The highs and lows of Karl Stefanovic’s time on Today
After the announcement from Nine that controversial TV larrikin Karl Stefanovic would be leaving his post as the host of Today, take a look at some of the highs and lows the polarising presenter has beamed into living rooms for the past 14 years.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News . Followed categories will be added to My News.
After the announcement from Nine that controversial TV larrikin Karl Stefanovic would be leaving his post as the host of Today, take a look at some of the highs and lows the polarising host has beamed into living rooms for the past 14 years.
RELATED CONTENT:
OVER THE TOP WEDDING COSTS KARL TODAY GIG
40 OF KARL’S MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS
KARL’S JOKE WITH THE DALAI LAMA BOMBS
When doing an interview with the Dalai Lama, Karl thought he’d have a crack at a joke and it bombed around the world.
His gag — “The Dalai Lama walks into a pizza shop and says ‘Can you make me one with everything?’” — was met with crickets from the his holiness, and the now infamous clip was aired on Good Morning America, Fox and CNN and covered on the New York Times, Huffington Post and Washington Post, leaving Karl an international laughing stock.
HOSTING DRUNK AFTER THE LOGIES
“It wasn’t any different to any other year — we all get smashed at the Logies and go to work the next day; we’d done it for years and years. But this was the first Logies when stuff really started working on the internet,” Stefanovic said.
KARL WEARS THE SAME SUIT FOR A YEAR
In a show of support for the criticism co-host Lisa Wilkinson copped for her outfit choices, Stefanovic conducted his own experiment, wearing the same suit on air everyday for a year. And nobody noticed.
The secret protest made worldwide news.
KARL ACCUSES TURNBULL OF ‘WAFFLING’
When Malcolm Turnbull was asked by Stefanovic during an interview on Today if his leadership would survive the citizenship debacle plaguing parliament, Mr Turnbull leant on well-rehearsed on lines.
“Despite all of the frenzy in the media — there has been plenty of frenzy — what we have seen is the creation in the last year of 371500 jobs, 85 per cent of them full-time. We have had the longest run of job creation — monthly job creation in 23 years …” he said.
Stefanovic quickly interjected, sparking a heated exchange.
“PM, with the greatest respect, you are waffling,” the popular host said.
Mr Turnbull shot back, accusing Stefanovic of being “patronising”.
BEN FORDHAM TRICKS KARL INTO EATING CHILLI PIE
Stefanovic was left red faced and struggling when co-host Ben Fordham tricked him into eating the world’s hottest chilli pie on air.
Stefanovic had to sign a waiver before taking a bite. He initially tried to pretend he was unaffected, before he looked dazed, with watering eyes, coughing and choking.
KARL LOSES IT OVER INTERVIEW WITH GRUMPY CAT
What happens when Grumpy Cat and Karl Stefanovic go head to head in an interview?
The Today host ended up in hysterics during his “exclusive” interview.
KARL TIPPED OVER THE EDGE OVER “LONG STABBY THING”
During a segment talking about home security, Stefanovic revealed he~ has a “long stabby thing” by his bed at night to ward off intruders. When Georgie Gardner was asked if she had something to protect herself, she replied “Well Tim’s (her husband) my long stabby thing”, causing Stefanovic to lose their composure over the accidental double entendre.
Ben Fordham tipped them all right over the edge though when he continued the conversation by saying he kept golf clubs by the bed so he could stand back and “be whacking them off from a distance”.
ROBBIE WILLIAMS KISSES KARL ON-AIR
While performing a string of hits on Today, Robbie Williams walked onto set and laid a smacking kiss on Karl Stefanovic.
Stefanovic appeared overjoyed, saying “I just kissed Robbie Williams on the lips and it was good!”.
KARL SLEDGES INDIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CRICKET FANS
Becoming famous for his on-air gaffes, Stefanovic offending Indian viewers when he asked a group of Indian cricket fans “Who’s going to be manning all the 7-Elevens today?” ahead of the cricket World Cup semi-final.
During a show the following day, the controversial host said New Zealand cricket fans should be called the “dole bludger army”.
The star later apologised on-air.
KARL CALLS OUT CLIVE PALMER
In a live interview on Today Clive Palmer made suggestions Wendi Deng, then-partner of News Corp owner Rupert Murdoch, was a Chinese spy.
He then went on to take digs at several politicians, the media and even Karl himself, telling him to “lift his game”.
Stefanovic was quick to shut him down, telling Palmer he had “lost the plot”.
JEN HAWKINS SPRAY TANS KARL ON-AIR
Karl was willing to play guinea pig when Jen Hawkins appeared on Today, spruiking her J Bronze tanning range.
Karl jumped in the tanning tent while Hawkins sprayed his and “gave him a few extra coats just because I love him.”
