It’s not every day in the cutthroat world of Australian television that a show lasts a decade.
So as The Project turns 10 tonight, it’s a feat worth celebrating.
In its early days in 2009, what was then known as The 7pm Project boldly experimented by mixing news and comedy in a format that had not been seen before.
Now simply called The Project, its current incarnation is a staple on the Channel Ten line-up and has featured plenty of memorable moments.
From long-running host Carrie Bickmore‘s side-splittingly funny gaffes and relatable heartwarming moments, to Waleed Aly’s poignant discussions about current affairs and celebrity interviews that had the whole country talking, we’ve rounded up the moments that have had viewers hooked.
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Scroll on to celebrate The Project’s 10th birthday with these unforgettable memories.
Carrie Bickmore stacks it on The Project
Carrie Bickmore stacks it on The Project
As the only host remaining from The Project’s original line-up, Carrie Bickmore has had some good days and she’s had some bad days. And in 2013, things went hilariously wrong for her when she stacked it during a live cross (watch the hilarious moment above). Taking the mishap in good humour, Carrie could be seen laughing as crew members rush in to help her off the ground. Back in the studio, James Mathison quipped “This is what happens when you take her out from behind the desk!”
Carrie Bickmore Qantas gaffe
Carrie’s C–ntas gaffe
Carrie knows better than most the perils of live TV. The Gold Logie winner also went viral in 2012 when she had a slip of the tongue and accidentally dropped the C bomb when referring to airline Qantas. Once she realised her mistake, she descended into a fit of giggles. Carrie later laughed off the incident, joking to Mx, “Well, I certainly won’t be getting an upgrade any time soon!”
Carrie cries
Carrie’s heartbreak over death of three-year-old Syrian aslyum seeker
But it wasn’t just Carrie’s sense of humour that has endeared her to The Project fans over the years. Her willingness to show compassion and empathy for others has been one of her calling cards. In one emotional moment, she choked up as she and the rest of the panel spoke about gut-wrenching photos of two dead Syrian refugee brothers who had washed up on a beach in 2015. “I just can’t look at that without being so upset,” she said at the time.
Carrie Bickmore bursts into tears on The Project after death of three-year-old asylum seeker
The project Ruby Rose James Mathison
The 7pm Project’s original line-up
Initially called The 7pm Project, The Project has transformed a LOT since it first hit screens in 2009. As well as changing set designs, there have been many different faces lighting up the screen alongside veteran host Carrie Bickmore. In the first season Ruby Rose and James Mathison were part of the main line up.
Waleed Aly’s ISIL is weak speech
Waleed Aly’s powerful ‘ISIL is weak’ speech
After taking the reigns from former host Charlie Pickering in 2015, Waleed wasted no time in making his own mark on the show. While he is now famous for his powerful monologues about important issues, it was his blistering ‘ISIL is weak’ speech in 2015 that first went viral for its strong and emotive message that spoke directly to Australians fearful of the currrent state of the world.
Waleed Aly’s powerful ‘ISIL is weak’ speech on The Project
Waleed interviews Elmo
Waleed interviews Elmo
While there has been many famous international and local stars appearing on The Project over the years, Waleed’s favourite guest is a surprising one!
“I’ve often said that one of my favourite things I get to do on the show is interview Elmo,” Waleed told TV WEEK at the Logies this year. “Everyone else who works on the show seems to have done it a lot of times, but I’d never done it and when he walked in, I was blown away.”
Charlie Pickering and Carrie Bickmore
Charlie Pickering and Carrie Bickmore’s friendship
Before Waleed came on board, his predecessor Charlie Pickering was holding his own on the desk. But it was his rapport with co-host Carrie Bickmore that really shone through (see them stuff up an intro below). In Charlie’s farewell episode, there was not a dry eye in the house when Charlie admitted how much he’d miss working with Carrie.
Charlie Pickering and Carrie Bickmore stuff up the intro on The Project
Dave Hughes Peter Helliar
Dave Hughes and Peter Helliar
When the show first hit the airwaves, it was billed as “news, but delivered differently”. And comedians Dave Hughes (left) and later, Peter Helliar (right) brought the laughs with jokes and jibes that continually have everyone in stitches.
One memorable moment involved a news report read by Carrie about how being intimate on Mars could create a new human sub-species due to the planet’s low gravity.
“If you reckon sex on Mars is hard what about sex on Uranus, that will be really tricky,” Pete responded. “That’s a very different planet.”
Sophie Monk Stu Laundy
The VERY awkward Stu Laundy/ Sophie Monk appearance
The Project is no stranger to playing host to celebrity guests. But when Sophie Monk and Stu Laundy appeared on the show after The Bachelorette finale in 2017, their very awkward behaviour had the whole country talking. Their stilted interview and uncomfortable body language caused fans to be convinced the couple had broken up and were faking their whole relationship.
