Karl Stefanovic has branded the French “weird and rude” despite enjoying the best that Paris has to offer while in France for Nine’s Olympics coverage.
The Today show host, 49, made the comments during a Monday appearance on The Kyle & Jackie O Show while discussing his trip.
Karl, who attended some events at the Paris Olympics, said he enjoyed watching Greco-Roman wrestling, “but not as much as the blue Smurf at the opening ceremony.”
“The pope published a letter about that,” said Kyle, 53, referring to criticism the masterpiece drew over a banquet scene in which an actor playing the Greek god Dionysus took center stage at a table with drag queens.
The scene was interpreted as resembling Leonardo da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper and some religious groups condemned the ceremony, including the Catholic Church in France, which said it included “scenes of mockery and ridicule of Christianity.”
But Karl played down the controversy by making comments about the French people.
“The French are weird. They are totally weird. We all know that,” he said, adding that “they are a bit of a strange nation sexually.”
After Kyle’s co-host Jackie O Henderson, 49, asked Karl how he was getting on with speaking French to the locals, he said: “I don’t really like them that much, they’re so rude.”
Karl Stefanovic has criticised the French for being “weird and rude” despite enjoying the best that Paris has to offer during his stay in France for Nine’s Olympics coverage. Pictured here with wife Jasmine and daughter Willow
This comes after Karl received criticism for partying in Paris following a series of redundancies at broadcaster Nine.
Karl and his wife Jasmine recently headed to the exclusive Girafe Restaurant, which requires a Game Pass to enter.
Jasmine shared photos of the lavish occasion on Instagram and revealed that Channel Nine had picked up the bill at the high-end restaurant.
“The French are weirdos. They’re absolute weirdos. We all know that,” he said in an interview on The Kyle & Jackie O Show on Monday.
“The Giraffe is with you. Thank you @channel9 for a lovely dinner,” she wrote in the caption, indicating that the couple had dined out on the network’s diner money.
This pricey restaurant offers caviar for up to €650 (AUD1,075), with main courses costing between $60 and $70.
But not everyone was happy with the post, with many fans arguing that it was bad timing, considering recent news of staff layoffs at Nine Entertainment.
As well as reporting live on the Olympic action with co-presenter Sarah Abo, Karl has also been making the most of the sights of Paris and enjoying some luxurious outings in the city.
One commenter on Instagram fumed: ‘I’m sure all the people who have just been fired from Channel Nine will be happy to see you eating at the most expensive restaurant in Paris paid for by Channel Nine.’
Another said: “100%. I like reading the room. Go out to dinner and enjoy. But at least have enough compassion not to post about it.”
According Women’s DayThere are also reports that Nine network staff are furious at being put up in budget accommodation while Karl, Nine chief executive Mike Sneesby and the leadership team are enjoying themselves at the five-star Le Pavilion de la Reine hotel and spa.
Hundreds of jobs are to be cut at Nine Entertainment, including roles in the high-profile television news division, prompting a staff strike.
In June, Nine Entertainment CEO Mike Sneesby announced the staff cuts as part of a $30 million cost-cutting plan for the company.
“Of our national team of almost 5,000 people, around 200 jobs are expected to be impacted at Nine, including some vacant and casual roles that will not be filled,” he confirmed.
Many fans have argued that Karl’s vacation photos are ill-timed, considering the recent news of staff layoffs at Nine Entertainment.