Yesterday Georgie Gardner called her co-host “pathetic” during a segment about dogs, just as the full transcript of a phone conversation between Karl Stefanovic and his brother Peter were released in all its gruesome glory. Today she is noticeably absent from the show’s couch with Deborah Knight filling in as co-anchor.
The official story is that she boarded a plane to cover the aftermath of the Tathra bushfires – but commentators and viewers are suggesting that it may be a “damage control” move.
Details have been released fully detailing the brothers’ extraordinary 45-minute phone call in which they bagged a whole lot of Channel Nine people including Georgie, who was accused of “sitting on the fence” and not having enough opinions. Karl also reportedly went on to say that she needed to “step up” if she “wanted to stay on the show”.
The bitchy but private phone call was apparently shared – for a price reported to be $50,000 – with New Idea by an Uber driver who was transporting Peter and his wife, Today newsreader Sylvia Jeffreys. The driver has denied that he recorded the conversation, which would be illegal.
Awkward couch banter avoided with Georgie sent to Tathra in southern NSW to cover bushfire aftermath. Source Channel Nine
In the transcript, Karl also took aim at the show’s veteran entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins, claiming he “kept all the entertainment contacts close to his chest”.
The 43-year-old also said the Nine bosses were “out of touch” and “didn’t know anything.”
Meanwhile Karl’s younger brother Peter, 36, who works for 60 Minutes and Today Weekend, complained that his roles were “sucking the life out of him.”
The brothers Stefanovic apologise
On Sunday, the brothers issued a preemptive apology as they geared up for the explosive story to hit newsstands on Monday morning.
“We talk a hundred times a day and hardly ever about work,” Karl told the Sunday Telegraph.
“But we did, and the conversation was recorded. And we are sorry. I was angry with myself at first that I could be so stupid. Pete and I were guilty of having a spray after a Sunday BBQ.”
“For the record Georgie Gardner is killing it as well. She’s the best thing to happen to the show in years. She’s hungry, she’s working hard and making the show better every day. I love working with her. Anyone says differently, they don’t know.”
“Ps. I’ll be taking cabs from now on,” he joked.
