A media insider has opened up about The Project’s uncertain future after a guest made a lewd joke about Jesus.
The left-leaning current affairs program has come under fire after gay comedian and cabaret artist Reuben Kaye joked on Tuesday’s show on Tuesday that he admires Jesus Christ because “I love any man that can be nailed three days in a row and come back for more.”
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford said the Channel Ten show has a “goal on its back”.
“I don’t think the joke was incredibly offensive from my personal point of view, but it seems other people think so and now it’s become a big thing on social media, mainly Twitter,” he told news .com .au.
“Right now the show really has a goal on its back, people really want to try and jump on anything they can to kind of try to bring the show down.”
Media insider Peter Ford (pictured) has opened up about The Project’s uncertain future after the show aired the comedian’s lewd joke about “getting nailed like Jesus for three days”.
“I guess they’re scared of all the sharks circling around them trying to come after them and trip them up.”
It comes after presenters Sarah Harris and Waleed Aly were forced to apologize after viewers called for the Ten show to be scrapped for airing the salacious joke about Jesus’ crucifixion.
Aly and Harris’ on-air apology appears to have done little to stem the tide of criticism from members of the Christian and Muslim community – who are already planning protests at Channel 10 HQ.
The show’s social media posts are being spammed with the hashtags #CancelTheProject and #BoycottTheProject in what appears to be an organized effort.
Aly addressed the inappropriate joke on Wednesday, beginning: “During an interview last night, our guest told a joke which we know was deeply and needlessly offensive to many of you.
The left-leaning current affairs show has come under fire after gay comedian and cabaret artist Reuben Kaye joked on Tuesday’s show on Tuesday that he admires Jesus Christ because “I love any man that can be nailed three days in a row and come back for more.”
“We want to acknowledge the particular offense caused to our Muslim viewers, but especially to our Christian viewers.
“Obviously, I understand how serious that insult was.”
Harris, who burst out laughing after the joke, then chimed in.
“Live TV is unpredictable and when that happened in the closing moments of yesterday’s show we were all surprised, there wasn’t much time to react in a considered way,” she said.
Aly insisted it surprised the producers and the program’s board.
“It’s fair to say that we didn’t expect such a remark,” he said.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford told news.com.au on Thursday the Channel Ten show has a “goal on its back”.
“Normally we wouldn’t send such a comment. We acknowledge the offense it caused and more than that we are sorry.
The joke was met with fierce backlash on social media.
“What a disgusting joke about Jesus and the project team just giggled and said nothing. So offended by your inaction,” one viewer wrote.
Another said: “A dirty joke about Jesus actually. I’m all for being who you want to be, but that’s going too far.’
A third said: “Interesting to see how Waleed reacts to this joke! He knew it was inappropriate! Project is so desperate these days!’
But others found the salacious gag hilarious.
One person said: “I can’t believe Rueben Kaye just said that on national prime time TV. What an icon!’
The backlash from Muslims and Christians was swift and brutal, forcing co-hosts Waleed Aly (left) and Sarah Harris (right) to issue a submissive on-air apology on Wednesday
Other positive comments included, “I almost pissed off” and “That was gold, the best thing about The Project in months!”
Kaye is known for his gritty sense of humor, which he combines with singing and all-around performance in his comedy shows.
He embarks on a national tour with a series of jokes that touch on sensitive issues such as sexuality and racism.
“I want to poke the bear,” he said. “I’m so spread out in this country that I might as well be systemic racism.”
The controversial joke also sparked an angry reaction online, with some viewers saying the gag went “too far” and others even calling for the show to be taken off the air