Karl Stefanovic's awkward attempt to crack a joke with the Dalai Lama has gained global attention — and it's not all positive publicity for the
TODAY
host.
Media outlets including the Huffington Post, ABC News and the Washington Post have featured footage of the joke on their websites.
"The Dalai Lama walks into a pizza shop,"
Stefanovic
begins, during the interview aired last Friday.
After Dalai Lama interrupts to ask for a translation, Stefanovic deliveres the punch line: "And he says, 'Can you make me one with everything?'"
The spiritual leader looks confused and only ends up laughing when Stefanovic sheepishly admits he knew the joke wouldn't work.
Most journalists were sympathetic with the host's failed gag.
"Stefanovic took the comedy disaster in stride, so he's got that going for him, which is nice," wrote the Huffington Post.
The Seattle Post added: "This might have gone better if the Dalai Lama understood the concept of pizza toppings. Or if a translator wasn't needed. Or if Australian Today show host Karl Stefanovic hadn't collapsed into a fit of giggles."
Others criticised Stefanovic for failing to impress the political leader.
"The Aussie's decision was foolish and his lame, rather inept sense of humour was cringe-worthy," wrote Death and Taxes magazine.
Stefanovic seems to be unperturbed by the fuss, freely admitting it was a bad joke.
''OK worst gag of the year with best guest short list … Even I am cringing," he tweeted at the time.
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