Melbourne Comedy Festival backflips over claims they ‘cancelled’ Barry Humphries

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is currently exploring ways to honor Barry Humphries after it was accused of ‘cancelling’ the beloved icon following his sudden death.

Humphries died on Saturday at the age of 89 during the last weekend of the annual month-long festival.

While event organizers acknowledged his death in a statement, the MICF decided not to include an official tribute to the international star in the rest of its program.

This led to some people claiming that the festival had deliberately “dismissed” Humphries over transphobic comments he made in 2018.

But on Monday, the MICF told their social media followers that they had not canceled the comedic genius behind Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson and were developing a “appropriate tribute” to him.

“The news of Barry Humphries passing in the final 24 hours of the 2023 festival was momentous,” they wrote.

Humphries died on Saturday during the last weekend of the annual month-long festival. While event organizers acknowledged his death in a statement, the MICF decided not to include an official tribute to the international star in the rest of its program.

“As of today, we regroup and begin planning a fitting tribute to his comedic genius and leadership in creating a global platform for Australian comedy.”

Meanwhile, festival director Susan Provan said they never “cancelled” on Humphries and continued to celebrate his brilliance.

“We have celebrated, and continue to celebrate, Barry, an incredible cartoonist who has taken Australian comedy worldwide. We greatly appreciate his contribution to the comedy festival,” she said in a statement.

This led to some people claiming that the festival had deliberately “dismissed” Humphries over transphobic comments he made in 2018. Pictured: Barry in the role of Dame Edna Everage

The famed entertainer helped create the festival in 1987, which has become one of the world’s biggest comedy events.

But Humphries fell out with organizers after an uproar over comments he made five years ago that were seen as ‘anti-trans’ – with comedians such as Hannah Gadsby speaking out against Humphries on Twitter at the time.

Organizers said there were no plans for an official tribute on the closing day of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, which ran from March 29 to April 23.

It added that individual comedians – there were 316 performances scheduled for the day – were free to pay tribute in their own way.

But on Monday, the MICF told their social media followers that they had not canceled the comedic genius behind Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson and were developing a “appropriate tribute” to him.

However, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on Sunday did post a heartfelt message on social media.

‘Having started his career in Melbourne, Barry’s early support, along with (English comedian) Peter Cook, helped put the festival on the map nationally and internationally.

He will be remembered by legions of fans around the world for his humour, inimitable characters and caustic satire. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Val Barry.’

The talented comedian was a Melbourne-raised school dropout who achieved international fame for his outrageous characters, including the camp Dame Edna Everage and the politically incorrect Sir Les Patterson.

Humphries, 89, died peacefully in Sydney on Saturday surrounded by close family, including wife Lizzie Spender whom he married in 1990 and children Tessa, Emily, Oscar and Rupert, and 10 grandchildren.

Humphries, 89, died peacefully in Sydney on Saturday surrounded by close family, including wife Lizzie Spender. Both pictured