Karl’s cheeky ‘ukulele sledge to Bill Shorten

Karl Stefanovic has delivered a cheeky sledge to Bill Shorten following Sunday’s bizarre 60 Minutes episode with Scott Morrison.

Karl Stefanovic has delivered a cheeky sledge to Bill Shorten referencing Sunday’s bizarre 60 Minutes episode with Scott Morrison.

The Today host, who interviewed the Prime Minister and his wife Jenny Morrison for Sunday’s exclusive sit-down, was discussing the star-studded Super Bowl half-time show with the former Labor leader and radio host Gus Worland on Tuesday.

Monday’s epic Super Bowl performance in Los Angeles featuring hip hop legends Dr Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar drew widespread acclaim from NFL viewers.

“Billy, I wonder if it took you back to the clubs with 50 Cent there?” Stefanovic asked.

“My rap days are over,” Mr Shorten replied.

“Come on, Billy,” Stefanovic said.

“Next week,” Mr Shorten promised.

“It’s not a ukulele,” Stefanovic said.

The PM was widely mocked for the “cringe-worthy” attempt at playing the ukulele during family dinner over margaritas at Kirribilli House in Sunday night’s 60 Minutes.

In the episode, Mr Morrison plays the ukulele while singing a rendition of April Sun in Cuba by Dragon, joined by his Jenny Morrison and two daughters, Lily Morrison and Abbey Morrison, who also sing along, as Stefanovic grins and nods along.

Scott Morrison playing a ukulele during a 60 Minutes interview.

In his recap, news.com.au’s James Weir wrote, “It’s this specific musical moment in the 60 Minutes snippets that causes an all-body reaction where you involuntarily pull your knees up to your chest and cover your face with your hands — peering at the painfully awkward scene between splayed fingers. It’s like on The Bachelor when one of the contestants decides to read an earnest handwritten poem — or worse … rap. It hurts to watch.”

Speaking on Tuesday morning’s Today panel, the trio also discussed independent MP Zali Steggall’s donation controversy.

Ms Steggall, the climate change warrior who toppled former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in his Warringah seat at the last federal election, reportedly failed to declare a six-figure donation from a wealthy coal investor, The Sydney Morning Herald first reported on Monday.

In a fiery interview on The Project on Monday night, Ms Steggall said she had made a mistake in recording the donations totalling $100,000 from John Kinghorn, but insisted she was right to accept the money.

“As soon as it was brought to my attention we absolutely investigated it and Warringah Independents amended the return and that has been on the public record since February 2021,” she said.

Mr Shorten said Ms Steggall had made a “rookie mistake”.

“I think we’ve got to try and stamp money out of our election system, the big private donors, but whilst she is in a different point of view to mine, anyone who says that she has compromised (her) views on climate hasn’t listened to her speak in parliament,” he said.

“I don’t think her views are at all compromised. She is a climate change activist and MP. I think she is a net plus for the parliament in terms of what she is trying to do to get the government focused.”

But Worland said it was “a terrible look”.

“Whether it’s 100 grand first up or you divvy it up so you don’t have to talk about it, that system is wrong,” he said.

“Anyone who has been saying it isn’t is not right. It just fails the pub test. Most people walking around on the street would say that’s ridiculous.”

Originally published as Karl’s cheeky ‘ukulele sledge to Bill Shorten