The ABC's annual New Year's Eve coverage was disappointing for many viewers.
Hosted by Charlie Pickering, Zan Rowe and Concetta Caristo, the show featured a variety of artists including Angie McMahon, Mark Seymour and Grent Perez.
But it was Brisbane indie electro-pop band Confidence Man that drew the ire of some viewers at home.
“It’s like a sixth-year talent search,” one viewer wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“What kind of bullshit is this…” wrote another, while someone else added: “Why are these idiots even bothering when they lip-sync downright horribly?”
The ABC's annual New Year's Eve coverage was disappointing for many viewers. Hosted by Charlie Pickering, Zan Rowe and Concetta Caristo, the show featured a variety of artists including Angie McMahon, Mark Seymour and Grent Perez. The hosts are pictured
“This techno, synth, prancing, fake, lip-syncing, narcissistic, empty crap is fucking awful!!!” Throw them in the harbor! added another.
“Is this a Rock Eisteddfod Secondary School national competition?” another viewer chimed in, saying again: “Is that Sacha Baron Cohen kidding us?”
At the start of the show, Melbourne singer Angie McMahon took to the stage to sing an inspired version of Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares To You alongside an original track called Pasta.
However, it was her assessment of the Israel-Palestine conflict that worried some viewers.
It was Brisbane indie electro-pop band Confidence Man that drew the ire of some viewers at home. Pictured
“Is this a Rock Eisteddfod Secondary School national competition?” asked one spectator
“It’s like a sixth year talent search,” one viewer wrote on X
“Kill Angie McMahon the wannabe activist, RAS!!!” one viewer wrote, before adding: “What a disgrace.”
“What happened to an entertaining evening for all without a painful political statement?” “It's hard to believe this 'unbiased' channel still exists when it's funded by taxpayers and costs billions every year,” wrote another.
'Such a shame!! “Political activism everywhere,” commented a third.
“Worst New Year's Eve broadcast ever, I turned that crap off.” ABC, what a joke and whoever organized all the New Year's Eve fireworks, it's the worst thing I've ever seen. “I turned it off immediately when I realized it was just another wake-up show,” wrote one more.
Viewers had a variety of complaints, but others enjoyed the show
Others supported the political message, with one person saying: “My goodness.” I suspect ABC will lose the rights to New Year's Eve fireworks coverage because an artist said the P-word, and by that I mean Palestine.
“Everyone talks about free speech, but it seems the real snowflakes are the ones who can't even stand a word being uttered **cough**.”
While others were bored by the performances and some complained that there were too many ballads for such a celebratory event.
“Is ABC trying to put us to sleep?!?” I've heard better music at a funeral!' one person wrote.
“At the rate we're going, I think everyone will fall asleep and miss the fireworks this year,” said another.
Melbourne singer Angie McMahon (pictured) took to the stage to sing an inspired version of Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares To You
However, it was her assessment of the Israel-Palestine conflict that worried some viewers
“Is anyone going to sing happy, happy party songs tonight??? “What about the ballads??' added a third.
However, not all comments were negative.
Mark Seymour's stirring rendition of Talking Heads' “Once in a Lifetime” was met with widespread praise.
“Oh that's Mark Seymour's inspiration!!!” wrote one viewer.
He received even more praise when the former Hunters & Collectors frontman sang their most endearing hit, “Throw Your Arms Around Me.”
“Mark Seymour is simply a national treasure!” wrote another.
Elsewhere, viewers enjoyed Grent Perez's spirited performance.
“What a wonderful surprise it was to see Grent Perez. 'I've never heard of him tonight, but he's got talent!' wrote a delighted audience.
“Grant Perez, what a talent! Legend,” wrote another.
Some were bored by the performances and others complained that there were too many ballads for such a solemn event. “Is ABC trying to put us to sleep?!?” I've heard better music at a funeral!' one person wrote