Pressure grows to cancel The Project as Sarah Harris is slammed for ‘hypocritical’ apology

A high-profile Nine Network star has booted The Project as viewers call for the Ten show to be axed for broadcasting a lewd joke about the crucifixion of Jesus.

The left-wing current affairs program has come under fire after gay comedian and comedian Reuben Kaye joked on Tuesday’s show that he admired Jesus Christ because “I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more.”

Co-host Sarah Harris laughed at the joke, which aired uncensored during the live broadcast, but her Muslim colleague Waleed Aly looked shocked.

The backlash from Muslims and Christians has been swift and relentless, forcing the two presenters to issue a fawning apology on Wednesday.

But this apology did not go down well with Omar Slaimankhel, who together with his mate Ozman ‘Oz’ Abu Malik became the biggest winner in The Block’s history last year.

Slaimankhel accused Harris of hypocrisy for laughing at the off-color joke, but 24 hours later apologized for it when she realized some viewers found it offensive.

He posted a screenshot to Instagram of the couple’s outraged apology, writing, “She was laughing in her pee and now wants to apologize.”

Slaimankhel also called The Project “trash TV” for providing a platform for an anti-religious comedian like Kaye.

Meanwhile, the apology in the Aly and Harris broadcast appears to have done little to stem the wave of criticism from members of the Christian and Muslim communities – who are already planning protests at Channel 10 headquarters.

The show’s social media posts are spammed with the hashtags #CancelTheProject and #BoycottTheProject in what appears to be an organized effort.

Aly responded to the inappropriate joke on Wednesday, opening, “During an interview last night, our guest told a joke that we know was deeply and unnecessarily offensive to many of you.

“We want to acknowledge the specific insult that has been caused to our Muslim viewers, but especially our Christian viewers.

“Of course I understand how deep that transgression was.”

Harris, who had burst into laughter after the joke, joined in.

“Live TV is unpredictable and when this happened in the last few moments of last night’s show it took us all by surprise, there wasn’t much time to react in a considered way,” she said.

Aly insisted it surprised the programme’s producers and panel.

“It is fair to say that we did not expect such a comment to be made,” he said.

“Normally we wouldn’t broadcast a comment like that. We recognize the offense it caused and more than that, we’re sorry.”

The joke was met with a lot of reactions on social media.

“What a disgusting joke about Jesus, and the project team just giggled and said nothing. So offended by your passivity,” one viewer wrote.

Another said, “Basically a dirty joke about Jesus. I’m all for being who you want to be, but that’s going too far.”

A third said, ‘Interesting to see Waleed’s reaction to that joke! He knew it was inappropriate! Project is so desperate these days!”

But others found the lewd joke hilarious.

One person said, “I can’t believe Rueben Kaye just said that on national primetime television. What an icon!’

Other positive comments included, “Almost pissed myself” and “That was gold, best The Project in months!”

Kaye is known for his crude humor which he combines with singing and all round showmanship in his comedy shows.

He embarks on a national tour with a series of jokes on sensitive topics such as sexuality and racism.

“I want to poke the bear,” he said. “I’m so spread across this country I might as well be systemic racism.”