Ita Buttrose talks about an over the top obsession of a rival tv host

Why is everyone picking on Karl Stefanovic?

It’s the question Ita Buttrose asked on the Studio 10 panel, when the topic of his love life was raised.

While images of Karl and new love Jasmine Yarbrough showed them on holiday in Mexico with members of Jasmine’s family, images of Karl’s wife Cassandra Thorburn at the same time showed her moving out of their recently sold Sydney home.

Sarah Harris asked on the show if they should be talking about the topic.

He may be a tv host on a different network but Ita was quick to respond in his defence. “Why is everyone picking on poor, wretched Karl?” Ita said. “He’s separated. Lots of people separate. I’m sure he hasn’t invited the paparazzi along, and I’m sure he wishes they’d go away: They’re a pain in the arse.”

Ita herself has been divorced twice, so she knows exactly the media’s interest in the topic. 

She said the obsession with Karl’s separation was over the top. “Karl is no different from any of the rest of us, and we should get off his back.”

Karl is no stranger to bringing attention to himself, often getting up to antics as part of his role as Today show host.

However, his private life is a different matter.

While accepting his 2011 Gold Logie Karl spoke glowingly about his wife, and in 2015 he also thanked her for giving up a promising career to be a stay-at-home mother.

When news they were separating after 21 years of marriage came out in October last year, for the most part, Karl didn’t say much.

Cassandra, while commenting on Facebook about her role in the success of her husbands career, also said to media she didn’t think it fair that her private matters were public fodder.

Do you agree with what Ita said about paparazzi?