Sunrise Weatherman's St Patrick's Day Stunt Takes Aim at Rival's Viral Moment
In a cheeky live television moment, Sunrise weather presenter Sam Mac has playfully mocked fellow breakfast TV star Danika Mason over her now-infamous on-air slip-up during the Winter Olympics. Broadcasting live from The Rocks during Sydney's St Patrick's Day celebrations on Tuesday morning, Mac embraced Irish pub culture by attempting the viral TikTok drinking trend known as 'splitting the G'.
The 'Splitting the G' Challenge Goes Live on Air
The tradition involves taking a precisely measured first sip from a fresh pint of Guinness so that the distinctive cream-and-black line settles exactly in the middle of the 'G' in the Guinness logo. After successfully completing the challenge during his early morning cross, Mac couldn't resist referencing Mason's recent headline-making moment.
'The reason I have done this so early is because I thought I'd be doing this at every cross today and by the end of the show I would be Danika Mason,' Mac quipped to hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington. The humorous jab drew laughter from the presenting duo, who appeared amused by the dig before quickly moving the segment along.
Mason's Winter Olympics Broadcast Goes Viral
Mac's comment directly referenced Mason's live crosses from the Winter Olympics in Italy, where the sports presenter stumbled over her words and appeared visibly flustered while delivering an update. The moment sparked widespread online reaction, with viewers questioning what had occurred during the segment.
Mason later addressed the incident with an on-air apology, candidly admitting she had been affected by alcohol consumption before the broadcast. 'I totally misjudged a situation. I shouldn't have had a drink,' she stated. 'And especially in these conditions, it's cold, we've got altitude, and not having had dinner probably didn't help as well. But I want to take full responsibility. It's not the standard that I set for myself. So in saying that, I'm really sorry.'
Aftermath and Colleague Support
The controversy continued beyond the initial incident, with Mason revealing days later that she had been stopped by US customs officials while traveling from Italy to Las Vegas. She joked that officers 'thought I looked suspicious' due to carrying multiple suitcases filled with ski equipment.
Despite the scrutiny, Mason has continued her on-air duties with the Today show, receiving public support from colleague Karl Stefanovic. 'I don't even know what you're talking about,' Stefanovic stated in her defense. 'You're the best, Danika. Don't worry about it. Let's move on.'
Mac's St Patrick's Day stunt and subsequent joke highlights how viral moments in television broadcasting continue to resonate within the competitive breakfast TV landscape, creating ongoing conversation and occasional friendly rivalry between networks and their presenters.
