Everyone Wants To Run The ABC Now That Michelle Guthrie Has Been Fired
"Michelle Guthrie is cancelled and that's tea sis"
It’s been just over an hour since the ABC announced the sacking of Managing director Michelle Guthrie, and already everyone and their dog wants to be the new chief.
People are taking to social media to put the “public” back in “public broadcaster”, and as it turns out, they have a fair few ideas about what the ABC could be doing differently. Whether those ideas are good…well, see for yourself:
Thrilled to announce I am the new ABC MD. The channel is now exclusively for playing the bits in Antiques Roadshow when chinless weirdos are told that their Edwardian ceramic jug is worthless.
— Ben Jenkins (@bencjenkins) September 24, 2018
Im the new ABC managing director. I'm cancelling Rage. It has always sucked. The intro freaks people out.
— Jacky Vening (@JerkVening) September 24, 2018
I am the new ABC Managing Director because i pitched a show which is basically Gogglebox, except at the opera
— 🌸🌿🐶Patrick Lenton🐕🍃🌸 (@PatrickLenton) September 24, 2018
I will be applying for the ABC managing director job. If successful I will seek revenge on all within the ABC who have wronged me, plus get Tony Martin to do sarcastic voiceovers during Q&A https://t.co/B2obimfVsu
— 𝙹𝚘𝚑𝚗 𝚂𝚊𝚏𝚛𝚊𝚗 (@JohnSafran) September 24, 2018
I have no good ABC Managing Director jokes at this time. Thank you.
— Christian McCrea (@christianmccrea) September 24, 2018
As the new ABC MD, I'm thrilled to announce we're renewing @Tonightly
— Ti Butler👩🎤 (@tibutler) September 24, 2018
Meanwhile, others are taking the lead of outgoing director Michelle Guthrie and letting ABC Larry do the talking.
Larry thanks outgoing ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie for her service – https://t.co/IvhV8Oa7CL pic.twitter.com/Mysi3CrdM7
— Crikey.com.au (@crikey_news) September 24, 2018
A Message from Larry. pic.twitter.com/0cc1NaOpvf
— Stilgherrian (@stilgherrian) September 24, 2018
In seriousness, though, the media union is encouraging the public to voice serious suggestions as to what they’d like a new ABC director to focus on. If you’ve got thoughts on what the public broadcaster should be prioritising, now’s the time to make them known. And if all you’ve got are jokes, well, maybe it’s worth calling for a new managing director to support Australian comedy.
The next managing director must be an advocate for a better funding deal for the ABC with a commitment to public broadcasting and to Australian content. What other qualities would you like to see?
https://t.co/KPSzjS3rIT #HandsOffOurABC— MEAA (@withMEAA) September 24, 2018