Grace Tame’s new ABC podcast has sparked backlash from one of the broadcaster’s own stars – with Charlie Pickering describing the decision to bring Tame on board as ‘problematic’.

The new series, Autistic AF with Grace Tame, premiered on the broadcaster’s ‘We Need To Talk’ series on Tuesday.

The launch follows the former Australian of the Year’s recent claims that she could not get work following pro-Palestine comments.

TV host and comedian Charlie Pickering – who converted to Judaism before marrying his Jewish-American wife Sarah Krasnostein – gave a brutally honest opinion when he was asked about the appointment by Rebel News Australia.

‘I do actually think it’s problematic – that’s my personal opinion,’ The Weekly host said.

‘And as you would understand, and as a Jewish Australian, there is a complete misunderstanding about a lot of words that were said and the true meaning of them.

‘People are using words and phrases that have meaning well beyond they think they do.’

Pickering was referencing Tame’s ‘globalise the intifada’ comments at a rally just weeks after the Bondi terrorist attack on a Jewish Hannukah celebration. Intifadas were periods of violence and uprising by Palestinians against Israeli occupation.

The ABC has come under fire over the launch of its new Autistic AF with Grace Tame podcast

Pickering was also asked if Tame was misunderstood and if people can plead ignorance over their comments.

‘I think a lot of people could argue that (people who) jump on protest bandwagons are ignorant, a lot of time,’ he replied.

He was asked directly if Tame was ignorant. ‘I wouldn’t say that,’ Pickering said.

The broadcaster’s appointment of Tame, 31, has sparked a wave of outrage led by Jewish community leaders.

‘It seems the ABC has determined that Grace Tame is fit for employment at public expense after screaming chants… and a radio interview in which she doubled down on her comments questioning the widespread pack rape and sexual torture committed by Hamas, which the terrorists themselves never denied,’ Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin told Daily Mail in a statement.

‘Everyone deserves a second chance but Tame has shown no remorse or regret whatsoever.

‘The effect of this… sends a message that her obscene conduct carries no consequences and even brings public contracts.’

ABC star Charlie Pickering (pictured with his Jewish-American wife Sarah Krasnostein) gave a brutally honest opinion about Grace Tame’s new podcast

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Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory slammed the ABC as ‘tone deaf.’

‘Tame was condemned across the political spectrum and has publicly complained about difficulties obtaining speaking engagements following her comments but it appears that nothing is too outrageous for the ABC,’ he said.

‘The question Australians should be asking is simple: with so many talented and respected people available, why did the ABC choose Grace Tame?

‘This decision demonstrates a profound lack of judgment and a disregard for the concerns of many Australians, particularly within the Jewish community.

‘It reinforces the growing perception that ABC management is increasingly out of touch with the communities it is supposed to serve.

‘ABC would have been aware of the distress this decision would cause to many Australians, and it therefore seems designed to generate controversy.’

The ABC would not specifically comment on Pickering or the backlash when contacted by Daily Mail on Tuesday afternoon.

‘Grace Tame is a high-profile public figure and former Australian of the Year who has spoken openly about her experience as an autistic woman and has advocated on neurodivergent issues,’ a spokesperson said.

Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame recently claimed that she could not get work following pro-Palestine comments. She is pictured at a Sydney rally in February

‘The ABC has been working with Ms Tame on this series since late 2025.

‘The purpose of this series is to explore the diversity of lived experience among women and gender diverse people with autism in Australia and includes a range of contributors.’

Tame’s new role comes just months after she faced backlash for an interview with ABC Sydney Mornings host Hamish Macdonald in March.

Macdonald asked, on behalf of a listener, why she is ‘selective in her outrage’ after they said they had never heard her condemn or speak out about Israeli women who were raped and killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

‘I’m not going to sink to the level of … of entertaining any kind of propaganda, Hamish. Let’s not do that,’ Tame said.

‘What’s the “propaganda” included in that question?’ Macdonald asked.

Tame said: ‘Those things have been debunked. Violence is happening on both sides, but this is not a fair fight. We’re not talking about two equal cohorts, even marginally.’

In her new podcast, Tame explores what life is like for women and gender-diverse people with autism, including her experiences with food and sound sensitivity, as well as ‘masking’.

‘Masking is effectively hiding or changing your traits, needs or interests in order to navigate a world designed primarily for neurotypical people,’ she told ABC presenter Yumi Stynes in the debut episode.

‘The toll of masking can be catastrophic, because those needs still need to be met.

‘I used alcohol and drugs as a coping strategy, which is sadly normalised and easily accessible. Now I turn to running and cycling to regulate my emotions.

‘Exercise has been a really effective tool for emotional regulation and trauma recovery, and it also allows me to socialise in a way that doesn’t require small talk.’