Viewers mock ABC’s ‘bizarre’ and ‘cringe’ New Year’s Eve coverage as Play School stars perform medley of children’s songs WAY past kids’ bedtime: ‘Switching this crap off!’

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Viewers had a lot to say about the ABC’s annual New Year’s Eve coverage on Wednesday night. 

To celebrate the arrival of 2026, Australia’s public broadcaster featured a lineup of classic performers during the concert broadcast.

The event started with a performance by 2000s band The Cat Empire, followed by sets from Casey Donovan and Peach PRC. Mel C from the Spice Girls will be the main act.

The biggest complaints came from a decision to have the hosts of the children’s show Play School perform a selection of kids’ songs – including “Wigglerly Woo” and the show’s theme song – very late at night, around 10pm.

One person on X expressed confusion about why the children’s show Play School was airing at 9:45 PM on ABC, joking that all the kids were already asleep.

Someone else stated they’d had enough and was turning it off, adding that while they were sorry to miss Casey, they couldn’t tolerate it any longer.

Someone suggested cutting funding for what they called ‘silly’ programs, and another person reacted in disbelief, specifically questioning the idea of cutting funding for the children’s show ‘Play School’.

Someone expressed their disappointment, calling the current situation embarrassing. They noted it was 9:42 PM and requested rock music instead of kids’ songs to celebrate the new year.

One more questioned: ‘Why didn’t they do this before the 9pm fireworks?’  

A viewer expressed frustration, asking how #abcnye consistently books artists to perform uninspired and inappropriate songs at their New Year’s Eve event each year.

‘Have the organisers never been to a decent party in their life? Every year it gets worse.’ 

Someone else pointed out that the children’s area should have been finished before 9 p.m. They added that everyone was already tired and not upset enough to deal with it now.

The Cat Empire also received criticism, with some people noting that their band members and style felt outdated.

One viewer shared their excitement online, saying they were happy they watched the 2002 New Year’s Eve celebration on ABC, highlighting performances by Mel C, Casey Donovan, and The Cat Empire.

It would be funny if all the bands performing on ABC’s New Year’s Eve broadcast began their sets by playing a song from their latest album.

Someone else wondered why the performance was still happening, calling the group terrible and saying five songs was far too much.

Someone expressed strong dissatisfaction with the New Year’s Eve coverage, criticizing it as awful and blaming ‘Crap Empire’ for another disappointing broadcast. They used harsh language to convey their frustration.

Someone else commented that The Cat Empire used to be great, but their performance tonight wasn’t up to par. They also expressed disappointment with ABC’s New Year’s Eve coverage, saying it’s been underwhelming in the past.

One viewer expressed frustration, saying they consistently struggle to understand why the atmosphere at these concerts doesn’t feel right.

It shouldn’t be difficult to play some lively, popular songs that get people singing and dancing. It’s strange that they often pick such odd choices.

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2025-12-31 14:33