GB News has had a rocky few days.
After viewing figures plummeted to zero for some shows, thanks to a boycott prompted by one host’s televised taking of the knee, the channel has struggled to keep anyone happy.
The liberal left were already exasperated by its self-styled “anti-woke” agenda and perceived hypocrisy – one minute saying it was staunchly anti-racism, the next saying taking the knee was an “unacceptable breach of its standards” – while the right were furious by its perceived “virtue-signalling”.
So, its executives must have asked, how to get the network back on track? Give Nigel Farage his own prime time slot, of course.
Yesterday, the former Brexit Party leader celebrated the launch of his programme, which will air Monday-Thursday at 7pm, by cheersing a pint in the GB News studio alongside senior Tory Sir Graham Brady.
Farage raised a glass of India pale ale to his guest before taking a sip, declaring: “Excellent,” and optimistically boasting: “Now that should get the puritans screaming.”
"Every pub is a parliament"
— GB News (@GBNEWS) July 19, 2021
Nigel Farage welcomes Graham Brady to his studio pub for the first "talking pints" pic.twitter.com/nUOZZ4MXhE
The hour-long show also featured he channel’s political correspondent Tom Harwood, who broadcast live from anti-lockdown protests in Downing Street and didn’t quite get the reception he’d have hoped for.
As he kicked off his report, a furious activist popped up behind him and subjected him to a blistering critique of the media who she branded “scum” and other unrepeatable insults.
This is literally the Britain Nigel Farage and Tom Harwood created! pic.twitter.com/was0Mpar83
— *Followed by 96k Anti-Tories* (@MarieAnnUK) July 19, 2021
So, all in all, it wasn’t totally smooth sailing.
But don’t take our word for it, here’s what viewers made of its all, starting with the critics:
Full Alan Partridge with the production values of Crossroads. https://t.co/weQrz5IbI7
— BadBabyBunny 🐇 (@BadBabyBunny1) July 20, 2021
So Farage is now ranting and raving about migrants and I predict his time on our screens will be limited because sooner or later it's going to be a matter for OFCOM.. this is meant to be a news channel but no balance
— Otto English (@Otto_English) July 19, 2021
“Every pub in this country is a parliament,” says Farage, roughly taking the corpse of satire from behind while he reaches for more pork scratchings.
— Mic Wright (@brokenbottleboy) July 19, 2021
Idea for show “talking pints 🍻 with Nigel Farage” pic.twitter.com/NicYpWevth
— Ian Jones (@icj50) July 19, 2021
If you ever wondered what the idiom "howling at the moon" means, this may help... https://t.co/9UzYFhcX6v
— Gary Gilligan #BLM #FreeNazanin #GTTO #3.5% (@garygilligan) July 19, 2021
I see the sound quality had gotten worse again - all I can hear is a whining coming from the far right.
— enbee💙 (@neilbobb) July 19, 2021
Pretty awful stuff on Nigel Farage's new GB News show. Tom Harwood is put on air with a woman screaming abuse at him, with an anti-vaxx banner in the background pic.twitter.com/u5XhmvP3hA
— Sam Bright (@WritesBright) July 19, 2021
There were, nonetheless, plenty of fans, some of whom suggested Farage might be the man to “save” GB News.
'@GBNEWS has been a therapeutic experience this evening
— James Wells (@JamesfWells) July 19, 2021
▪️Hope on @Nigel_Farage that @SirGrahamBrady appeared & is very critical of gov
▪️Common sense framing of covid restrictions with @danwootton
Improved set & lighting; what fantastic 7-12 schedule when @afneil returns 👍
Anyone watching Nigel?
— Patricia Page🇬🇧🏴 (@Patricia344130) July 19, 2021
He’s so articulate & a professional presenter. Like him or not.
Hope this show continues.@Nigel_Farage @GBNEWS
Nigel Farage has definitely saved @GBNEWS.
— Jo Marney (@_JoMarney) July 19, 2021
It was going so far downhill; with those cheeseball chat-show presenters and the chit chat about Love Island. 🍺 https://t.co/s9misekQo8
Others, including left-wing pundits and politicians, admired Harwood’s composure after he was verbally attacked:
My gosh, this is absolutely awful. Well done for keeping going.
— Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) July 19, 2021
The episode came just hours after it emerged that presenter and political commentator Guto Harri had quit the channel owing to the taking the knee fallout.
According to the BBC, the journalist and former advisor to Boris Johnson decided to leave the channel after he was suspended following a viewer backlash over his actions.
Last week GB News apologised after Harri made the gesture on air in response to the abuse suffered by members of the national side following their loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
In the statement, the channel said: “[We] stand four square against racism in all its forms. We do not have a company line on taking the knee.
“Some of our guests have been in favour, some against. All are anti-racist. We have editorial standards that all GB News journalists uphold.
“On Tuesday a contributing presenter took the knee live on air and this was an unacceptable breach of our standards.
“We let both sides of the argument down by oversimplifying a very complex issue.”
GB News stands four square against racism in all its forms. We do not have a company line on taking the knee. Some of our guests have been in favour, some against. All are anti-racist. We have editorial standards that all GB News journalists uphold.
— GB News (@GBNEWS) July 15, 2021
Writing in the Sunday Times, Harri said: “I joined, part-time but with an ongoing commitment, because I liked and trusted those in charge and supported the broad vision.
“But the channel is rapidly becoming an absurd parody of what it proclaimed to be.
“Rather than defending free speech and confronting cancel culture, it has set out to replicate it on the far right.”
On Saturday it was announced that Farage would present a daily show for the network.
The former Ukip and Reform UK leader said he “will not be taking the knee for anyone on this show” in a video announcing the news.
No, but he might topple over if he begins every episode with a few pints in his “parliament pub”.
