SBS pulled Mark Humphries sketch critical of SBS On Demand
A sketch from comedian Mark Humphries that poked fun at SBS On Demand’s technical problems during the first season of The Handmaid’s Tale in 2017 was binned by SBS.
Humphries posted the sketch – originally made for SBS’s show The Feed – on Instagram yesterday, saying he felt that enough time had passed for the sensitivities at SBS to have abated.
“ This is the only sketch that I’ve made across various shows that has never aired,” Humphries said in the post. “My understanding is that people at SBS took some offence.”
Mark Humphries in the forbidden sketch
The sketch takes the form of a mock apology for SBS On Demand’s buffering problems and ill-timed and repetitive advertising.
“I think it was just pulled out of respect for colleagues at SBS,” Humphries said when contacted by Mumbrella.
“My feeling was that if it had happened at another network we would’ve made a joke about it. And I thought the best way to get on the front foot was to send ourselves up.”
SBS On Demand’s Instagram account responded humorously to Humphries’ Instagram post with a skull emoji. Former SBS TV channel manager Ben Nguyen, now director of programming at Stan, ironically demanded Humphries “Take this down at once!”.
Mark Humphries on Instagram, with SBS On Demand response.
Humphries said he had been disappointed when the sketch was not aired.
“It’s all water under the bridge, I’d be very surprised if someone was still fuming about it,” Humphries said. “SBS On Demand is a terrific service.”
Humphries was on staff with SBS for three years, and has also worked across the ABC and Ten. His most recent TV foray, a satirical segment tacked on to the end of Seven’s 6pm news bulletin, was dropped in February after six months.
Humphries told Mumbrella he was currently making a documentary about the housing crisis that combined humour and serious content. He was not at liberty to reveal which network or service it will air on.
In SBS’s recent annual report, the public broadcaster points out that SBS On Demand enjoys the highest ratings of comparable video streaming apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play. It does not provide monthly users for SBS On Demand.
Screenshot from the sketch
In a written response to a Mumbrella request for comment, SBS thanked Mark for finding the video
“We would have played it sooner, but it was left on an old server that’s been buffering for the past 8 years,” a spokesperson said.
“Seriously, streaming is hard but we’re proud of the improvements we’ve made over many years. SBS On Demand has made great leaps since the early seasons of Handmaid’s Tale.”
SBS has maintained broadcast and BVOD rights for new seasons of the show, with the sixth and final season currently under way.
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