American comedian Bert Kreischer offended a number of The Project viewers last night with an extended and unfiltered riff about his daughter’s ‘Period Party’, seemingly as revenge for throwing back a shoey the last time he was on the show. Whether the segment was actually anything to be upset by is another matter entirely.
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Taking to the programme in his typical shirtless get-up, The Machine himself told co-host Peter Helliar quaffing a froth from his shoe was “the most disgusting thing I’ve ever done in my entire life.”
When Waleed Aly said Kreischer must have “seen some stuff”, the comic barrelled into his monologue. Kreischer said his youngest daughter decided to throw a party to commemorate her first period – and that he was only too happy to help.
“I go, ‘What do you need?’ She goes ‘I need you to go to the store to get supplies,’” Kreischer said.
“I go, ‘How bad’s this period?’ She goes ‘No no no, I’m throwing myself a period party tonight. All the girls are doing it. So I need you go to the store to get a red velvet cake.”
The dude then mimicked gagging. The panel, and the audience, were essentially powerless in that moment.
Kreischer then explained the party involved eight girls and two hapless boys, who were essentially invited to be unwittingly educated about menstruation – but were only informed after scoffing vermilion baked goods.
“Dude, it was the funnest thing I’ve ever done, and I’ve partied a lot,” Kreischer said.
Comedian @bertkreischer delivers what could possibly be the loosest interview on #TheProjectTV. From period parties, to being banned from Instagram to bagging Steve Price – nothing is off limits! pic.twitter.com/vsB09aJRln
— The Project (@theprojecttv) June 17, 2019
A charitable reading of the segment is that Kreischer’s daughter exhibited a good deal of humour and agency over her first period, and that her father was happy to celebrate that fact; getting your dad’s help to play a harmless prank on some boys seems infinitely better than being left to navigate the situation on your own.
Despite coming across as a burly dude who just wanted his kid to feel supported at an important moment in her life – even if that support involved a bloody cake named Jason – some viewers claimed the bit was out of line.
Period talk during dinner? It’s a no from this house, we are switching over to the ABC
— Irish Gal (@irishgalinoz) June 17, 2019
This guy was so offensive and so unfunny. The Project remember the time slot you’re on
— Dianne (@DianneStrauss) June 17, 2019
IMHO, getting your period is still more natural than doing a shoey, and there’s not a whole amount to get worked up over in Kreischer’s interview. You can make up your own mind by watching the full episode here.
