ABC, Chaser apologise over sick kid joke

THE ABC has been forced to apologise to the parents of dying children and the Make a Wish foundation after The Chaser last night made them the butt of a sick skit.
And according to The Daily Telegraph, the skit was not even original with a very similar clip already on the website of the satirical Onion News Network.
Outraged callers inundated the ABC after the "Make a Realistic Wish Foundation" segment in which Andrew Hansen and Chris Taylor ask actors playing hospital bed-ridden children what they wish for.
Ratings figures show more than 50,000 people in Sydney who were watching the program immediately switched off.

[@kierantherebel]

HAHAHA! I applaud the Chaser's, they truly are comical geniuses :) A+ Also if channel 9 think it is so 'distasteful', why did THEY replay the entire clip on national TV?

[@Zoso_1990]

Love it how she says "their fans didn't see the humour" and then you hear laughter.

[@shariko2007]

My 5 yr old daughter died in my arms from a rare genetic disease, Batten disease. Watching this skit triggered feelings of grief in me. People have no way of understanding what that feels like, if they have never been through a similar experience. I could not control what happend to my daughter anymore than I can control what comedians joke about. I can only control how I deal with my own thoughts and feelings. This skit didn't cause my grief; it was already there. A very emotive issue.

[@marquisdemcbride]

It's very interesting that despite them calling the sketch sick, they then proceeded to play the entire controversial sketch on the news show. Hypocracy at work there.

[@sKid-gh9ub]

I would say that was to demonstrate what was being talked about.

[@kaav89]

"It seems Chaser's viewers didn't see the funny side of this skit, when it aired last night." What are they talking about? I laughed my ass off when I saw this for the first time.

[@jupjupz]

Were you sitting there watching ABC when it aired? I take it you didnt see the BIG 10 sec warning before it started that it was going to contain adult themes and may be offencive to some viewers???? Unless you've been living under a rock, you'd have know by now that the chasers do step over the line.. take the eulogy song for example.. If you tuned in to watch the carebears at 9:30pm you're sadly mistaken...

[@VitasVarnas]

The PM also says he has an infinite amount of money but here we are.

[@Furaxisify]

I like how they rebroadcast this in the news.

[@ByrneBeatsInc]

If you don't like it, don't watch it.. simple as that.

[@agentkiller94]

@Charity22296 Actually the sketch was satirical and the purpose was to invoke sympathy for the kids. This is kind of like "A Modest Proposal".

[@igotnoideawhattoput]

"with audiences outraged across australia" = a lie What's more distasteful and shameful than this Chaser's sketch is the lies told by current affair programs like this one.

[@adamdude91]

That craig reucassel quote at the end is taken way out of context, he's not even talking about the make a wish sketch

[@wrightyy]

It's not wrong. It's funny. They aren't laughing at the kids. Or their cancer. If you don't get that, you don't deserve to be allowed to vote.

[@markhibble8373]

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is where you can see the fledgling snowflake emerging for her nest

[@DennisYang]

Kids die from hunger and disease all the time in other countries, and our kids get to make wishes? make-a-wish need to prioritize. Thumbs up if you agree.

[@robbo4pm]

it not being funny is subjective and it being disrespectful is the whole point of it being a war.

[@evertonjames123]

ye theyre not making fun of the children being sick but the foundation itself!

[@nicolebmoviesFTW2]

No. Help your own people you help other countries. Just because our kids live better doesn't mean they're not dying and don't deserve to make wishes.

[@Xbox3604]

she say's their audience didn't find it funny but if u listen u can hear the audience laughing

[@55CRUZER]

Lets be real, you were laughing every time they cut to the Chaser's clip

[@sheckler69]

This is just another example of the media blowing things out of proportion.

[@bezoo69]

that dying kid wanted to see the pope as her last wish... shows how smart she is

[@millertas]

As a parent of a child who has actually died and was treated by "Make-a-Wish" I was NOT repeat Not offended by the skit. I am more offended by patronising TV presenters like the one on this (Today/Tonight?) are much more offensive.

[@TheZerothDegree]

This is why the educational level in Australia and other countries needs to drastically improve - when politicians (who are supposed to be running the place) don't even understand what satire is, and what the point of it is, we're in serious trouble. And anyone who WAS upset and outraged by the sketch should take a look at what THEY do to help charity-run organizations. If you don't do your bit and donate money to those in need, then aren't you also shrugging them off like the sketch did?

