ABC, Chaser apologise over sick kid joke

[@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

[@Zoso_1990]

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

[@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?

[@VitasVarnas]

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

[@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.

[@Furaxisify]

I like how they rebroadcast this in the news.

[@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.

[@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..

[@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.

[@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?

[@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...

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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".

[@robbo4pm]

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

[@markhibble8373]

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

[@ronan7695]

In 2009, we weren’t really using terms like “snowflake” or “SJW”… The Chasers were a bit ahead of their time

[@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.

[@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)

[@numbuh53]

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

[@sheckler69]

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

[@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???????

[@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

[@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.

[@dezstroyer666]

i made nothing of an appology out of that

[@jupjupz]

they actually did apologise.. But, there was a "BUT" at the end of the apology.. Julian released a press release to apologise..

[@ByrneBeatsInc]

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

[@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.

[@bezoo69]

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

[@stereotypical213]

Does it make me an evil/bad/*insert negative connotation* if I actually find this skit hilarious? To all the people crying about this, I'm afraid you will truly never understand satire. Please never watch The Chaser again and go back to your Rob Schnieder movies.

[@woodythefooty]

I think the chaser should have gotten a medal

[@thebenosrises]

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

[@B1ushMoe]

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

[@evertonjames123]

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

[@setcreator]

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.

[@jupjupz]

Okay so i missed one word... "Blame" after cant.. and you cant figure that out whole thing from one missing word?

[@MrNickeh]

comedic genius.

[@BadDriversOfTheIllawarra]

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

[@Walperion_Music]

It's interesting how this sketch has aged. Back then when I was in my 20s I think I would laugh at it without thinking. But now I'm in my 30+s I feel I'm getting more mild and emphatic, more people-loving and I have harder time trying to laugh at it now.

[@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?

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@drummerman1595]

"The Chasers War on Everything Except Sick Kids"

[@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.

[@asienadam96]

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

[@Neosacrifice]

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

[@conorhoekstra]

i totally agree. the show isnt for everyone

[@Quarker]

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

[@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.

[@Noahboah234]

I love how she's like-Noone found it funny, and then the audience burst out laughing

[@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....

[@EmoChickSmexy]

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

[@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.

[@jpingage]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@robo003d]

It may be funny to all of us but others can't take a joke that seriously

[@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

[@ihatelameusernames]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@woahXgirl94]

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

[@jupjupz]

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

[@z3parino]

Hell yeah. I doubt any actual Chaser's viewers complained about it.

[@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.

[@HyperactiveJake]

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

[@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

[@REVpioneer]

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

[@TheBluePhoenix2]

that skit did go too far but the fact they got cancelled for it is outrageous!

[@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.

[@deworde]

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

[@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

[@mikej5337]

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

[@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

[@Xanatos712]

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

[@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.

[@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...

[@kingmidnaw1446]

THEY didn't have to watch and ACA & TT DIDNT HAVE to air It.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@asienadam96]

you dont see africans with a stick as nice as that girl got

[@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.

[@OryAlle]

Why was there no outcry when the onion did EXACTLY the same thing? Personally I see the funny side of the sketch.

[@erauprcwa]

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

[@boldziga]

DONT WATCH THE DAMN CHASER IF YOU HATE IT

[@rishflab]

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

[@fixederror]

Nive finger wiggling Krudd.

[@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?...

[@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.

[@jupjupz]

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

[@TheDavidMac90]

"Viewers were not amused..." Then we hear all the laughter :P

[@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.

[@sirrington]

This is Sartiar (Sorry for spelling) WTF, if you find it offensive don't watch, don't waste your time complaining.

[@fredd298]

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