ABC 24 accidentally plays a comedy clip after introducing former Air Chief Marshall Sir Angus Houston on the one year anniversary of the downing of MH17.

ABC news just had a rather awkward moment on live television.

While discussing the shocking new footage from the aftermath of the MH17 plane crash, the channel accidentally crossed to a comedy show.

The clip of Bernard Black from British comedy Black Books screaming “What!? What!?” jarred with the serious coverage of the tragedy on the one-year anniversary of the disaster.

Viewers, who had been expecting to see former head of the defence force Sir Angus Houston making a comment, took to Twitter to express their confusion and amusement.

Some hardly believed their eyes.

#abcnews24 WTF did I just see? — Gunner Rawson (@FurphyGunner) July 16, 2015

Others found the mistake very funny.

@BreakfastNews please don't get the person who played the black books grab prematurely in too much trouble. We enjoyed it. — Tian G (@IanWithaT) July 16, 2015

A few people were offended by the error.

Black books instead of an interview regarding #MH17 was broadcasted during ABC NEWS breakfast. Shame. @abcnews — Meng Wang (@Meng_ITmind) July 16, 2015

Several enjoyed the glimpse of angry Irish bookshop owner, played by comedian Dylan Moran.

Excellent mistake on #breakfastnews showing Dylan Moran screeching incoherently on Black Books instead of crossing to Angus Houston. — Tim Jones (@forthleft) July 16, 2015

And one suggested the sheer frustration expressed in the scene was strangely appropriate.

@BreakfastNews I know that Black Books clip was incorrect, but it must be the kind of bull he'd have to deal with in getting to the crash — Sean McCool (@blindidiotgod) July 16, 2015

The clip — which shows Bernard freaking out over his tax return — reappeared a few minutes later in its proper place, during a segment on tax.

And so ended a rare moment of light relief on a grave day for the world.