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Calls for The Project to be removed after comedian’s lewd joke about ‘being nailed for three days straight like Jesus’ left host Waleed Aly speechless
There are growing calls for Channel 10’s The Project to be canceled after a guest on Tuesday’s show made a joke about Jesus Christ.
Comedian Reuben Kaye was speaking about the hate he receives from the public, and Christians in particular, for being gay and wearing women’s clothing when he quipped, “I love Jesus.” I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more!
His line left host Waleed Aly, who is a Sunni Muslim, speechless, but co-host Sarah Harris and the rest of the cast laughed along with the joke.
Harris then said, ‘Do you have a question, Wal?’ to which he replied: ‘Ah, not about that, no’.
The controversial joke sparked a furious reaction online with some viewers saying the gag went “too far” and others even calling for the show to be taken off the air.
There are growing calls for Channel 10’s The Project to be canceled after a guest on Tuesday’s show, comedian Reuben Kaye (left), made a joke about Jesus. (Right: Sam Taunton)
Kaye was speaking about the hate he receives from members of the public, and Christians in particular, for being gay and wearing women’s clothing, when he quipped, “I love Jesus.” I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more.
His line left host Waleed Aly (center), who is a Sunni Muslim, speechless. Her co-host Sarah Harris (second from right) and the rest of the cast laughed along with the joke.
One person wrote: ‘I am very disappointed and will be turning this show off for good. The number one rule in comedy if you want to have a long career is to keep religion and politics out of it.
Another said, “This show needs to be canceled, period.” A third commented: “The lowest of the low… #boycotttheproject.”
One viewer asked: ‘Since when is it cool to disrespect other religious views?’
However, Kaye doubled down on her Jesus joke, posting a screenshot on Instagram of a news article about the controversy and writing, “This may be my best work…”
Many viewers of The Project also defended Kaye, saying they appreciated her raunchy sense of humor.
The controversial joke sparked a furious reaction online with some viewers saying the gag went “too far” and others even calling for the show to be taken off the air.
Kaye doubled down on her Jesus joke, posting a screenshot on Instagram of a news article about the controversy and writing: “This may be my best work…”
Many viewers of The Project also defended Kaye (pictured in London on October 26), saying they appreciated her raunchy sense of humour.
‘Reuben is an ICON! What a pleasure to see you on our screens!’ said one fan, while a second added: ‘Best guest ever so sincere!’
Another viewer wrote: ‘I can’t believe Rueben Kaye said that on national TV in prime time. What an icon!
Kaye is known for his crude humor which he pairs with singing and showmanship in his comedy shows.
He is embarking on a national tour to present a variety of jokes centered around sensitive topics like sexuality and racism.
“I want to poke the bear,” he said.
“I’m so spread out across this country that it might as well be systemic racism.”
The panel was speechless after the joke about Jesus being nailed to a cross. Sarah Harris (left) and Kate Langbroek (right) couldn’t help but laugh
Some outraged viewers have called out to the network to apologize for the crude humor in a timeslot when the kids were watching.
‘Having to explain the offensive joke to my eight year old son before Survivor kicked in. Thanks, legends. What a shame for you. Have some respect and offer a public apology,” one person said.
Another wrote: ‘You allowed someone on your show to insult all Christians and the panel laughed at this pathetic joke. I expect a public apology.
A third said: ‘Absolutely disgusting to have a guest at that time make horrible sexual jokes, while also making offensive jokes towards Christians. If a Christian made that joke on TV about LGBT [people] they would be cancelled.