Some of The Project’s most controversial moments

In its 16 years on air, the show featured some colourful moments with Heritier Lumumba, Margaret Court and a Jesus joke that sparked a swift backlash.

After more than 4,500 shows and nearly 16 years on air, these are some of The Project’s most controversial moments.

A HOLY MESS

The Project apologised after queer comedian Reuben Kaye made a sex joke about the Lord.

Comedian Reuben Kaye.

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

The backlash was swift, fierce, and forced hosts Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris to apologise.

Aly said the joke was “deeply and needlessly offensive” and caused hurt to “Muslim and Christian viewers”.

“Obviously, I understand how profound that offence was,” he said.

Harris added: “Live TV is unpredictable. There wasn’t a lot of time to react in a considered way.”

COURTING ANGER

Australian tennis legend Margaret Court slammed The Project for a “disrespectful” interview related to her views on gay marriage.

Margaret Court was not a fan of her interview on the show. Picture: Michael Klein

Court claimed host Waleed Aly’s line of questioning was unfair.

“It’s below the belt stuff,” Court said.

“They don’t have a lot of respect for people, or what they’ve done, or who they are. They just laugh because they want it their way.”

Court said her comments were interrupted, or cut off, by co-host Meshel Laurie.

HELLIAR, PIE CLASH

Former Magpies footballer Heritier Lumumba called out The Project after an interview with hosts Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar.

Heritier Lumumba in his interview on The Project. Picture: The Project

Lumumba (right) went on the show to talk about experiencing racism, including a nickname “Chimp,” when he played at Collingwood.

“It would be really helpful if we heard more detail, specifically with the nickname,” Helliar said on the show.

“Paint the picture so we understand it more. Because if you don’t do that, then it just sounds like you’re smearing an entire club.”

Aly and Helliar later apologised to Lumumba.

CARRIE’S C-BOMB

The Project host Carrie Bickmore sent the blooper-meter sky high when she dropped the dreaded c-bomb while trying to name Australia’s national airline.

Carrie Bickmore dropped a c-bomb on-air. Picture: Richard Dobson

Somehow, Bickmore’s wording hit immediate turbulence and she blurted out: “C--tas.”

She tweeted an apology soon after. Sorry @qantasairways and my nan.”

HIGGINS SCOOP

The Sunday Project host Lisa Wilkinson landed a legit TV scoop when she interviewed Britanny Higgins about her alleged rape at Parliament House.

Brittany Higgins being interviewed on The Project by Lisa Wilkinson.

That coup led to a defamation brought by Bruce Lehrmann, and later a courtroom showdown between Wilkinson and Network 10 over legal costs.

ROTTEN RANT

Former Sex Pistol frontman John Lydon lived up to his stage name, Johnny Rotten, when during an interview with The Project host Carrie Bickmore he bellowed: “Shut up when a man is talking.”

John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten from the British punk band The Sex Pistols.

The chat was made worse by satellite time delays and cut short.

The Project co-host Andrew Rochford called Lydon a “misogynist pig.”

Lydon later said: “My only enemies are governments and institutions, certainly not women. I’ve been married to one for 30 years. We love each other.”

Originally published as Some of The Project’s most controversial moments