Calls for The Project to be axed after comedian’s lewd joke about Jesus

There are growing calls for Channel 10’s The Project to be cancelled after a guest on Tuesday’s show made an off-colour joke about Jesus Christ.

Comedian Reuben Kaye was speaking about the hate he receives from members of the public – and Christians in particular – for being gay and wearing drag when he joked: ‘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-anchor Sarah Harris and the rest of the cast laughed along with the joke.

Harris then said ‘Got a question, Wal?’ to which he replied: ‘Ah, not about that, no.’

The controversial quip 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. 

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There are growing calls for Channel 10’s The Project to be cancelled after a guest on Tuesday’s show, comedian Reuben Kaye (left), made an off-colour 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 drag, when he joked: ‘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 (centre), who is a Sunni Muslim, speechless. His co-anchor Sarah Harris (second from right) and the rest of the cast laughed along with the joke 

One person wrote: ‘I’m very disappointed and will be switching off this show forever. 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 cancelled, period.’ A third commented:  ‘Lowest of lows… #boycotttheproject.’

One viewer asked: ‘Since when is disrespecting other religious views cool?’ 

However, Kaye doubled down on his 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 his bawdy sense of humour.

The controversial quip 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

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Kaye doubled down on his 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 his bawdy sense of humour

‘Reuben is an ICON! What a pleasure to see you on our screens!’ one fan said, while a second added: ‘Best guest ever and ever so truthful!’

Another viewer wrote: ‘I can’t believe Rueben Kaye just said that on national, prime-time television. What an icon!’

Kaye is known for his crude humour which he combines with singing and all-around showmanship in his comedy shows.

He is embarking on a national tour set to feature an array of jokes centered around touchy subjects sexuality and racism.

‘I want to poke the bear,’ he said.

‘I’m so thickly spread around this country that I might as well be systemic racism.’

The panel was left lost for words 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 on the network to apologise for the crude humour at a time slot when children were watching.

‘Having to explain the offensive joke to my eight-year-old before Survivor kicked in. Thanks, legends. Shame on you guys. Have some respect and offer a public apology,’ one person said.

Another wrote: ‘You allowed someone in your program to insult all Christians and the panel laugh at this pathetic joke. I expect a public apology.’

A third said: ‘Absolutely disgusting to have a guest on in that time slot to make horrible, sexual jokes, while also making offensive jokes towards Christians. If a Christian made that joke on TV about LGBT [people] they’d be cancelled.’