The Project viewers call for the show's cancellation after X-rated joke

The Project viewers have been left outraged after queer comedian Reuben Kaye made an off-colour joke about Jesus live on-air during Tuesday night’s broadcast.

Reuben, an award-winning comedian, singer and writer known for his “high camp and filthy humour”, was speaking about the hate he receives on social media over his sexuality when he made the X-rated comment.

“Queer people, LGBTQIA+, predate any idea of God,” he began. “We’re present in the animal kingdom.

“If you go prior to the Cambrian explosion I’m sure there were two amoebas listening to Lady Gaga, doing poppers and banging away. So I think it’s hilarious when someone messages me and says ‘You have to accept Jesus’s love or you will burn in hell’.

“I love Jesus. I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more.”

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While Sarah Harris covered her mouth as she burst into laughter and Kate Langbroek quietly chuckled, Waleed Aly remained silent and his expression didn’t change.

“Got a question Wal?” Sarah remarked, to which he replied, “Ah, not about that, no”.

'Absolute rubbish'

Following the interview, a number of viewers took to social media to slam Reuben’s “disrespectful” comments and call for The Project to be taken off the air.

“This show needs to be cancelled, period,” one person wrote, while another added, “Lowest of lows… #boycotttheproject”.

“I’m very disappointed and will be switching off this show forever,” a third shared. “The number one rule in comedy if you want to have a long career is to keep religion and politics out of it.”

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“This isn’t television, this is absolute rubbish,” someone else said, followed by a different user who asked, “Since when was disrespecting other religious views cool?”.

However, there were plenty of people who appreciated Rueben’s humour and said they “adore” him.

“Reuben is an ICON! What a pleasure to see you on our screens!” one fan commented.

“Best guest ever and ever so truthful!” another shared, while someone else tweeted: “It’s FUNNY. Grow up.”

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