Kitty Flanagan has been slammed for saying that Santa Claus doesn’t exist on last night’s episode of The Project, but did she actually do anything wrong?
Making her last appearance on The Project, Flanagan declared — not once, but twice — that Santa doesn’t exist.
“Oh, sorry — spoiler alert,” she said afterwards. “If you have kids in the room, you should probably have covered their ears and gone ‘la, la, la!’ or something.”
Hundreds of parents took to social media to complain about the gaffe, forcing producers of the show — which airs in a relatively early 6:30pm timeslot — to formally apologise via Twitter and offer a make-good appearance by Santa himself on tonight’s episode.
Last night was Kittys final performance on the show but neither she nor our show would intentionally offend kids like this just b4 Christmas
— The Project (@theprojecttv) December 10, 2014
Tonight we will be crossing to Santa in the North Pole so he can clear up any confusion for our younger viewers. Best regards, The Project
— The Project (@theprojecttv) December 10, 2014
Do you think Kitty was in the wrong, or is it time we tell kids the truth about Santa Claus? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comments below!
UPDATE: This poll has closed, and the votes are in. 39.48 per cent of you said you should let kids figure it out on their own; 23.93 per cent said you should tell the kids, but only when they’re old enough to handle it; 19.88 per cent said you should tell the kids the truth from the beginning; and 16.71 per cent voted for ‘Wait, what truth about Santa Claus?’
It’s true what they say — ignorance is bliss…
I think the bullcrap about Santa is so very wrong, it is the one thing that ordinarily honest people lie to their children about. It is the sad betrayal of trust a parent inflicts on their children. They believe what you say when you look into their eyes and tell them that Yes santa is real. Why do we feel the need to do this?
I don’t think there is anything wrong with kids believing in the Magic of Christmas- it’s for such a short time of their lives. I think it sucks when parents who don’t let their kids(and themselves) believe ruin it for others. It really says a lot about what type of person they are- my girls although grown up now always make a fuss about Santa to our friends younger kids and I love that they believe that other children should feel that joy- before they get to experience the cruel reality of what this world has become.
I’m glad my kids have the Santa experience to add a little magic, fun and mystery to their Christmas. Although times are tough and I’m thinking I should tell the 30 year old so I can save on having to buy his present from Santa each year. .
My adult son has autism etc and he is the biggest Man and he loves Santa he is more like a three year old who loves Xmas the music looking at the shops decorated and seeing the displays . He has done up he room with lights around the window a tree and Christmas decorations.let them have their beliefs and enjoy it.xmas only comes once a year and I live to see his excitement regarding Xmas.
No I have not sent a comment earlier regarding my autistic son living Xmas even thought he is a man
Don’t let the children down. Christmas is for family time and for the kids to have a little bit of “magic” and excitement. They will work it out for themselves. Don’t take the joy away from them. It is ok to pretend. What about the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny. It gives the kids something to look forward to when they wake up. I can’t believe how our beautiful country has become a nation of Scrooges.