Initially, McDermott was not interested in further pursuing comedy, which he came to regard as an "aberration". However in 1996, he returned to television after being recruited by Ted Robinson to host the satirical news-based quiz show "Good News Week". McDermott hosted the show until its cancellation in 2000 and returned to this role when the series was renewed in 2008. He reunited with Robinson again in 2007 when he was named host of a new ABC variety program, "The Sideshow", a show described as a successor to "The Big Gig". Although it quickly built a strong cult audience, the show did not rate well and was cancelled after its initial run of 26 episodes.