Clementine Ford fans were left angry after a joke by comedy group The Inspired Unceived at a feminist talk in Sydney went disastrously wrong.
A large group, mostly women, attended Wednesday’s free event, which featured a panel that included Ford and fellow feminist writers Antoinette Lattouf and Yumi Stynes.
But the unsuspecting public, who were ready to listen to some serious talk about marriage and sex, were upset after comedian Jack Steele appeared as a “special guest.”
Known as one half of The Inspired Unavailable with Matt Ford, Steele made a series of off-color comments that enraged the audience.
At one point, he was overheard saying “girls like consent” and “I really like female writers.”
Fans of Clementine Ford (pictured) were left angry after a joke by comedy group The Inspired Unceived at a feminist talk in Sydney went disastrously wrong.
Introduced as a special guest offering his “perspective” as a young person on the panel’s topics, Steele’s comments reportedly left some attendees in tears.
According Yahoo LifestyleSteele’s antics were being filmed as part of the television show The Inspired Unceiveds, (Impractical) Jokers.
The 30-year-old comedian was reportedly being “fed” his provocative comments via an earpiece as part of the new show.
The unsuspecting audience, who were prepared to hear some serious talk about marriage and sex, became upset after comedian Jack Steele appeared as a “special guest” (Pictured: Ford and Steele).
The report claims that many audience members left the event before the scheduled end.
Meanwhile, Ford and his co-panelists stayed an extra hour to continue the talk after Steele left the event.
The prank sparked a backlash from Ford’s fans, who took to his Instagram to express their rage at being tricked as part of a comedy show.
The prank sparked a backlash from Ford’s fans, who took to his Instagram to express their rage at being tricked as part of a comedy show.
‘Super strange move in this case, what were you thinking?’ a fan messaged Ford.
“I just wasted an hour of my time that I will never get back,” another woman posted.
And the poor woman sitting behind me was crying. I’ll be fine, but this program probably should have come with an activation warning. There are so many annoying women tonight.
Another witness criticized the feminist for her “lack of consent” and called the panel unethical for not allowing the audience to participate in the joke.
TikTok star Definitely Maybelline criticized the event on social media
She messaged Ford: “Unfortunately, any opportunity for an insightful speech was overshadowed by the painfully unfunny man who completely made a mockery of what could have been a really interesting panel.”
“Your voice has been a beacon of inspiration to many, including myself,” another disgruntled fan added.
“So, witnessing your participation in a prank show, where the very essence of feminism seemed twisted and exploited for laughs, was disheartening, to say the least.
Some fans were behind Ford and the other panelists.
They continued: ‘The “it’s just a joke” rhetoric to minimize women has long been used to excuse reprehensible behavior, and see it perpetuated on a platform of yours, even a little, to which you lent your credibility. It’s deeply disappointing.’
Meanwhile, one was willing to defend Ford and the other panelists for their involvement in the stunt.
“If you didn’t like the joke, tell the person who made it,” they posted on Ford’s Instagram.
“These women have dedicated their adult lives to supporting the community and the mental health of others.”
Meanwhile, News.com Steele reported that he apologized to the audience just before leaving the event.
He said: ‘I’m so sorry guys. I look like an idiot and you all hate me… from the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry.’
WhatsNew2Day Australia has contacted Clementine Ford, Antoinette Lattouf and Yumi Stynes for comment.