Logies 2023: Today’s Karl Stefanovic reveals what happened after Kochie joke flop

Karl Stefanovic has revealed what he said to Kochie at the Logies after his joke about cocaine fell spectacularly flat mid-ceremony.

Karl Stefanovic and David Koch. Picture: Channel 7

Karl Stefanovic has opened up about his failed Logies gag, jokingly admitting on live radio today: “I don’t know what makes me do these things.”

The Today host was left with nothing but the sound of crickets after providing one of the ceremony’s most awkward moments with a risque gag about his former breakfast TV rival David ‘Kochie’ Koch.

He was ad libbing as he took to the stage late in the ceremony to introduce a tribute to Barry Humphries.

Referencing Koch’s award presentation earlier, where Koch named Stan series Bump as one of his favourite shows, Stefanovic seemingly made a joke about cocaine.

“I did want to just check something … I am pretty sure before I heard Kochie say he loves Bump’s … season 3. Did anyone mishear that? Because I am pretty sure I did. Anyway, those are the headlines tomorrow morning …” Stefanovic said, to a muted response from the crowd.

As the cameras cut to Kochie, it was clear he was a bit bewildered by the dig, leading to a very uncomfortable few moments of silence.

As host Sam Pang perfectly summarised onstage afterwards: “I don’t want to say Karl’s joke about Kochie sank, but OceanGate are offering expeditions to visit it.”

But Stefanovic appeared unfazed, laughing off the cringeworthy moment while on the Kyle and Jackie O Show today.

“Cleary the audience was too old... there really wasn’t much laughter, it was one of those totally awkward moments,” he was happy to admit.

“I got back to my seat, and you know, generally our partners support us.... that one went flat. Once I explained [to wife Jasmine].... but as they say, if you explain something, it’s no good.”

Stefanovic also revealed that he checked in with Koch afterwards, who asked him: “Are you making fun of me again?”

“I said, ‘I love you man!’ and he said ‘I love you too, just let me know what it’s going to be beforehand next time’,” he explained.

The KIIS hosts then kept Stefanovic on the line while they called Koch himself.

“I was just caught up in the confusion,” the former Sunrise host told the group live on air, laughing it off.

“I must admit, I’m not au fait with cocaine terminology... I was just talking about the famous show [Bump]!”

(FYI: “Au fait” is a French term, meaning to have detailed knowledge of.)

Stefanovic’s quip about Bump fell flat. Picture: Channel 7

Koch’s face said it all. Picture: Channel 7

Earlier on Monday morning, Stefanovic cheekily poked fun at his spectacular Logies fail during his own show.

After a highlights clip of Pang’s Logies jokes played during Today, the camera flashed back to Stefanovic, along with co-hosts Sarah Abo and Brooke Boney.

“You see, that is a funny man,” he said pointedly, before bursting into mock tears.

“Oh Karl, you’re all right! You’re OK,” Abo and Boney reassured him.

The hosts had a laugh over the failed gag. Picture: Nine

Following Stefanovic’s cocaine joke during Sunday night’s ceremony, viewers also shared their mortification on Twitter, with one pointing out that Koch looked “genuinely confused and annoyed”.

Kochie looking genuinely confused and annoyed that Karl Stefanovic made a cocaine joke about him 😂#Logies#TVWeekLogies

— Leon Sjogren (@Leonsjogren) July 30, 2023

"I don't want to say that Karl Stefanovic's joke about Kochie sank...but OceanGate are offering expeditions to visit it" 😭

Sam Pang I'm deceased #Logiespic.twitter.com/DliWtmQHKA

— Priyant 👨🏾‍🚀 (@Priyant1987) July 30, 2023

Wow Karl that got nothing lol #Logies

— ozboxfan (@ozboxfan) July 30, 2023

Ok I'm watching the logies and karl stefanovic is about 12 merlots deep and made a weird cocaine joke about kochy that totally bombed and then they crossed to kochy and he was throwing absolute daggers but not in a joke way. How is this awards show consistently so awkward#Logies

— Rose Callaghan (@operation_rosie) July 30, 2023

That look of fear in Kochie’s eyes is a real highlight of the evening for me #Logies

— Patsy Stone (@nanayada95) July 30, 2023

Kochie looking terrified at Karl. #Logies

— TheGrimRecapper (@TheGrimRecapper) July 30, 2023

Karl making cocaine jokes that only he gets ... #Logies

— Julian O'Brien (@Julian_OBrien) July 30, 2023

Elsewhere during the lengthy event, which saw Sonia Kruger take home the coveted Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality, Koch found himself at the receiving end of a savage burn from Nine journalist Liz Hayes.

In a drive-by shooting no one saw coming, the pair were onstage to present an award, with Koch filling everyone in on how he’d been enjoying his free time since retiring from Sunrise.

“I feel a bit of a bludger now,” he said. “[Wife] Liv sees me more. That is a downside for her. I’m not sure she’s too happy about it. And I have got a footy team to get deep into September. Any Port Adelaide fans here? Go the Pies! Come on, get onboard!”

After a beat, Hayes shot back a withering critique of Kochie’s speech: “The writers are still on strike, I see.”

Catch up on news.com.au’s recap of all the other ceremony highlights, along with the full list of winners here.

Originally published as Logies 2023: Today’s Karl Stefanovic reveals what happened after Kochie joke flop