Australian news-current affairs and evening talk show The Project has been forced to apologize for airing a crude joke about crucified Judean savior Jesus.
The joke was made on Tuesday evening (February 28) by Queer comic Reuben Kaye, who sported a red blazer emblazoned with embroidered eyes. He made several comments about the hate he has received from the Christian community, given that he often dresses in drag.
At one point during the show, Kaye makes a quip about Jesus, telling the audience: "I love Jesus, I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more."
Host Waleed Aly looked absolutely stunned at the joke, while his co-host Sarah Harris burst into laughter.
Check out the moment below:However, many viewers watching the segment didn't find Kaye's quip so funny. In fact, some contacted the Channel Ten network religiously to air their grievances - something Aly spoke about in his apology on Wednesday (March 1).
"During a live interview last night, our guest told a joke which we know was deeply and needlessly offensive to many of you. We want to acknowledge the particular offence and hurt that it caused our Muslim and especially our Christian viewers. Obviously, I understand how profound that offence was," he began, via News.com.au.
"Live TV is unpredictable. And when this happened in the last few moments of the show, it took us all by surprise, there wasn't a lot of time to react in a considered way," he continued, adding: "We weren't expecting a comment like that to be made and we acknowledge the offense it caused. We are sorry."
Many people took to social media to call for The Project to be axed, with one person writing: "Absolute state of this! Check out this disrespectful pos [sic] and of course he is on the most cooked tv show in Australia 'The Project'."
"Disgusting! So mock Christ and everyone laughs, yet if the tables were turned, the media crucify you. The thing is I respect you and your life, it's your choice, so why offend mine in mocking Jesus who is my everything / my life," someone else chimed in.
Others seemed to find Kaye's joke funny, like this person who wrote: "I'm sure Christian's [sic] have a sense of humour."
"That was funny as hell. You need to relax dude," another user said.
Another tweet read: "[Kaye is] funny. I saw him live not long ago. Great show, probably not for the people with no sense of humour though."
Kaye has since taken to his official Twitter account to upload a short clip of his joke, captioning it with: "Some heroes don’t wear capes… They wear lashes."
His fans have fiercely defended him in the comments, including this man who wrote: "Amazing the people here talking about respect and burning in hell. Jesus loved everyone. Even people who cracked jokes at him.
"I'm pretty sure no where in the Bible does it say love thy neighbor unless they make a wickedly funny yet accurate crack about you! The only reason he made that joke in the first place was to get back at everyone telling him BEFORE this that he was already going to hell for a plethora of reasons," he added. "Maybe stop telling people they're going to hell just because they don't live like you!? Maybe actually be like Jesus and just turn the other cheek."
