Today show host Karl Stefanovic is slapped live on-air by a guest as he is forced to face his greatest fear

Today show host Karl Stefanovic is slapped live on-air by a guest as he is forced to face his greatest fear

As a dedicated follower of Karl Stefanovic‘s career, I must say that his fear-confronting antics never fail to amuse me. The man has been through it all – from being savaged by a sausage dog as a child to now facing his fears with Lemon Chicken. It’s refreshing to see such a seasoned TV presenter let down his guard and show us his vulnerabilities.


On Tuesday, Karl Stefanovic, a popular host on the Today show, didn’t back down from a chance to face a significant personal fear directly on the program.

The veteran TV presenter, 50, was treated to a one-on-one with Australia’s Happiest Pet, Lemon Chicken.

The Channel Nine star and his co-host, Sarah Abo, were joined in the studio by a woman named Kris Stanley and her bird Lemon Chicken, which had just been crowned ‘Australia’s happiest pet’.

The animal known as Lemon Chicken, presumably due to its bright plumage, serves as a therapy pet. It enjoys exploring the garden and occasionally allows its nails to be adorned with paint.

Interestingly enough, interactions with tiny creatures don’t provide relaxation or comfort for Stefanovic; quite the contrary. Back in 2017, he confessed that he was once bitten by a dachshund, which might explain his apprehension towards small animals.

As a connoisseur of all things delicious and trendy, I am thrilled to share that my Lemon Chicken recipe has earned its rightful spot on a billboard, shining brightly in Chatswood, nestled on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. After an engaging online competition, the people have spoken, and my delectable creation now stands as a testament to their palate preferences!

Stefanovic began the segment on Tuesday by saying, “That suburb has many excellent Chinese eateries, and lemon chicken is one of the dishes they offer… Frankly, she’s fortunate just to be alive.

‘How do we know a chicken is happy?’ he asked. ‘Because it’s not on a dinner plate?’ 

Today show host Karl Stefanovic is slapped live on-air by a guest as he is forced to face his greatest fear

Ever since things started unfolding smoothly, a sense of trepidation had been brewing within me each time Stefanovic and Lemon Chicken shared screen space. And then it happened! As if instinctively responding to my own apprehensions, Lemon Chicken seemed to be marching right towards Stefanovic on the couch, making every fiber in my being tremble with anticipation.

His co-host Abo suggested that he try to hold Lemon Chicken to overcome his fear. 

Abo and Krissy attempted to persuade Stefanovic to share a tender instant, yet he became agitated when a chicken was set on his lap, causing it to flutter uncontrollably.

He begrudgingly held onto the bird for a few a seconds, before promptly dropping her on the floor. 

‘Oh my god you’ve dropped my baby!’ Krissy yelled as she slap him on the shoulder. 

‘I don’t like them,’ Stefanovic said to which the owner replied, ‘well she doesn’t like you’. 

‘I’ve had therapy for years! I’ve got PTS-chicken.’

Today show host Karl Stefanovic is slapped live on-air by a guest as he is forced to face his greatest fear
Today show host Karl Stefanovic is slapped live on-air by a guest as he is forced to face his greatest fear

Stefanovic attempted to make amends with Lemon Chicken by allowing Krissy to place the fowl on his shoulder; however, he struggled to do so without showing a disapproving expression.

‘How long since you’ve had a chick on your shoulder’ she asked.

‘Just last night actually,’ Stefanovic joked.

On previous occasions, the television host’s coworkers have brought up his past traumas during their broadcast.

2017 saw Stefanovic caught off guard, or perhaps ‘flustered’, when discussing pet photography on air, facing a small dachshund named ‘Frankfurt’.

As a passionate admirer of all things furry and adorable, I found myself recoiling at the sight of an irresistibly charming pet while Lisa Wilkinson, her eyes twinkling with age at 57, cradled it in her hands. She shared a tale from her past, “I was bitten by a dachshund, or what we used to call sausage dogs in Queensland, when I was just five years old.

‘I never got over it or got through it. In fact I’m sweating now, I’m in fear that this dog will savage my calf muscle’. 

Prior to starting the segment, the TV host displayed several nervous gestures and jokingly announced, “Time to face my greatest anxiety.

When the camera turned back to Stefanovic, his co-host Lisa was holding onto the dachshund.

As a lifestyle expert, I found myself edging cautiously towards the farthest point on my chair, seeking concealment from our overzealous canine companion. Multiple times, I subtly mimicked the act of retching, expressing my discomfort in a rather theatrical manner.

When the canine was lifted towards him Karl cried, ‘Get it away from me Lisa!’  

Stefanovic shared that his aversion towards dachshunds is nothing new, mentioning that dachshund enthusiasts have attempted in the past to persuade him to appreciate their beloved breed, but without success.

I, being a devoted admirer, tried once more to gently stroke the playful pup, extending my hand towards it. However, upon seeing my gesture, the host seemed displeased and recoiled with a face of distaste, ultimately deciding to abandon the attempt.

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2024-11-12 12:16

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