Pizza joke falls flat with Dalai Lama

During his interview with the Dalai Lama, who was on a visit to Sydney, Australia, Karl Stefanovic attempted to crack a Zen pizza joke.

"So the Dalai Lama walks into a pizza shop," said Stefanovic.

"Pizza shop," the Dalai Lama repeated.

At that moment, Stefanovic should have known his joke was doomed, but bravely continued.

"Pizza shop yes, and says can you make me one with everything," he said.

As a polite but confused Dalai Lama looked blankly at the presenter, Stefanovic persisted: "Do you know what I mean? Can you make me one with everything."

He finally gave up, holding his head in his hands realising his attempt at humour had fallen flat.

"I knew that it wouldn't work," Stefanovic conceded.

Speaking afterwards, Stefanovic reflected his joke was always doomed because the Dalai Lama did not know what pizza was, but he said he was happy to have met the Tibetan spiritual leader and felt inspired by the interview.

"Anyway I felt better having spoken to him and I think everyone that talks to him does," Stefanovic said.