No joke: Karl Stefanovic is doing stand-up

Karl Stefanovic is set to make his first move into stand-up comedy, with the former Today host lined up to open for comedian Isaac Butterfield at an upcoming Sydney show.

Butterfield revealed the booking during an appearance on Kyle Sandilands Live, telling host Kyle Sandilands he had written a stand-up set for Stefanovic.

“I've written him a set,” Butterfield said.

“I didn’t know that he was going to make me do that either.”

The appearance will put Stefanovic in unfamiliar territory following his departure from Nine earlier this year, shifting from television presenter and podcaster to performing in front of a live comedy audience.

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Stefanovic’s post-Nine chapter

Stefanovic left the Nine Network and his role as host of Today effective immediately in June 2026.

His departure followed significant backlash over an independent podcast interview he conducted with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which led Nine executives to issue Stefanovic with a breach-of-contract notice.

The controversy centred on Stefanovic’s interview with Robinson for his independent podcast, which was produced outside his role at Nine.

His upcoming appearance with Butterfield marks another step in Stefanovic’s post-Today career, this time testing whether the presenter’s on-air humour can translate to a stand-up set.

Butterfield’s controversial comedy

Butterfield has built his own following through stand-up and online commentary, often weighing in on public figures, media controversies and cultural debates, while attracting criticism for some of his material.

His commentary has included repeated criticism of Abbie Chatfield, with Butterfield dissecting her public statements, television appearances and responses to negative press. He has framed some of that commentary through a “live by the sword, die by the sword” view of public figures who participate in online call-out culture.

Butterfield has also used the attention generated by his online commentary and clashes with public figures to promote his stand-up dates, creating a direct crossover between his digital audience and touring business.