He kicked off his week on a high welcoming Georgie Gardner to the Today show as co-host.
But his gracious reception of Lisa Wilkinson’s replacement was the beginning of several trying days for Karl Stefanovic.
From bad ratings, making a baby cry on live TV and his $200,000 Mercedes-Benz breaking down en route to his girlfriend’s birthday party, Daily Mail Australia takes a look back at Karl Stefanovic’s week from hell.
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Cute or cringeworthy? Karl wore a floral two piece outfit to celebrate younger girlfriend Jasmine’s birthday on Friday
The weekend before returning to the breakfast show, the 43-year-old shared a bizarre selfie on Instagram of him wearing a pair of translucent brown sunglasses from his Fiji with girlfriend Jasmine Yarbrough.
‘The sun’s rays can be damaging. But with these on I have all the protection I need without compromising style,’ the Channel Nine star wrote in the caption.
His fans were quick to him a good old-fashioned ribbing, including one who wrote: ‘Don’t forget that the sun’s rays can be damaging to your scalp… Those remaining 17 strands of hair you’ve got don’t provide adequate protection.’
Questionable look: Before returning to the helm of the Today show, Karl Stefanovic dropped a bizarre selfie on Instagram sporting a pair of translucent brown sunglasses. His fans gave him an old-fashioned ribbing: ‘Don’t forget that the sun’s rays can be damaging to your scalp
Red faced! On Tuesday, the father-of-three’s baby-handling skills were left to shame after making the one-year-old daughter of Married At First Sight couple Zoe Hendrix and Alex Garner cry
On Tuesday, the father-of-three’s baby-handling skills were put to shame following his awkward interaction with the one-year-old daughter of Married At First Sight couple Zoe Hendrix and Alex Garner.
During the cringeworthy interview, Karl offered to babysit Harper before scooping her from mother Zoe’s arms, but the little girl started screaming and crying for mum.
Pulling a cheesy thumbs up, he turned to the camera and added: ‘And if you want me to look after your kids, you can contact me on…’
Zoe wasted no time jumping up from her seat to pacify screeching Harper.
The following day saw him offend locals from the Sydney suburb of Caringbah after butchering its pronunciation during a live breaking story about a house fire in the area at 5.30am.
In the report, Karl – who currently lives in the blue ribbon Sydney suburb of Mosman, a 15 minute drive from Channel Nine’s Artarmon studios – can be heard saying ‘Ca-ring-bah’ as opposed to the correct ‘Caring-bah’.
Community Facebook group Sutherland Shire – Latest News & Alerts shared the Today show clip to alert members in the area to what had happened overnight.
‘Clearly (you’ve) never been to the Shire!’ The following day he offended locals from the Sydney suburb of Caringbah after butchering its pronunciation during a live breaking news about a house fire in the area
While many of them tagged their family and friends asking if they were safe, some locals couldn’t resist making fun of he Brisbane-raised journalist’s mispronunciation.
One Facebook user wrote: ‘Karl – pronounce the suburb correctly, clearly (you’ve) never been to the Shire.’
To top off the more than eventful week, ratings showed Today’s direct competitor Sunrise coming out on top with an average of 30-40,000 more viewers every morning this past week, according to The Daily Telegraph.
All smiles on Seven: To top off a more than eventful week, the ratings for breakfast TV were released with Today’s direct competitor Sunrise coming out on top with an average of 30-40,000 more viewers every morning this past week, according to The Daily Telegraph
‘Love her, can’t stand him’: Many viewers commented on her professionalism after the show, but urged the network to rethink of Karl’s position. ‘Love Georgie, can’t stand Karl,’ wrote one viewer, while another wrote: ‘Don’t like Karl, get him off’
Meanwhile online Today viewers praised Georgie’s professionalism but urged the network to rethink of Karl’s position.
‘Love Georgie, can’t stand Karl,’ wrote one viewer, while another wrote: ‘Don’t like Karl, get him off.’
Australia Day should have been a welcome relief for the Channel Nine talent, but it was soon short lived after his $200k Mercedes broke down in Mosman while en route to his girlfriend’s 34th birthday bash.
So much for luxury: Australia Day seemed be a welcome relief for the Channel Nine talent but that was soon short lived after his $200k Mercedes broke down in Mosman while en route to his girlfriend’s 34th birthday bash
With traffic backed up for more than hour behind him, Karl looked stressed as he made arrangements to tow the luxury coupe.
While waiting for assistance, the journalist decided to make a call into The Ray Hadley Show and do a live traffic report.
He made light of his car problems and subsequent traffic issues, blaming the problem on not having enough petrol in his car.
Soon after help arrived for the frustrated reporter, however it is unclear as to why a tow truck was called when he clearly cited lack of fuel as his issue.
Eventually Karl made it to Jasmine’s 34th birthday shindig where things seemed to get out of hand after the police were called to the Mosman property.
Live traffic reporting : Karl looked stressed as he made arrangements to tow the luxury coupe. While waiting for assistance, the journalist decided to make a call into The Ray Hadley Show and do a live traffic report. He blamed not having enough petrol in his car
Thank god you’re here: Soon after help arrived for the frustrated reporter, however it is unclear as to why a tow truck was called when he clearly cited lack of fuel as his issue
Partying too hard? Neighbours called the authorities on the party. NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia they were called to the Mosman address at 11.25pm on Friday for a complaint about loud music
NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia they were called to the Mosman address at 11.25pm on Friday for a complaint about loud music.
The outside of Karl’s house was sparsely decorated with one oversize pink balloon, however the large backyard featured a party atmosphere for the birthday girl.
On Saturday, the couple marked the special occasion with a cheesy photo of them in front of a sign with her three letter nickname.
Friends who attended the shoe designer’s party shared Instagram story videos and snaps.
Party time! Friends who attended the shoe designer’s party shared Instagram story videos and snaps of the occasion