[@teamkb]

There's a reason why the show has a M rating. Why don't you see this much media attention on movies glorifying violence, drugs etc? The fact is they have become normalized in society and we accept them. Kid's getting high or kid's dreams being brought down, I see no difference. Insensitive maybe, entertainment? YES. Kudos Chaser!

[@jupjupz]

i dont think people get the point of what the chasers do.. They wernt making fun of the kids.. They were doing a satire skit about the make a wish foundation.. Basically an over exaggeration of a more 'realistic' wish rather than making fun of the kids, yes they crossed the line.. but most of satire is about crossing the line :P else its not dark humour :P I just think people need to quick following the pack and chill out a bit..

[@B1ushMoe]

If they just left that last line out... everything would be ok

[@thebenosrises]

Yeah, well, they're just making more sense, then giving sick kids a trip to disneyland, which you won't have.

[@woodythefooty]

I think the chaser should have gotten a medal

[@MrNickeh]

comedic genius.

[@dezstroyer666]

i made nothing of an appology out of that

[@Razza2250]

ppl, it was a joke. taking offense is a choice. everytimes. no one said you HAVE to be offended. you chose to be. if you look at it for what it is, it's completely tongue in cheek, do you think The Chasers actually believe that's how sick children should be treated? no. that's why it's a joke. that's why they run a comedy sketch and in comedy, someone is always going to be offended. my sincere condolences to your sick children. but seriously. it's just a joke. chill out

[@EmoChickSmexy]

Craig: "We're amazed at what offends people" So Am I. Seriously, grow up people and take a joke. fuck sake...

[@jkljklmam]

Chaser should never apologise, what i dont get is why people just cant get a sense of humor and get off their periods and get over it

[@boldziga]

DONT WATCH THE DAMN CHASER IF YOU HATE IT

[@Neosacrifice]

'They didn't see the funny side...' * Audience Laughs* Stupid Reporter.

[@Ozsheila07]

forgot to add - look at how the commercial stations were prepared to show the skit in their news programs, so why aren't people upset about that???????

[@Curtis006]

It's called satire. They're not making fun of dying children or the Make a Wish Foundation; they're making fun of people who don't give to charity.

[@TheMaster47x]

On a serious note why do these kids get to make wishes when there are kids in other parts of the world, younger than them,suffering way worse everyday?

[@EDIITOR]

No i said NOT to be offended i meant it as just because they are sick does not mean they should not be offended

[@deadskippy69]

"You take one phone call and label all australians racist.. " This is but just an example of the rampant racism in aussie society. By saying Australia is racist, we are saying a significant and higher than expected percentage of aussies is racist. Only an idiot would claim all aussies are racist, because it's a statistical impossibility. "You take a small group of indians being mugged" It's not a small group when Indians account for 1 out of 3 mugging victims in Melbourne's western suburbs.

[@Icepak666]

tbh i reckon the media fully cut and edited what craig actually said and just put that bit only in for more of a reaction.

[@Th3RussBus]

Thats what makes this show SO good.They do what they want and don't give a fuck. Sure this joke did go over the line but it has truth behind it.

[@Quarker]

Why isnt there such response when politicians are made fun of, for example?

[@BadDriversOfTheIllawarra]

over here in aus that was all over the news even the primeminister was not happy

[@conorhoekstra]

i totally agree. the show isnt for everyone

[@numbuh53]

I like how it didn't actually show a clip of the Chasers or ABC apoligizing.

[@erauprcwa]

I found it funny. It's not like they were literally killing children.

[@cyphonephor1909]

They weren't making fun of dying children, they were showing how ridiculous these organizations are. Instead of sending food to starving people who "could" live, they spend thousands on children to travle around the world and "will not" live. People need to get the priorities in order.

[@julienfroidevaux1143]

Some one gets it . I would be offended if Make a Wish approached me as a child . If I was going to die what's the point of going to Disneyland? I'll take my memories to my grave ?

[@rethguals]

I'm not sure what's funnier - the ingenuity of the skit, or everyone getting all whiny about it. Cripes, you know something's wrong when the Prime Minister gets involved in petty things like this.

