Channel 10 was thrown into chaos on Wednesday night when a fire alarm caused The Project to be suddenly cancelled.
But the dramatic incident is not the first disaster to befall the network’s news programme.
Many recent controversies, gaffes and awkward moments might lead some people to believe that the long-running show is cursed.
On Wednesday, viewers at home were left scratching their heads at 6.49pm when the news programme hosted by Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Sam Taunton suddenly disappeared from screens during the ad break.
It was replaced by an episode of The Dog House Australia.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, please enjoy this screening of The Dog House,” the vague text read.
It wasn’t long before The Project on X, formerly known as Twitter, feed lit up.
“Is there a blackout in the studio?” asked one bewildered viewer.
On Wednesday night, Channel 10 was thrown into chaos when a fire alarm caused The Project to be suddenly cancelled. Pictured: The Project panellists
But this dramatic incident is not the first disaster to befall the network’s news programme. Pictured: Sarah Harris
“Unforeseen circumstances? A more detailed explanation is warranted. Camera broken? Medical episode?” another asked, before someone else asked: “Power lost?”
“What the hell happened? Your show just disappeared. I’m watching a dog adoption show now,” another commented.
A post shared on X by the show revealed that a fire alarm went off in the studio, halting the show and forcing its presenters and crew to evacuate the Como Centre in South Yarra, where the show is filmed.
Another recent disaster was the interview that went down in smoke when a guest launched into an expletive-laden tirade about pandas.
On Wednesday, viewers at home were left bewildered at 6.49pm when the news programme hosted by Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Sam Taunton suddenly disappeared from screens during the ad break. Pictured: Waleed Aly (left) and Sarah Harris (right)
‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, please enjoy this screening of The Dog House,’ read the vague text when programming resumed.
Chinese-born Australian journalist and author Vicky Xu appeared on the show in June to discuss Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s ongoing visit to Australia and his recent announcement of a panda swap at Adelaide Zoo.
Panellist Sam Taunton asked Ms Xu if she was excited about the arrival of new pandas at Adelaide Zoo.
“I think… no, I’m not… I’m not,” Ms. Xu admitted. “I think pandas are too lazy to fuck and to the point where they’re going extinct.”
“And look, look at this outfit… I’m way cuter than those giant, fat, not fucking fat pandas,” she added.
Ms Xu’s comment was met with surprise and laughter by The Project hosts.
Another recent disaster was the disastrous interview with Chinese-born Australian journalist and writer Vicky Xu (pictured) when she launched into an expletive-laden tirade about pandas.
The project subsequently received a negative reaction online, with social media commentators calling the segment “embarrassing” and sarcastically calling the show “very average.”
In February last year, the show also sparked controversy when gay comedian Reuben Kaye made a joke about Jesus Christ live on air.
“I love Jesus, I love any man who can be fucked for three days straight and come back for more,” Kaye joked.
His line left Waleed Aly speechless, but Sarah Harris and the rest of the cast laughed along with the gay comedian’s joke.
In February last year, the show also sparked controversy when gay comedian Reuben Kaye (pictured) made an adult joke about Jesus Christ live on air.
However, the controversial joke sparked a furious backlash online with many saying the joke went “too far”.
The panel show has also suffered a drop in viewership since it changed its format.
The ratings problems coincide with growing criticism of The Project’s left-wing bias and the departures of several high-profile presenters, including Carrie Bickmore, Peter Helliar and Lisa Wilkinson.
The show was relaunched last year with a new panel consisting of Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton, Michael Hing and long-running host Waleed Aly.
But recent reports suggest Harris is “struggling” with the gruelling weekly commute from Sydney to Melbourne as the talk show’s revamped schedule fails to catch on.
Recent reports suggest Harris is “struggling” with the gruelling weekly commute from Sydney to Melbourne as the revamped talk show schedule fails to catch on. (Pictured: Harris and Waleed Aly)
Channel 10 sources told Daily Mail Australia that the “novelty” of travelling to Melbourne, where The Project is filmed from Sunday to Thursday, is “wearing off a bit” for Harris, a single mother of two young children.
The former Studio 10 host joined The Project following the shock exits of Bickmore, Helliar and Wilkinson at the end of 2022. The cost of the panel show may also be an issue, with Ten recently beginning a round of cost-cutting, axing both The Masked Singer and The Bachelors.
The future of the ailing network, owned by Paramount Global, is uncertain as it continues to lose TV shows amid declining ratings and an advertising revenue crisis, news.com.au reported.
In May, Dave Hughes and Osher Günsberg publicly confirmed that two of Channel Ten’s biggest reality shows, The Masked Singer and The Bachelor, had been axed by the network, which is in potential merger talks.
This has led to speculation that The Project could be next to be cancelled, however the network has continually denied that the show will be cancelled anytime soon.