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Upset parents ... hundreds of viewers flooded social media to complain about a segment on The Project last night. Source: News Corp Australia
CHANNEL Ten show The Project has been forced to apologise after a guest inadvertently outed Santa Claus as a fake, prompting hundreds of parents to complain.
There were no doubt countless awkward conversations in living rooms across the country when comedian Kitty Flanagan made the declaration not once, but twice, that Santa doesn’t exist.
Popular program ... The Project co-host Carrie Bickmore with this year’s desk buddies Peter Hellier and Rove McManus. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
“Oh sorry — spoiler alert,†she said afterwards. “If you have kids in the room, you should probably have covered their ears and gone ‘la, la, la!’ or something.â€
Given the show’s 6.30pm timeslot, there were bound to be many families watching with their children, and hundreds took to social media to complain.
“News for the whole family ... until Kitty says Santa doesn’t exist! What the hell? My 5 year old now wants to know why she said that!†enraged viewer Kim Sagoa said on Facebook.
Under fire ... Kitty Flanagan has probably made Santa Claus’ naughty list for her claims that he isn’t real. Source: Getty Images
“Pretty disgusting that you would allow that comedian to speak that way saying Santa is not real and bagging Santa out ... my kids all looked at me in shock ... absolutely appalling,†Beck Hallinnan agreed.
The Project’s Facebook page was inundated with complaints, as well as plenty counterarguments from supporters.
“Nothing like lying to your kids every Christmas for years. Then eventually the truth has to come out,†commenter Helen South shot back.
Special guest ... comedian Kitty Flanagan has made regular guest appearance on The Project to wax lyrical about hot topics. Picture: Supplied Source: YouTube
The show was forced to apologise and retract the comments, blaming Flanagan’s “poor research†and insisting that jolly St Nick’s authenticity was not in question.
This morning, the program went further and took a more serious tone, apologising again and explaining that the comments were “unplannedâ€.
It was also announced that tonight’s episode would include a live cross to the North Pole to speak to Santa.
Flanagan has been a long-time casual guest, and a popular one among viewers, however last night’s appearance was her last.
Her decision to leave was made before the Santa snafu though.