The Project cops backlash over gay marriage 'no' ad parody

The Project took on the gay marriage "no" ad to great effect. Photo / Channel 10

The team from Australia's version of The Project has landed in hot water in some quarters for airing a pointed take-down of a controversial ad opposing same-sex marriage.

The ad has been fiercely debated since it first aired earlier this week, and on Wednesday night, The Project skewered it in a take-down that went viral but looks to have been taken down.

Panellist and comedian Peter Helliar threw to the rejigged ad saying the team had managed to get hold of the original raw footage of the conversations which in the official ad.

"It's amazing what ends up on the cutting room floor," he said, before I version rolled, featuring a number of women calling "bulls**t" on claims from the original, including that classes about gay relationships had been made compulsory in schools where same-sex marriage is legal.

"Where? North Korea? Have you checked Snopes, because that sounds like bullshit," a woman pops up in The Project's parody in response to that claim.

In a humorously cutting response to the original ad's claim that children in Year Seven were "asked to role-play being in a same-sex relationship", The Project's version features a woman replying: "Was it a school play of Brokeback Mountain? That's a huge ask to expect anyone to top Heath Ledger's performance."

Naturally, the skit went viral, and has been viewed more than 250,000 times from The Project 's Facebook page.

Equally naturally, it's received a mixed reception.

Those who support same-sex marriage equality think its hilarious.

@pjhelliar 👏👏to you sir on making a pathetic ad into a funny 😂 ad. Thanks for spinning into a positive. 🖖

— GiftWrapChic (@ThorinCom) August 30, 2017

F**k Yeah! Oh @theprojecttv I love u more & more 4 saying what we are all thinking! if only the backward thinking Aussies would listen too!

— tboyproductions (@tboyproductions) August 30, 2017

Those supporting the "no" vote said it was biased, and a lot of posters - whatever their individual stance on the subject - argued The Project shouldn't be wading into the debate, accusing it and others of bullying people for having an opinion.

Essentially what you're saying is that people who vote 'No' are homophobic bigots? Got to love the media today. Very unbiased reporting.

— Zac (@AgentYugz) August 30, 2017

We're unsure if "love wins" in the wash-up, but certainly the skit was a social media debate victory.