ABC star Annabel Crabb scolded by viewers for Peter Dutton in softball Kitchen Cabinet segment: ‘It’s a sycophantic puff!’
Veteran ABC star Annabel Crabb is under fire for platforming federal opposition leader Peter Dutton on her popular talk show Kitchen Cabinet.
The Conservative politician won’t appear on the series until next week’s episode, but Crabb’s decision to break bread with Dutton is already causing turmoil on social media.
In particular, Crabb has faced backlash for describing Dutton’s politics as “muscular” during a promotional interview for Kitchen Cabinet on ABC news.
One concerned viewer tweeted: “When the words and actions of an arguably far-right and openly racist politician are casually referred to as ‘muscular politics’ by a senior ABC host, I am deeply concerned. Where are we going?’
Another wrote: ‘I don’t need a sycophantic streak to make Dutton ‘reveal’ something about himself. Every hateful, viciously racist word and every act has revealed everything I need to know about him.”
Annabel Crabb (right) is under fire for playing federal opposition leader Peter Dutton (left) in a friendly interview on her popular talk show Kitchen Cabinet
ABC viewers have expressed their outrage on X (formerly Twitter)
Some viewers argued that the Kitchen Cabinet should be canceled due to its problematic nature.
‘Kitchen cabinet may not be extended for another season. Trying to humanize a politician who is manipulatively pushing a no vote is indefensible,” one complained.
Another wrote, “Tend to share the surprise that #KitchenCabinet has come back. Much prefer #BackRoads, which captures people in authentic environments related to everyday life rather than providing a mock stage for reputation enhancement through trivial banter.”
In a piece for ABC, Crabb complimented Dutton’s personality, writing that he is “shyer than you might think.” Funnier than you’d think, too.’
She also explained her decision to go for a softer approach with Dutton on Kitchen Cabinet, which features a mix of home cooking and friendly conversation between Crabb and her guests.
Many viewers were particularly offended by an ABC News interview in which Crabb called Dutton’s politics “muscular”
As for the question, “Are you giving these people a free ride?” Well, sure,” she said on ABC News.
“I interview them in a different way than your Sarah Ferguson-on-the-throat variety, which is absolutely necessary for our democracy, but I also think sometimes if you take a different approach, especially if you’re in someone’s house, you’re polite to them, you are not going to throw things at them.
“But if you make them comfortable enough, they’ll often reveal things about themselves that are actually quite interesting and essential to understanding them, and I think that’s certainly true of the Dutton episode.”
The veteran ABC star has acknowledged that she takes a softer approach with her show and doesn’t want to engage in belligerent dialogue with her guests
Crabb also seemed to acknowledge the inevitable backlash she would receive in a piece for ABC, writing, “There isn’t a living viewer who will be a fan of all eight guests on Kitchen Cabinet this year.”
“But these people make decisions on behalf of all of us. Half an hour to learn how they work is time well spent.’
Outside of Dutton, Kitchen Cabinet’s final season will feature a wide variety of political figures, including National Party’s Bridget McKenzie and former Greens senator Lidia Thorpe.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted ABC for comment.
Kitchen Cabinet is currently airing on ABC and is available to stream on iView.