Ex radio host Em Rusciano claims Network Ten threw comedian Reuben Kaye “under the bus”

Comedian Reuben Kaye doesn’t seem to have been the only one lashed for his Jesus joke this week, with Network Ten accused of throwing the Project guest “under the bus”.

Does any other TV show cop quite the bashing as The Project?

Despite all the reports and column inches of doomed and dismal ratings, Ten’s prime time news and entertainment panel show can garner quite the headlines.

The last time everyone was so up in arms about a joke was when Kitty Flanagan killed off Santa. Oh wait that was while on The Project too!

Kitty hasn't appeared on the show since, although we don’t think she is too bothered given her droll ABC comedy Fisk is a rolled gold hit, especially among the French, go figure.

Now it’s all about guest, comedian Reuben Kaye, whose joke about Jesus has drawn the ire of many, with those within the Christian and Muslim communities reportedly threatening to protest and boycott the show.

Former radio host Em Rusciano.

A groveller was swiftly issued the next day by host Waleed Aly.

Now former radio host Em Rusciano has jumped on the bandwagon (shock, horror) claiming Network Ten threw the comedian “under the bus” amid the backlash.

Rusciano who has appeared as a guest on the show, although we hear whispers she was booted as a regular some time back, saying it is hard to fathom Kaye’s Jesus joke hadn’t been pre approved.

But the show’s longest running guest panellist Steve Price, which gives him some cred, is calling bull. In his eleven years working on the show he has never been asked by producers for pre approval.

“I’ve never had one person ever say to me, what are you going to say, no one’s ever asked me,” Price said. “Nothing I’ve ever said has ever been scripted.”

“I suspect those people are saying that because they’re no longer invited to be on there.”

Boom!