Karl Stefanovic is left ‘worried’ as iconic guest appears to fall asleep during trainwreck interview
Karl Stefanovic was ‘concerned’ when an iconic guest appeared to fall asleep during a trainwreck interview on Wednesday’s Today show.
The TV presenter, 49, and his co-host Sarah Abo raised concerns while interviewing Australian legend Jack Karlson on the Nine Network show.
Karlson was arrested on October 11, 1991 while enjoying a “juicy Chinese meal,” and appeared on Today more than 32 years later to discuss the incident.
He joined the show via video link from Brisbane, along with one of the police officers who arrested him, Stoll Watt, who have become fast friends since the viral moment.
But the interview got off to a bumpy start as the two friends struggled to hear the show’s hosts before things got worse when Karlson appeared to fall asleep.
Karl Stefanovic was ‘worried’ after an iconic guest appeared to fall asleep during an awkward segment on Wednesday’s Today show
About two minutes into the chat, Karlson closed his eyes while Watt spoke and did not open them again for more than a minute as the conversation continued.
When Stoll finished speaking, Stefanovic said, “I was just a little worried, Jack might have fallen asleep like Weekend at Bernies. Are you still with us, Jackie boy?’
Karlson, now in his 80s, then opened his eyes and joined the conversation again, with Stefanovic and Abo trying not to laugh.
Things took a turn when Stefanovic then asked ‘Mr Democracy Manifest’ how he ‘got off’ after his arrest, but Karlson didn’t understand what he meant.
Stefanovic then clarified that he was asking how he could avoid going to jail, prompting Karlson to respond, “Oh, they realized I wasn’t the person they were looking for.”
The TV presenter, 49, and his co-host Sarah Abo were concerned while interviewing Australian legend Jack Karlson on the Nine Network show
About two minutes into the chat, Stefanovic closed his eyes while Watt spoke and did not open them again for more than a minute, raising concerns among the hosts
Karlson and Watt have appeared on a series of chat shows promoting a new documentary based on Jack’s life called The Man Who Ate A Succulent Chinese Meal.
The duo appeared on ABC News Breakfast earlier on Wednesday to lift the lid on what really happened on the now infamous day more than 32 years ago.
Host Michael Rowland asked part-time actor Karlson if the whole arrest was “all a piece of performance art.”
‘I think so. It’s a bit difficult to remember the motifs and that’s because you go back so far,” he replied.
Recalling the events of that fateful day, Watt added: “Jack is a good friend of mine now, but I have a different version of events than what actually took place.
Karlson was famously arrested on October 11, 1991 (pictured) while enjoying a “juicy Chinese meal,” and appeared on Today more than 32 years later to discuss the incident.
‘There are many different versions of events. There are many mysteries and misconceptions about the whole thing.
“But the most important thing is that Jack should have gotten an Academy Award and he’s a good friend.”
Rowland, 55, went on to ask about one of Karlson’s most iconic lines when he shouted, “Get your hands off my penis!” as police wrestled him into the back of a police car.
“Was it true that a police officer grabbed your genitals or was that made up on the spot?” Rowland said.
Karlson replied, “Probably made up. I do not know anymore.’
Watt then explained, “Jack has since said he exaggerated that one. But I have to say that in another field Jack would have been a good detective.”
The duo, who have become fast friends since that historic day, turned the lid on what really happened as a “democracy manifesto,” ABC News Breakfast reported.
The legendary bust of the ‘juicy Chinese meal’ took place on October 11, 1991 and was filmed by a Channel 7 news crew led by Reason.
Reason received a tip that Karlson was arrested for using a stolen credit card to pay his bill. It later turned out to be a case of mistaken identity.
Nevertheless, the arrest was filmed by Network Seven’s news television crew and has been viewed millions of times since the arrest was uploaded to YouTube in 2009.
The blurred footage shows Karlson delivering a series of off-the-cuff Shakespearean lines as he is reluctantly dragged away from his lunch.
‘Gentlemen, this is a manifesto of democracy!’ Karlson roars at the camera. ‘Get your hand off my penis!
Karlson and Stoll Watt – one of the police officers who arrested him on the now-viral day – have appeared on a series of chat shows promoting a new documentary based on Jack’s life
‘What’s the charge? Eating a meal? A juicy Chinese meal? Ooh, that’s a nice headlock, sir. Ah yes, I see you know judo well.’
The minute-long clip has since become the subject of countless memes and even has its own Wikipedia page.
After much speculation, the man taken away by police turned out to be small-time crook, part-time actor and full-time showman Karlson.
Decades later, Karlson’s arrest story is told in Mark Dapin’s book Carnage: A Succulent Chinese Meal, Mr Rent-a-Kill and the Australian Manson Murders.
Karlson will also appear in an upcoming documentary entitled The Man Who Ate A Succulent Chinese Meal.
Decades later, Karlson’s arrest story is told in the book Carnage: A Succulent Chinese Meal, Mr Rent-a-Kill and the Australian Manson Murders by Mark Dapin
The viral sensation will also appear in an upcoming documentary, titled The Man Who Ate A Succulent Chinese Meal.
Karlson is a talented painter and actor who starred in a music video for punk rock band The Chats and appeared as an extra in classic Australian television dramas Homicide, Division 4 and Matlock Police.
Karlson He is also known to have had links to some of Australia’s most notorious crooks from the 1970s to 1990s, such as Mark ‘Chopper’ Read and gangster Neddy Smith.
He has been held in prisons in Brisbane (Boggo Road), Sydney (Parramatta, Long Bay) and Melbourne (Pentridge) and has escaped from custody three times.