Recent comments by the ABC’s managing director, Hugh Marks, have (finally) focused attention on the ABC’s comedy line-up. Or more precisely, the ABC comedy line-up that exists in various media commentators’ heads. You know, the people saying things like: if a piece of guidance, even if non-binding, creates a no-go zone for ABC comedy and... Read More »
Well, this certainly sounds like bad news: On Thursday, the ABC’s managing director, Hugh Marks, apologised to Rinehart and said the national broadcaster would change its editorial policies. “While the Ombudsman has found that the film did not breach the ABC’s editorial policies, the ABC acknowledges the episode has fallen short of community expectations,” Marks... Read More »
While we were still working on the 2025 Australian Tumbleweeds Awards, the ABC aired the new one-off, satirical, First Nations-led tonight show Always Was Tonight. And new episodes of The Weekly with Charlie Pickering. The contrast between these two structurally similar, topical comedy shows could not be more stark. The Weekly…, as we’ve long documented,... Read More »