Internet icon falls asleep during interview with Karl
An interview on the Today show has gone pear-shaped after the famous guest seemed to fall asleep live on air.
Hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo were joined by Jack Karlson: the man behind the infamous “Democracy Manifest” news segment from 1991, which later became a much-loved online meme.
Karlson, who appears in the vintage news clip being arrested outside a Brisbane restaurant after enjoying what he referred to as a “succulent Chinese meal”, was joined by one of his arresting officers on the morning show to discuss the incident.
The interview kicked off and quickly went downhill, as the elderly gentlemen seemed to be having audio problems and couldn't hear Karl and Sarah's line of questioning.
Then, as the former police officer began answering questions, Karlson closed his eyes for over a minute, seemingly having a nap live on air.
Stefanovic noticed Karlson's impromptu kip, asking, “I just got a little worried there, Jack might’ve nodded off like Weekend at Bernies. You still with us, Jackie boy?”
Karlson opened his eyes and rejoined the conversation to discuss the upcoming documentary The Man Who Ate A Succulent Chinese Meal, based on Karlson’s life.
Directed by Heath Davis and co-produced by Tim Randall and Mark Dapin, author of Carnage: A Succulent Chinese Meal based on the now-viral event, the film is currently set for release in March 2025.
The video of Karlson’s arrest became an meme when it was finally uploaded to the internet in 2009.
In the video, Karlson declared while resisting arrest by police: “This is democracy manifest!”, “Get your hand off my penis!” and “What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?”
Image credits: Today