[@jupjupz]

Its sad that people who dont like this kind of comedy would sit there and complain about it.. When any normal person would switch the channel over and tell the networks what they dont like via the ratings.

[@jupjupz]

The kids were paid actors.. They wernt in a real hospital with real sick kids..

[@deworde]

They preyed on the vulnerable to make money. That's what they're supposed to be ATTACKING.

[@dankru]

The title is wrong. The Chaser guys never apologised and nor should they. If you do not understand SATIRE then don't watch them.

[@woahXgirl94]

it was actually made fun to make a wish. not sick children and people are so fucking blind. THIS IS HUMOUR.

[@LoneSolo23]

yep, they're just angry that they're kids are dieing, understandably, and to blame the chaser or to think there was any malice in that sketch is ridiculous. also who wouldnt want to shoot someone responsible for their child's death. dont blame the chaser

[@TheMsShuy]

'it seems the chasers viewers didn't see the funny side of this skit either...' Yet we can hear them all laughing in the background....

[@Nahasapasa]

Similar sketches/bits have appeared on lots of other shows with no backlash whatsoever (Chappelles Show, for example). This only made headlines because its the Chaser, same with the Eulogy Song. Selective outrage is getting out of hand.

[@loki6993]

Didn't take long for faceless abuse. which seems to be the common response for a difference of opinion in this sort of forum. PC is a widely accepted abbreviation for "Politically Correct." This was a skit on a show that pushes the boundaries, which is why most enjoy it. If you don't like it then make the choice not to watch it.

[@patmycatalan]

Why are people saying this is satire and therefore it's ok? The point of satire is to exaggerate or ridicule, through the use of humour, so as to expose people's stupidity or vices. I fail to see how these kids, or the foundation, have any vices which need to be exposed. Maybe it's humour for the sake of humour, but then why make it so brutal? The Mansion did a very similar sketch on the foundation, but they kept it tasteful. The Mansion did it properly, the Chaser just went too far...

[@mbdillon]

It was blatantly obvious that, being a comedy sketch show, they were not to be taken seriously. They were making ridiculous claims in satire which no one can believe that they support . In fact, I've seen multiple shows do basically the same joke and get no complaints off of anyone. Look at the chapelle show sketch. So in short, sure I support what they said. They said the right thing. They just obviously missed the mark for their target audience.

[@heatbucspies55]

The title of this vid has a double meaning "sick kid joke" can mean a joke about sick kids, or a sick joke about kids.

[@jupjupz]

It may be wrong.. but no ones asking you to watch... If you dont like spicey food you dont eat it right?

[@HyperactiveJake]

I only really thought the last line in the sketch was going too far.

[@Emerald3357]

thankyou every comment i've seen your summing it up, these reports infuriate and sadden me that the chaser name has been besmirched in this way (epic sigh)

[@neilmcneiler]

Taylor, Morrow, Hansen, Reucassel, and Licciardello f-ed up here. But all will be forgotten when they take their final breath Yes, even The Chaser will turn into top blokes after death.

[@Free-j3t]

The chaser does a skit about dying kids and everybody is outraged. They do a skit about a suicide bomber and nobody cares.

[@linesdissectinglove]

channel ten just wants to make a big deal out of everything the chaser does because never have they had a show on their station that was half as good.

[@BacktoBethlehem22]

I think people should understand that chaser's weren't insulting the children but the whole wish thing. People just don't get it sometimes

[@Walperion_Music]

Well I think if they were satirizing "the whole wish thing" they would satirize how corrupt those charity systems are or how the money you donate don't always go to the children, or how when you're subscribed to one charite another 10 will pester you. But no, they seemed pulled the focus of the sketch on the kid, not the charity.

[@ConradMcBad]

i agree. It was a joke, perhaps in poor taste, but it was just that, a JOKE. They didn't actually mean what they were saying. Besides this, it is actually a reality that sick kids have to face. A lot of them are far too sick to be able to go to disney land or be able to meet Zach Effron. And the genuine Make a Wish Foundation doesn't receive enough money to send as many kids as they would like to fulfill those dreams. All the Chaser was doing was merely caricaturing this.

