Ex-Project panellist Em Rusciano accuses show of ‘throwing’ Reuben Kaye ‘under the bus’ over Jesus joke

Em Rusciano, a regular guest on The Project, has accused the show of knowingly allowing a dirty Jesus joke to air as a petition reaches 17k signatures.

Former Project panellist Em Rusciano has taken aim at the show amid backlash over its airing of a controversial Jesus joke this week.

Tens of thousands of viewers unleashed their anger after queer comedian Reuben Kaye made a sexual joke mocking the Christian faith on Tuesday night.

Reuben explained that he regularly gets people negatively messaging him on TikTok and they criticise his sexuality from a “religious angle”.

“I think it’s hilarious when someone messages me and says, ‘You have to accept Jesus’ love or you will burn in hell,’ because I love Jesus,” Kaye said.

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

Queer comic Reuben Kaye is in trouble for making a Jesus joke on The Project. Picture: The Project/Channel 10

The Project host Waleed Aly was left stunned and his fellow host Sarah Harris burst out laughing along with the other panellists.

The severe backlash forced the hosts to issue an apology on-air on Wednesday night.

“Live TV is unpredictable and when this happens in the last few moments of last night’s show it genuinely took us by surprise,” Harris said.

Aly, who is Muslim himself, said: “It’s fair we weren’t expecting a comment like that.....we acknowledge the offence and we are sorry.”

But comedian Em Rusciano, who has appeared both as a panellist and guest on the current affairs program over the years, took to Twitter on Thursday to claim Ten had “thrown (Kaye) under the bus”.

“I find it pretty hard to believe that (Reuben Kaye)’s joke that stopped a nation wasn’t script approved,” she tweeted.

“I’ve worked on The Project – VERY little is off the cuff! A tiny, tiny amount. They’ve flat out thrown him under the bus (in my opinion). Sorry, but someone had to say it.”

I find it pretty hard to believe that @ReubenKaye’s joke that stopped a nation wasn’t script approved. I’ve worked on the project - VERY little is off the cuff! A tiny, tiny amount. They’ve flat out thrown him under the bus IMO. Sorry, but someone had to say it.

— Em Rusciano (@EmRusciano) March 2, 2023

A source linked to The Project told Daily Mail Australia that the show used to pre-record the majority of its interview with “potentially controversial performers” such as Kaye.

“In the few cases (before) an interview like that would be done live, the hosts would normally be well primed beforehand,” the insider told the publication,” the source said.

“If the interview was done live because that was the only time (Reuben Kaye) was available, why weren’t Sarah Harris and Waleed Aly more prepared? It’s yet another sign of the slipping professionalism on the show, the declining standards of 10, sloppiness and, frankly, their general slack approach.”

The panellists on Tuesday night as the controversial comment was aired. Picture: Supplied

Leaders from the Christian and Muslim community dismissed Channel 10’s apology and have confirmed plans will go ahead to protest at Sydney’s Hyde Park on March 18.

It comes as nearly 20,000 Australians have signed a change.org petition calling on the network to axe it’s prime-time show The Project.

“The comments made were hurtful and divisive, promoting intolerance and disrespect towards people of different faiths,” the petition said.

“Our petition calls on channel 10 to take responsibility for the harm that has been caused and cancel the Project show.

“We believe this is necessary to address the harmful and offensive comments made about Jesus, and to prevent such comments from being made in the future.”

LMA condemn The Project over it's "disgusting" joke about Jesus

Meanwhile, the controversial guest shrugged off the criticism and even poked fun at the situation by uploading an Instagram reel captioning it: “Some heroes don’t wear capes… They wear lashes.”

Aussie actor Nathaniel Buzolic — who has over 3 million followers — commented on Kaye’s post condemning him.

“You mock our God cause you think there is no consequence. And your right there will not be a consequence from those who follow Jesus.

“If you were to mock Muhammad and islam in the same manner you just mocked Jesus you wouldn’t be so bold, you wouldn’t be so celebrated and you wouldn’t be so physically safe.

Aussie actor Nathaniel Buzolic condemned the double standards.

“We as Christians will pray for you for you not to fear the one who can only destroy the body. But rather the one who can destroy both the body and the soul.”

Australian Islamic identity Steve Dabliz told News Corp that a protest will be organised at Sydney’s Hyde Park with Muslim and Christian leaders saying the apology is not enough.

“Mocking Jesus or making derogatory remarks about him is a grave act of disbelief and goes against the fundamental principles of Islam. Such actions not only show a lack of respect for the religious beliefs of others,” he said.

“The Christian and Muslim community, in particular, has been deeply hurt by this incident, and we stand in solidarity with them.

Hosts Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris apologise on-air after they received backlash over the segment.

“As Australians, we value respect and tolerance for all faiths and beliefs, and it is important to uphold these values in our media and public discourse.

“We hope that this incident serves as a reminder of the need to promote mutual understanding and respect among all communities.”

Founder of Christian Lives Matter Charlie Bakhos, which has over 24,000 members, said the show’s insincere apology has only “angered and fired up” people more.

“Thousands from the Christian and Muslim community have reached out to me and we are going to stand in unity and defend our faith,” he said.

“The apology was a joke and if they really were sorry for the offence it caused, they wouldn’t have kept the original clip on their social media while not even sharing their own apology.

“We will still be going ahead and organising a protest with our fellow Muslim community.”

Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris burst out laughing following the comment. Picture: The Project/Channel 10

The Project’s Instagram and Facebook accounts have continued to be flooded with comments from shocked and disgruntled viewers, after the segment aired.

“Disrespectful and unprofessional. How is it ok to insult and disrespect others religious beliefs,” wrote one person.

Another wrote: “Appalled with the airing of the disrespect displayed and reactions made by this show. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Definitely never watching The Project ever again.”

“Since when was disrespecting other religious views cool?,” another commented.

One Instagram user began the hashtag #canceltheproject which has already received hundreds of likes.

In 2019, the Christian group came together with leaders from the Muslim community to protest outside KISS FM’s studio against Kyle Sandilands after he referred to the Virgin Mary as a liar who was “knocked up” behind the camel shed.

Media watchdog Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) handed down their findings nearly a year after Sandilands made the remarks, the ACMA said the shock jock “overstepped the mark” when he made the controversial comments on air.

An apology was issued by Sandilands after he was slammed by the public.

“I’m sorry if I offended anyone with my comments,” Sandilands said at the time.

“Everyone is entitled to their own religious beliefs and I’m fully supportive of that right.”

The Project have been contacted for comment.