Karl Stefanovic has stated that his decision to skip the TV Week Logie Awards resulted in him experiencing his first truly restful night's sleep in two decades. The presenter, who has recently stepped away from mainstream television, was the subject of several jokes at the awards ceremony on Sunday night.
Despite being nominated for the Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Presenter, Stefanovic did not attend the event. He was later seen in Sydney on Tuesday, appearing unfazed by the proceedings. "I didn't watch the Logies," Stefanovic told Daily Mail. "I had the most beautiful night's sleep. I woke up fresh on a Monday for the first time in 20 years."
Stefanovic's absence from the Logies followed his departure from Nine Network in June, which occurred after a controversial interview with Tommy Robinson. This marked an abrupt end to his long tenure on the network's breakfast program.
During the awards show, host Robert Irwin made light of Stefanovic's absence. "Unfortunately, Karl didn't RSVP tonight, which means we didn't have to hire quite as many bartenders," Irwin told the audience at The Star Sydney. "But we've kept him a spare seat, just in case. It's over there to the right – the far right."
Stefanovic, who is now pursuing a career in podcasting, expressed no ill will towards Irwin for the jokes. "You can't be cranky with Irwin... It would be like being cranky with Bambi!" he joked. He was dressed casually in a grey long-sleeve jumper, black top, and black jeans, accessorized with a leather carry bag, presenting a low-key demeanor.
The Logie Awards ceremony itself drew criticism from some viewers online, who described it as a "woke fest" and outdated. Complaints suggested that some presenters focused too heavily on guests with left-leaning views while making jabs at figures associated with right-leaning politics, including Stefanovic, Dave Hughes, and Pauline Hanson.