Sam Taunton Shares Reality Post-Project Axing, Returns to Small Gigs: ‘Everyone Knows I’ve Lost My Job’

It’s back to basics for Sam Taunton.

The once-prime-time star is now trading The Project’s studio lights for dingy pub stages, after Channel 10 pulled the plug on the long-running panel show, leaving the comedian without his cushy TV gig.

The 33-year-old funny man took to the stage in Sydney this week and didn’t shy away from the elephant in the room – he’s unemployed, and everyone knows it.

‘It’s just like everyone f**king knows you’ve lost your job and it’s crazy,’ Sam told the audience during his new stand-up set, admitting the reactions from his nearest and dearest weren’t exactly comforting.

‘My dad rang me and said: “Look, if I’m honest, the show wasn’t for me. I prefer real news”‘ he quipped.

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But it was his girlfriend’s response that truly drove the nail in. ‘She sent me a Google Docs spreadsheet titled: “Chores now that Sam’s unemployed.”‘

Once a regular face on Aussie TVs, Sam is now back to hustling on the comedy circuit – not exactly the career trajectory he’d hoped for after scoring a coveted hosting role on one of the country’s biggest current affairs shows.

And the humiliation didn’t stop there. According to Sam, even The Project’s most stoic panellist had a few parting words.

‘Waleed – you might know that guy – he texted me on Wednesday and said, “I’m so sorry, Sam. Get prepared. I just got papped by the paparazzi outside Chemist Warehouse near the studio.”‘

Sam, hoping to nab a bit of that paparazzi pity, made a mad dash to the same location.

‘I ran as fast as I could to Chemist Warehouse. Not one f***er took a photo of me!’

Sam also asked the crowd if anyone watched the show to which the crowd said ‘no!’ with Sam replying, ‘I think we have found the problem’.  

The Project is officially wrapping up this month after 16 years on air, with co-hosts Sarah Harris, Hamish Macdonald and Waleed Aly all moving on – or rather, being moved on – from the network.

The shake-up follows the announcement last week that The Project would be pulled from the schedule after 16 years and more than 4,500 episodes. 

Its final episode is set to air on June 27, and will be replaced by a single national 6pm news bulletin.

Meanwhile, Channel Ten is moving forward with its major re-brand as the network prepares to launch a new current affairs show.

The Project hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Hamish Macdonald are set to exit the network, while comedian Taunton will continue his guest appearances on other Ten shows.

The last episode will air on June 27, with the panel show being replaced by a new current affairs show.

After announcing The Project was ending last Monday, Ten released another statement announcing a new look news program.

The premium news program, titled 10 NEWS+, is set to hit screens on Monday, June 30, at 6pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.

10 NEWS+ will be broadcast across the country after Network 10’s 5pm local news bulletins, offering a deeper analysis of some of the biggest stories of the day.

According to Paramount Australia, the segment aims to ‘redefine evening news by providing comprehensive analysis, trusted reporting, and long-form investigative journalism’. 

Keeping up with Australia’s constantly evolving mediascape, the news program will be available via broadcast and streaming, as well as on digital and social platforms.

The show’s lineup will include former 7News journalist Denham Hitchcock and Walkley Award-winner Amelia Brace, who will be regular faces during the 6pm bulletin from Sunday to Thursday.

Ursula Heger and Hugh Riminton will take the lead during the Friday broadcast.

The anchor team will be supported by reporters including Ashleigh Raper, Bill Hogan, Brianna Parkins, Samantha Butler, Carrie-Anne Greenbank, and Claudia Vrdoljak.

Ten’s Entertainment Editor Angela Bishop will also bring insight into the biggest stories in entertainment, including red-carpet events and exclusive interviews with Hollywood’s elite.

Speaking of the new program, White gushed over the ‘fantastic team’ fronting the program and the ‘hard work’ that had gone on behind the scenes to bring it to air.

‘We’re going to do what we do best – put the truth first, our audience first, and tell important stories well,’ he said of the new offering.

‘We’ve assembled a fantastic team, led by Denham and Amelia, and I can’t wait for audiences to see their hard work.’

10 News+ premieres Monday, 30 June at 6pm on Channel 10 and 10 Play.