Today host Karl Stefanovic got “worried” during an awkward interview in which the infamous guest, known for a massively viral meme, appeared to be unconscious for more than a minute.
Pop star Justin Timberlake has been arrested and charged early on Tuesday for drink-driving in a village in New York’s Hamptons.
Police said Timberlake, 43, was driving a grey 2025 BMW in Sag Harbor around 12:30 AM, when he ran a stop sign and veered out of his lane twice.
Court documents stated he had “bloodshot and glassy” eyes, smelled of alcohol, had slowed speech, and performed poorly on field sobriety tests.
Timberlake claimed to have had one martini and was following friends home.
After being arrested and taken to East Hampton police station, he refused a breath test and was later released without bond.
His next court date is scheduled for July 26.
Stefanovic, alongside fellow Today host Sarah Abo, were interviewing Jack Karlson, the man known for the viral “democracy manifest” video from 1991.
In the video, Karlson is seen being arrested and led to a police car by multiple officers.
One of the officers who arrived at the scene joined Karlson for the interview and explained to Stefanovic the various “mistruths” and “versions” of the infamous arrest.
Jack Karlson, the man known for the viral “democracy manifest” video from 1991, appeared to have “nodded off” during his Today interview. Picture: Today
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The pair joined Today to promote the upcoming documentary based on Karlson’s life: ‘The Man Who Ate A Succulent Chinese Meal’.
However, as he was speaking, Karlson appeared to be sleeping.
The interview began with some minor technical difficulties with the two older gentlemen struggling to hear the Today hosts, but about two minutes into the segment Karlson’s eyes closed.
He did not open them again for almost 75 seconds with the discussion continuing without him.
Karlson awoke when his counterpart suggested he should have gotten an Academy Award for his theatrical display during the arrest.
Stefanovic then joked he was glad Karlson was alive.
“I just got a little worried there, Jack might’ve nodded off like ‘Weekend at Bernies’. You still with us, Jackie boy?” Stefanovic asked.
The documentary was directed by Heath Davis and co-produced by Tim Randall and the author of ‘Carnage: A Succulent Chinese meal’, Mark Dapin, and is set for release in March 2025.
Stefanovic then joked he was glad Karlson was alive. Picture: Today
The viral video of Karlson’s arrest surfaced almost two decades after the incident in 2009 when it was uploaded to the internet.
In the video, Karlson shouts his famous line which became the inspiration for the title of the documentary and book.
“This is democracy manifest!” Karlson yelled in the video.
“Get your hand off my Penis! … What is the charge? … Eating a meal?
“A succulent Chinese meal?”