Channel 10 was thrown into chaos on Wednesday night when a fire alarm caused the sudden cancellation of The Project’s broadcast.
But the dramatic incident is not the first disaster to befall the network’s news panel show.
Many recent controversies, gaffes, and awkward moments might have some people believing the long-running program is cursed.
On Wednesday, viewers at home were left scratching their heads at 6:49pm when the news show hosted by Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Sam Taunton suddenly vanished from screens during its ad break.
It was replaced with an episode of The Dog House Australia.
‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, please enjoy this screening of The Dog House,’ the vague text read.
It wasn’t long before The Project’s feed on X, formerly known as Twitter, lit up.
‘Is there a blackout in the Studio?’ asked one bamboozled viewer.
Channel 10 was thrown into chaos on Wednesday night when a fire alarm caused the sudden cancellation of The Project’s broadcast. Pictured: the panellists of The Project
But the dramatic incident is not the first disaster to befall the network’s news panel show. Pictured: Sarah Harris
‘Unforeseen circumstances? A bit more explanation deserved. Broken camera? Medical episode?’ demanded another, before someone else questioned: ‘Did you lose power?’
‘WTF just happened? Your show just vanished. Now I am looking at a dog adoption show,’ commented another.
A post shared to X by the program revealed a fire alarm was set off in the studio, bringing the show to a grinding halt and forcing its presenters and crew to evacuate The Como Centre in South Yarra where the show is filmed.
Another recent disaster was the train-wreck interview as a guest launched into an expletive-laden rant about pandas.
On Wednesday, viewers at home were left scratching their heads at 6:49pm when the news show hosted by Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Sam Taunton suddenly vanished from screens during its ad break. Pictured: Waleed Aly (left) and Sarah Harris (right)
‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, please enjoy this screening of The Dog House,’ the vague text read when programming resumed
Chinese-born Australian journalist and writer Vicky Xu appeared on the program in June to discuss Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s current visit in Australia and his recent announcement of a panda swap at Adelaide Zoo.
Ms Xu was asked by panelist Sam Taunton if she was excited about Adelaide Zoo getting new pandas.
‘I think… no, I am not… I am not,’ Ms Xu admitted. ‘I think pandas they’re too lazy to f*** and to the point that they’re going extinct.’
‘And and look, look at me this outfit… I am so much cuter than those giant fat, not f****ing pandas,’ she added.
Ms Xu’s comment was met with shock and laughter by The Project hosts.
Another recent disaster was the trainwreck interview with Chinese-born Australian journalist and writer Vicky Xu (pictured) as she launched into an expletive-laden rant about pandas
The Project later received backlash online, with social media commenters calling the segment ‘cringeworthy’ and sarcastically calling the program a ‘very normal’ show.
In February last year, the program also courted controversy when gay comedian Reuben Kaye made an X-rated joke about Jesus Christ live on air.
‘I love Jesus, I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more,’ Kaye joked.
His line left Waleed Aly speechless, but Sarah Harris and the rest of the cast laughed along with gay comedian’s joke.
In February last year, the program also courted controversy when gay comedian Reuben Kaye (pictured) made an X-rated joke about Jesus Christ live on air
However, the controversial quip sparked a furious reaction online with many saying the gag went ‘too far’.
The panel show has also undergone an audience decline ever since changing up its format.
The ratings woes coincide with growing criticism of The Project’s left-wing bias and departures of several high-profile hosts, including Carrie Bickmore, Peter Helliar and Lisa Wilkinson.
The show relaunched last year with a new panel comprising Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton, Michael Hing and long-serving anchor Waleed Aly.
But recent reports suggest Harris is ‘struggling’ with the gruelling weekly commute from Sydney to Melbourne as the talk show’s revamped line-up fails to fire up.
Recent reports suggest Harris is ‘struggling’ with the gruelling weekly commute from Sydney to Melbourne as the talk show’s revamped line-up fails to fire up.(Pictured: Harris and Waleed Aly)
Insiders at Channel 10 told Daily Mail Australia the ‘novelty’ of travelling to Melbourne – where The Project is taped from Sunday to Thursday – is ‘wearing off a bit’ for Harris, a single mum with two young children.
The former Studio 10 host joined The Project after the shock departures of Bickmore, Helliar and Wilkinson at the end of 2022. The panel show’s cost may also be an issue, with Ten recently began a round of cost-cutting, axing both The Masked Singer and The Bachelors.
The future of the embattled network, owned by Paramount Global, is uncertain as it continues to bleed television shows amid sliding ratings and an ad revenue crisis, as news.com.au has reported.
In May, Dave Hughes and Osher Günsberg publicly confirmed two of Channel Ten’s biggest reality TV shows, The Masked Singer and The Bachelor, have been axed from the network, who is in possible merger talks.
This has led to speculation that The Project might be on the chopping block next, however the network has continually denied the show will be cancelled any time soon.