[@AutumnMarieDee]

I don't have to calm down about this it's ridiculous my best friend Abby has had cancer since she was 4 and ever since I haven't seen her she has 2 more months to live until cancer takes her over and then I'll NEVER see her again

[@bobatbills]

THANK YOU australia is the most multicultural country in the world and we are also incredibly racist, jokes like this should not be taken seriously

[@tidusmi2]

Ok let's think about this, there is no way a children's hospital would just let the Chaser in to degrade sick children, this would have been set up and the hospital paid to play along, everyone was fine with it to enough of an extent. I thought it was funny and a bit shocking but that's what the Chaser are. Also the Prime Minister can shove it, he's just reacting to get on the side of the do-gooders. Also "They should be shot" Yeah that makes you a lot better than them lady.

[@antopolus]

Whether you take offense or not,they should have known that it was gonna draw some negative attention...But hey...Thats the beauty of their war :)

[@tehx3n]

that sketch wasn't making fun OF sick children, it was merely using them in a funny situation. I can understand that anyone whose child died would find the sketch upsetting, but you should be able to poke fun at serious things.

[@asienadam96]

that was a very nice stick i wouldn't mind it if i had cancer.

[@jpingage]

I've always wondered why Rudd and Howard before him insist on making public comments about the Chaser.

[@HSAdestroy]

It wasn't supposed to make fun of sick kids! It was how foundations don't live up to the wishes that the kids ask for. However, it was artistically a failure and it's intention did not reach most of the audience. Also the idea of it isn't necessarily a good one either.

[@whalegivingbirth]

Most stupid dispute ever. People know that the Chaser's put this kind of thing on their show yet they choose to watch it. If you're choosing to watch the show you cannot then go and say that you are offended by it. Obviously the audience found it funny as they were laughing. If you don't find it funny, don't watch it and get over it. Simple as that.

[@jupjupz]

correct.. kids were actors..

[@ihatelameusernames]

56 crew from Today Tonight & A Current Affair liked this.

[@LUKE070069]

This is a pretty sick sketch, making fun of the foundation and dying children. But, when you think about it, shouldn't the money used in the foundation be put towards finding a cure?...

[@Xzamilloh]

I don't have to give you a top comment to know the skit was funny.

[@germanicelt]

If only they would stop accelerating the death of those kids with chemo, and put them on the Dr Beck Protocol plus Hemp oil.

[@Supahflyfly]

So offensive we are going to show you all the worst bits of the sketch in case you missed out on being outraged!

[@rishflab]

why do u watch the show it cleary said in the begining that some viewerd might find content disturbing/offenseive

[@kitahsushi]

@whalegivingbirth It's not like people are watching it EXPECTING this skit to happen. You can't just choose not to watch what you're not expecting.

[@patcheslover100]

I agree, i also think that abc shouldn't have shut these guys down they were fucking funny and TT and ACA just came and fucked it up for them

[@0zziefan]

some people are so clueless! Obviously there aren't having a go at kids. Plus its the Chaser's job to push the boundaries. Its the job of the bosses at the ABC to pull something off air if it goes too far.

[@mikej5337]

lol they said that the chasers viewers didnt find this joke funny, when clearly you could hear them laughing in the background lol.

[@Xanatos712]

Just out of curiosity, was the Pope going to be in town anyway to meet millions of other people?

[@REVpioneer]

Bogans a race now? I think you mean I'm being discriminatory.

[@jbrain93]

Long live the chaser... screw everyone else.

[@easrth]

this was COMPLETELY out of line guys...

[@EDIITOR]

that wasn't what i was trying to say i was trying to say nobody is exclusive to offense yes they have the right to be pissed off but this dusn't mean that the chasers freedom to say what they want should be taken away just because someone has a problem with it

[@funkySmonkey]

peh - the mother thought it was "totally distasteful" yet was obviously watching chaser... so she SUDDENLY thinks they're distasteful.. STOP BORING ME WITH YOUR SOB STORIES. it was hilarious.

[@sirjarhead]

I am very open minded and have to agree, its a joke, it was only a skit of course they did not mean it.

[@DidntKnowWhatToPut1]

Look how much media attention it gave MAWF..Think about it guys

[@Flinklehurst]

As a person incapable of interpreting parody, this sketch taught me that sick children are selfish people and now I hate them all. Thankyou Chaser.

[@fredd298]

I'm more offended on average by their shitty reports than that skit.