Who is Andrew Probyn and why are Aussie Gen Z's obsessed with him?

The ABC’s political editor, Andrew Probyn, has become a TikTok meme

And honestly, we’re as confused as you are! So, if you’re over 25, here’s everything you need to know about how the respected journo went viral.

Who is Andrew Probyn?

He’s ABC News’ Political Editor — and now bonafide TikTok star! He regularly appears on ABC news, usually reporting from the Canberra Press Gallery.

How did Andrew Probyn get so famous?

It all started on Sunday when the journalist asked a series of questions at the Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s press conference announcing a raft of new measures designed to address the escalating Coronavirus crisis.

He had many questions but ended up being admonished — school teacher-style — by the PM after asking a follow-up question about social distancing measures, addressed to the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy.

What did Scott Morrison say to Andrew Probyn?

Here’s the exchange in full:

“Andrew, I’m sorry, you’ve had several questions,” the PM said. “Andrew, I’m sorry, Andrew. I know, but you don’t run the press conference, OK? So I’m going to go to other questions of members of the group. Katharine hasn’t had a question. I’m happy to return to you but let’s just keep it civil. Katharine?”

What are some of the best Andrew Probyn memes?

Oh, there are too, too many to list!

One member, Brooke Taylor, who has seen her video viewed hundreds of thousands of times, says she felt compelled to create the content after getting really “annoyed” by Scott Morrison after his press conference.

“I thought, ‘I know all the words to this!’ Put it on in the background, and posted it. Then, after about an hour, the views kept coming in. And I thought, ‘Oh no, what have I done?’” she told ABC radio.

You started a THING, Brooke!

And we’re totally there for it. Here are a few more of our favourite TikTok Andrew Probyn memes:

What is TikTok?

You really ARE old, aren’t you? TikTok is a social media video-sharing platform used, predominantly, by people aged 13-25.

Users have been posting memes all week featuring different takes on Probyn’s exchange with the PM. Some are set to music, some are lip-synced — some are just straight-up weird!

What does Andrew Probyn think about his TikTok meme?

He’s a fan! Or, at least his kids are — he replied to one user’s shout-out to him via Twitter with the following response:

“This is the only bit of their dad’s ‘work’ that my kids have taken real notice of ... ever. Sad.”

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