After 16 years, countless headlines, heartfelt stories and big laughs, The Project has officially come to an end.
Friday night’s final episode marked the end of one of Australian TV’s most recognisable and frequently talked about formats, with the original panel show bowing out just weeks shy of its 16th anniversary at 4504 episodes.
The last ever broadcast featured co-hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Georgie Tunny and Sam Taunton — with surprise messages and appearances from some of the show’s biggest names over the years.
Rachel Corbett joined the panel on the desk one last time, and Hamish Macdonald dialled in from his holidays the UK, while Lisa Wilkinson — in a somewhat slightly unexpected appearance — sent a video message despite her turbulent exit from the network following the Lehrmann saga.
Former hosts and contributors including Carrie Bickmore, Dave Hughes, Charlie Pickering (from NZ), Tommy Little and Susie Youssef joined the celebration, as did other founding cast members and regulars across the week like Peter Helliar, Gorgi Coghlan, Celeste Barber, Rhys Nicholson, Jimmy Rees, and more.
Still, some familiar faces were notably absent — no appearances from early co-hosts James Mathison and Ruby Rose (no real surprises there) or early regulars like Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald, Andrew Rochford, Chrissie Swan or Kitty Flanagan.
More recent regulars like Joel Creasey, Jan Fran, Jessie Stephens, Liz Ellis were also MIA, along with any mention of former UK correspondent Lucy McDonald and long-time entertainment reporter Hyla.
Also notably absent was Rove McManus — Friday night co-host and co-owner of Roving Enterprises, which created and produced the show.
Despite the absentees, the finale reminded audiences of everything The Project did right: giving a platform to important causes, raising millions for charity, offering a launchpad for emerging Melbourne comedy talent behind and in front of the camera, and — for the most part — blending current affairs with entertainment in a way few shows could.
The show ended with a retrospective on its legacy, including a moving farewell from Waleed Aly and a final nod to Carrie Bickmore’s charity work with Beanies 4 Brain Cancer. It all ran a little over time — fittingly — wrapping up just before 8pm.
Over the years, The Project picked up 11 Logie Awards and a Walkley — no small feat for a commercial TV format that walked the tightrope between comedy, compassion and commentary six nights a week.
Its departure also leaves a noticeable gap in the local TV landscape: a live panel platform for comedians, musicians, actors and journalists is now one less. The loss of studio audiences, live interviews, and that unpredictable blend of chaos and charm is a blow to anyone still rooting for live TV.
In its place, 10 will launch new current affairs program 10 NEWS+, hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace, from Monday, 30 June at 6pm — arguably TV’s toughest timeslot.
But for The Project, the final segment has aired — and with it, a significant chapter in modern Australian television has come to an end.
Finally
Good
The biggest mistake they did was hiring Lisa Wilkinson. What a waste of space she was for the money she was paid. Furthermore the Walkley and Logie awards they received over the Brittany Higgins-Bruce Lehrmann case should have been returned.
You need to check your facts in future. The Walkley Award was won in 2012, Hamish Macdonald Television Current Affairs Reporting for his report, “Age of Uncertainty
I was surprised that Rove didn’t make an appearance.
Best guess would be that (for once) Rove didn’t want to make the finale about himself? He really only appeared regularly on Fridays towards the end anyway.
 unfortunately, the project was less popular than anothershow
No loss
Sad to see it go as a fan of live variety TV. Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Rove, The Panel, etc and now this. 🙁
Watched The Project from the start and thought it could go on forever. Will really miss it, and the guests that were allowed to have an outlet to talk about their things and occasional performances.
Also with a comment to the article whilst Joel Creasey didn’t make an in person appearance for the final he was there for the episode on Thursday 19 June.
The Project was the perfect combination of news & entertainment for the time slot
Terry Donovan well it could have been if they hadn’t talked woke to their navels millenial style.
Rick Andersen I don’t think Steve Price was woke
Terry Donovan certainly didn’t pass the pub test.
Thank goodness that’s finally gone
Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead. I went and sat in the Audience for a taping solely because Id never been to a live TV Taping of anything before, 45 of the 60minutes was pre-taped and forced laughter and one of the hosts bragging to his mates in the crowd during commercials. Only ever heard of one of the hosts and found no joke funny. But loved seeing how they made the show.
Andrew Venables I bet you’re fun at parties
Glenn ‘Barra’ Barrington Proud designated Driver
Andrew Venables proud designated… Dare I say….?
Judging by your despicable comment.
Andrew Venables maybe you should try drinking for a change
I love how people get joy out of shows being axed. 🙄 There is more to a show than just hosts. Lots of people without jobs.
Great Show will Miss All The Guys What NOW ??
Love it or hate it, The Project did something different than everything else for 16 years and that deserves respect.
Now we’re back to a very bland news and current affairs landscape and I can’t think of a single program I’d sit down for an hour and watch, or even ten minutes of.
Also missing was Peter Van Onselen
Sad to see the show go after so long
Ten have shot themselves in the foot but why? it was the only decent show on the network.. whatever they replace it with will fail.. and they will have put the last nail in the coffin of the whole network.