamala Harries with Donald Trump.

The segment then paid another clip of Mr Biden whispering on the lectern.

“Very reassuring and not weird at all,” the comic said.

Biden was an easy win for the debut segment. Picture: Channel 7.

Humphries said Mr Biden was suffering from a condition called “that guy old” the symptoms of which were confusing names, long pause, “and keeping your mouth just that little bit open with that slightly disappointed look like Bunnings just told you the sausage sizzle is closed”.

He concluded with: “But if you think that’s bad, wait till you find out the condition the other candidate has ‘that guy convicted felon’”.

Reviews were good, and not so good. Picture: 7News.

‘Deplorable’/‘loved this’

It was classic Humphries which would be familiar to those who have seen his work on the ABC. But some Channel 7 viewers were not impressed.

“This was an appalling segment … hire, rather than sack, journos,” said one on 7News’ social media.

“It was a deplorable segment that has no place in a news bulletin,” was another take.

“At least everyone now has time to have a crap and make a hot chocolate before Home and Away starts,” said another.

There were fans though.

“Made me think of Clarke and Dawe and their brilliance,” one said in a reference to the Channel 9 and later ABC satirical news satire show that ended in 2017.

“Loved this,” said another.

“Better than The Project,” was another comment.

Seven news reporter Sharyn Ghidella left the network this week. She wasn’t happy at the comedy skit.

The 6.57pm debut awkwardly comes just a day after Sharyn Ghidella, who presented Channel 7’s Brisbane bulletin, was sacked by the network and then went on to criticise the new segment online.

“I’m not one to have my evening news served up with humour and horoscopes either, so, to be honest, it is time to go,” Ghidella wrote.

“You’ve sacked Sharyn Ghidella and now at the end of the news you have a very unfunny, stupid, moronic idiot on!” was one unflattering opinion.

News.com.au understands the seasoned journalist was offered the opportunity to farewell viewers formally, with the network preferring she remain on-air for several more weeks but Ghidella declined.

“After 17 years at 7, apparently, my time is up,” she wrote.

“It’s not quite how I expected it to end after 38 years in the industry, but hey, that’s TV.”

Originally published as Channel 7 News’ new Mark Humphries comedy skit roasted