Karl Stefanovic responds after Robert Irwin’s unexpected Logies comments — but his reaction may not be what anyone expected
A conspicuous absence on TV’s biggest night
Karl Stefanovic may still have been on the ballot at the 66th TV WEEK Logie Awards, but the former Today host chose not to attend the August 16 ceremony.
Instead, Karl spent the Logies weekend in Berry, NSW, with his wife Jasmine and a group of friends. The getaway also doubled as a birthday celebration after Karl turned 52 on August 12, with the group dining at local farm-to-table restaurant Sara.
According to a source quoted by New Idea, Karl was reportedly unfazed about missing the industry’s biggest night.
“He’s focused on the future and his podcast. He’s not interested in looking back,” the source claimed.
But while Karl was away from the ballroom, his name was very much part of the evening
Robert Irwin wastes no time bringing Karl into the spotlight
As host of the 2026 Logies, Robert Irwin quickly turned Karl’s absence into one of the night’s opening jokes.
“Unfortunately, Karl didn’t RSVP tonight,” Robert joked, before adding that they had kept a spare seat for him “to the right” — followed by the punchline, “the far right”.
The joke referenced Karl’s controversial podcast interview with far-right activist Tommy Robinson, an episode that became a major factor in the end of his time at Today.
Karl was also mentioned by comedians Guy Montgomery and Urzila Carlson during the ceremony, making the former breakfast television star one of the night’s recurring targets despite not being there
Karl had already made his feelings about the Logies clear
Karl had confirmed before the ceremony that he would not be attending, describing the prospect as “a tad awks” given the circumstances surrounding his departure from Nine.
Despite remaining a nominee for the Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Presenter, he also made an unexpected choice when discussing who he believed should win.
Rather than campaigning for himself or former Today co-host Sarah Abo, Karl singled out Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr.
“I think Nat Barr should get the nomination in my place,” he said, praising her as “brilliant” and saying she deserved to be among the nominees.
It was a notable gesture towards a former breakfast television rival.
A reunion Karl missed
Karl’s decision to stay away also meant he missed several familiar faces on the night.
Sarah Abo, who recently welcomed her son Sonny, was back in Sydney and visited the Today studio with her newborn.
Karl also missed a reunion between Sarah and several of his former Today colleagues, including Jayne Azzopardi, Tim Davies and Danika Mason, who travelled to Melbourne to meet baby Sonny.
Karl did, however, like a social media post showing the reunion.
A very different chapter for Karl
Since leaving Nine and Today in June, Karl has increasingly appeared to be turning his attention towards life beyond breakfast television.
Rather than returning to the Logies, he spent the weekend celebrating privately with Jasmine and friends — a decision that, at least from the outside, suggested his priorities may have shifted.
And while Robert Irwin’s jokes ensured Karl remained part of the Logies conversation, the bigger question may be whether the former Gold Logie winner is ready to leave that chapter of his television career behind for good.