Latest news with #MetroWhip
Sydney Morning Herald
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Project is over. Love it or hate it, that's bad news for Aussie comedy
Channel Ten has dropped the axe on The Project, and as the South Yarra studio goes dark, many words have been written about the show's impact on news and culture. But for me, a former head writer, the greatest loss will be felt by Aussie comedy. For 16 years, The Project has platformed comedy on-screen and behind the scenes, and its cancellation is nothing but bad news for those of us who make a career out of playing silly buggers. On air, The Project' s commitment to comedy was plain to see. Every night the show featured at least one comic at the desk who was tasked with keeping things light, even when the news was dark. The comedy on The Project was like punctuation, allowing the panel to tackle the big issues and still get out on a laugh. Some days this was easier to achieve than others. I always felt for comics who made their desk debut on days dominated by bushfires or bombs. Loading Perched on the far left of the desk, it was the comic's job to keep things interesting and to lob a few curveballs into the guest interviews. That guest chair was a welcoming spot for different voices, too. Multiple times each week, local and international comedians would drop by The Project desk to plug their stand-up, movies or podcasts. These chats resulted in thousands of hilarious moments and only one or two national scandals. In an age when our tastes are curated by the all-powerful algorithm, 6.30pm weeknights was a time slot that showcased new talent and introduced viewers to a comedy voice they might just fall in love with. Off the desk, The Project had a reputation for giving comics their first live TV gig. Countless stars were born via the very hectic and very eclectic 'Metro Whip', a Friday night segment that crossed to five locations around the country to find out what was happening in our capital cities. Names such as Em Rusciano, Mel Buttle, Sam Mac and Nath Valvo all cut their teeth trying to be funny while fighting to hear Carrie Bickmore over a cheering audience and simultaneously flogging a giant garage sale, agricultural show or spaghetti festival. Even during the darkest days of COVID, the show turned to comedy to help lift spirits and fill the rundown. Socially distanced sketches, jokes performed to empty studios and insane crosses to Ross Noble in his bunker where he would turn a three-minute Zoom call into must-see TV. A rare bit of paid work for an industry completely shut down. For the complete run, those on air were supported by a full-time comedy writers' room, a team made up of comedians and writers who worked to wedge humour between the headlines every day. Except the day the Queen died. We got to go home early that day.
The Age
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
The Project is over. Love it or hate it, that's bad news for Aussie comedy
Channel Ten has dropped the axe on The Project, and as the South Yarra studio goes dark, many words have been written about the show's impact on news and culture. But for me, a former head writer, the greatest loss will be felt by Aussie comedy. For 16 years, The Project has platformed comedy on-screen and behind the scenes, and its cancellation is nothing but bad news for those of us who make a career out of playing silly buggers. On air, The Project' s commitment to comedy was plain to see. Every night the show featured at least one comic at the desk who was tasked with keeping things light, even when the news was dark. The comedy on The Project was like punctuation, allowing the panel to tackle the big issues and still get out on a laugh. Some days this was easier to achieve than others. I always felt for comics who made their desk debut on days dominated by bushfires or bombs. Loading Perched on the far left of the desk, it was the comic's job to keep things interesting and to lob a few curveballs into the guest interviews. That guest chair was a welcoming spot for different voices, too. Multiple times each week, local and international comedians would drop by The Project desk to plug their stand-up, movies or podcasts. These chats resulted in thousands of hilarious moments and only one or two national scandals. In an age when our tastes are curated by the all-powerful algorithm, 6.30pm weeknights was a time slot that showcased new talent and introduced viewers to a comedy voice they might just fall in love with. Off the desk, The Project had a reputation for giving comics their first live TV gig. Countless stars were born via the very hectic and very eclectic 'Metro Whip', a Friday night segment that crossed to five locations around the country to find out what was happening in our capital cities. Names such as Em Rusciano, Mel Buttle, Sam Mac and Nath Valvo all cut their teeth trying to be funny while fighting to hear Carrie Bickmore over a cheering audience and simultaneously flogging a giant garage sale, agricultural show or spaghetti festival. Even during the darkest days of COVID, the show turned to comedy to help lift spirits and fill the rundown. Socially distanced sketches, jokes performed to empty studios and insane crosses to Ross Noble in his bunker where he would turn a three-minute Zoom call into must-see TV. A rare bit of paid work for an industry completely shut down. For the complete run, those on air were supported by a full-time comedy writers' room, a team made up of comedians and writers who worked to wedge humour between the headlines every day. Except the day the Queen died. We got to go home early that day.
