The Project and Jesus Christ
“The joke that broke Australia”, so-called comedian Reuben Kaye dubbed his joke about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on The Project last week. For those who’ve been blissfully living under a rock, Reuben Kaye appeared on the nightly news program to promote…something, but drew the ire of religious folk across the country with the following joke, “I love Jesus. In fact, I love any man that can get nailed for three days straight and then come back for more.”
Naturally, the joke was controversial. It made headlines across the country, with many calling for the cancellation of the program and of Kaye, all claiming that it was a step too far, a horrific joke about what is a sensitive topic for millions of people. It perhaps was the most attention and views The Project had ever received, possibly useful given theirs and Network 10’s dismal ratings, and it also thrust Kaye into the national spotlight. The following evening, the hosts of the program issued a half-hearted apology, fighting back smirks and clear discomfort at being likely forced to make the apology on national TV. That could be understandable, given the fact that when the joke was made the hosts burst out into laughter, so for them to apologise for a joke that they clearly found hilarious would be a bit of an insult. Still, either apologise with genuine remorse, or don’t bother. At least, that’s the way I see it.
Truth be told, I hated every second of this event on television — but not for the reasons some may think. Yes, I am a Christian man, flawed as one, but I try my best. However, personally I don’t mind whenever people ridicule or make jokes about the Christian faith or Christ himself. After all, we live in a free society that promotes and upholds the ideas of free speech and free expression. Reuben Kaye and comedians alike absolutely should feel that they are entitled to make jokes about Jesus Christ — even his crucifixion.
Where part of my hatred for this event comes from, simply put, I didn’t find the joke very funny at all. I’ll never claim to be the arbiter of what makes good comedy, but the joke just wasn’t clever nor groundbreaking. A joke by a member of the LGBT community about a man getting “nailed”? (pun intended) Oh, wow, hilarious. But not really. There’s plenty of opportunity for humour about Christ, this wasn’t it. The thing with edgy or offensive humour, and why it’s so risky, is that it has to be truly funny. Take shows such as South Park or Family Guy as examples, both shows have no issues delving into offensive humour, but their staying power comes from the cleverness of their jokes and the genius of their satire. That’s why they can get away with the humour they deliver: their jokes aren’t cheap. Kaye’s joke was exactly that: cheap.
Moreover, I suppose my hatred for the event also comes from the fact that, and not to try and pit people against each other, but I do wonder if Kaye would be willing to treat other religious figures — say, Muhammad — in the same light? Particularly in front of prominent Muslim host, Waleed Aly. Hypotheticals are a rhetorical nightmare, but if I may be entertained for a second, would the crew on the show have been as uproarious had Kaye made a joke about Muhammad’s multiple, child brides? Heck, would the general public have been as forgiving, if Kaye had made a similarly tasteless and cheap joke about Muslims, Jews, or any other religious or ethnic demographic group? Another question: would it have been okay if a Christian comedian made a tasteless joke about the LGBT community on national television? To go back to my references towards South Park and Family Guy, another part of their staying power is that they are happy to make fun of any demographic. They treat all groups truly equally. Everything is fair game. But if I cannot compare to a TV show, then may I compare Kaye to fellow stand-up, and the current best in the game, Andrew Schulz? Schulz’s genius comes from his willingness to cross every line and offend everyone. He’s happy to make fun of every racial, religious, social group, and audiences love him for it. They know it’s a joke precisely because he’s not maliciously going after particular groups, but instead making fun of all and with a grin while doing so. And that’s the way it should be.
I suppose it’s the hypocrisy that has aggravated followers of Christ, more than anything. For them, they’re seeing their Lord and Saviour be mocked regarding the pre-eminent moment in history, a moment that has informed so many lives, events, and works of art, yet we as a society are constantly being told to have love and acceptance of all people, particularly the LGBT community. To be honest, that’s fine by me. Personally, I have no problem accepting members of this community. They are humans and deserve to be treated as such. It just begs questions when members of that community feel that they are okay to mock religious (one religion, mainly), and yet will be up in arms should their identity be mocked. It goes both ways. I’m positive most ordinary Christians don’t have a problem with the LGBT community and have grown to accept them, but those same Christians do have a problem with seeing their religion mocked when they cannot return serve. I can appreciate that the LGBT community have been targeted by religious groups during their struggles, this I won’t deny, so their animosity is understandable, to an extent. But again, it goes back to the idea of equality in humour and ridicule. Sure, ridicule Christians, so long as they can ridicule you back.
I may also add: the joke was aired on a 7:00pm news program. A joke like this is fine on a late evening program, or among or friends, or at a comedy club, but not a program that’s on during family hours. To break it down, it’s a sex joke. Is that where we are at? Cheap sex jokes on TV for all to see?
Although, if I may engage in friendly fire towards Christians, the calls for cancellation need to cease, as far as I’m concerned. Cancel culture seems to be a problem of all spectrums, not just one in particular. The Project should be off air for a multitude of reasons, namely because it’s a sub-standard program that no one watches, but not because the hosts laughed at a crap joke. Reuben Kaye should not be boycotted or cancelled. If people find him funny and want to see him perform, good luck to them.
I guess the nature of Christianity’s history of persecution renders us always feeling like we are under attack, but I do personally think Christianity, in the grand scheme of things, is safe. I think, for someone like Reuben Kaye, he feels he can publicly joke about Christianity and generate cheap laughs because Christianity is still the majority, so people tend to find it okay to joke about majorities and not minorities. It’s not excusable, nor a reason I think is valid enough to warrant unfunny jokes, but a reason nonetheless.
Ultimately, is the joke going to lead to severe repercussions for Reuben Kaye? Probably not. In fact, it’s only increased his profile. And that’s probably why he did it, for attention, like any comedian would. However, unlike other comedians, Kaye just isn’t funny. However, is the joke going to lead to severe repercussions for Network 10 and The Project? Potentially. But it’s too early to tell. Is it going to lead to the end of Christianity and the world? No. But it is interesting to examine the free reign some feel to mock Christians compared to other religions and demographics, and the hypocritical nature of it all.
I guess, where I stand is: I don’t mind you making fun of my religion, so long as you reserve the same energy for others. Moreover, allow me to make fun of your community and your identity. Comedy should be fair game. Either all jokes and groups are off limits, or you can’t joke about anything ever.
