Remain calm… PM not outraged by Tonightly sketch
"The ABC can be numpties every now and then," says Scott Morrison as ABC stands by satirical sketch.
- Published by David Knox
- on
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declined to weigh into a media story about a sketch on Tonightly with Tom Ballard, after suggestions a sketch was attacking his religion.
The sketch referenced Morrison’s Pentecostal Church amid comment about border protection and other hot topics, with a song by Wyatt Nixon-Lloyd and Bridie Connell. Morrison is a former Immigration Minister and was an opponent of same-sex marriage legislation.
Some Australians are confused about @ScottMorrisonMP’s evangelical faith and the role it plays in his politics. Christian rock duo #TheShadowMinisters explain through song #Tonightly pic.twitter.com/ISMnRxEekL
— Tonightly (@tonightly) August 28, 2018
News Corp articles attacked the sketch as ridiculing his faith, drawing upon plenty of social media outrage.
While comedy by its very nature is out to provoke, this may prove a first test of the new PM’s sense of humour.
Today Morrison denied viewing the segment and told reporters, “The ABC can be numpties every now and then but my faith teaches me to love each other and to turn the other cheek.”
Host Tom Ballard responded on social media to the criticism.
To all the people saying “I bet you wouldn’t have the guts to make jokes about a MUSLIM”, you should know that I make jokes about Barack Obama all the time.
— Tom Ballard #80aday (@TomCBallard) August 29, 2018
Studio 10 also debated the boundaries of sketch comedy, with Denise Drysdale noting media is too quick to attack comedians.
Should mocking religious beliefs of politicians be off-limits? Or is everything fair game? #Studio10 pic.twitter.com/ZDPvVrMhhV
— Studio 10 (@Studio10au) August 29, 2018
A statement by ABC said, “Tonightly is a topical comedy program, aimed at younger adults and broadcast on the comedy channel.
“Over more than 150 episodes it has satirised a wide range of individuals, issues and institutions. It regularly takes on people in positions of authority, regardless of their race, gender, political or religious beliefs.
“’The Shadow Ministers’ musical skit did not ‘attack’ Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s religion or religious beliefs, and to suggest otherwise is to misconstrue the material.
“Most viewers would understand the skit to be a satirical way of examining the relationship between such beliefs and government policies on asylum seekers.
“Mr Morrison has publicly discussed his religious beliefs on numerous occasions, and many media outlets have explored how his faith sits alongside his public policies and statements.”
Tonightly has 5 more shows to air after ABC announced the show would not continue.
- Tagged with Studio 10, Tonightly with Tom Ballard
9 Responses
Funny how many ABC supporters miss the hypocrisy and willingness of the often atheist left to attack Christianity but never Islam.
Ironic considering that Islam is fundamentally sexist (women must only marry one man and cover up) and brutal when it comes to homosexuality.
What many Christians and conservatives want to see is a end of this relentless bashing by our public broadcaster.
If the ABC believes it is disrespectful to treat Muslims poorly the same should apply to Christians.
If the ABC believes in respect for women then Guthrie should have apologized and demanded an end to the derogatory female term “C” ever being used in any show broadcasted on the network.
ABC doesn’t have any rule on treating Muslims poorly, not sure where you got that from. Why is religion off the table in comedy? It is used all around the world. Ever seen Life of Brian? Use of language depends on the context, and on that occasion I thought it was inappropriate. ABC did apologise to the politician involved but ACMA ultimately cleared them and you can read their ruling in a previous post. Next week Ballard will host an episode of Torightly. And why do you not mention the excellent work of Compass or You Can’t Ask That interviewing priests? Very selective.
Total overreaction by the right wing extremists at news corp .tonightly is a brilliant show very funny very topical very clever show .the ABc should reverse their decision to can the show it’s one of the best sketch comedies on tV .a pioneer in this genre.
Overreaction? This is coming from the ABC environmental alarmists scaring the public that doomsday is near. As for Tonightly it is utter crap and the ratings support that.
If you want to view some decent ABC comedy then get your hands on Mother And Son perhaps then you will discover that comedy can be funny without using the “C” word.
It wasn’t making fun of his religious beliefs but pointing out his hypocrisy. If you’re going to bang on about what a great Christian you are & then pass legislation that hurts the poorest people you are fair game. I don’t recall Murdoch’s rags getting outraged when At home with Julia mocked Julia Gillard when she was PM. They are very selective about what they get outraged about.
I see nothing wrong with highlighting the absolute hypocrisy of a persons beliefs versus their actions towards others, and this was the purpose of the skit.
Sharpy,
how do you know his personal beliefs are different to his actions?
He may not agree with everything that is in the bible.
You cant presume just because a person follows a religion then they believe or accept everything about that religion. It would be like saying just because the koran says men are above women and gays should be stoned then all islamic people believe this too.
He was an outspoken critic of marriage equality and abstained from the vote in Parliament, even though his electorate voted yes. That’s enough for me.
I’m going to miss Tonightly, always good for a chuckle