2018 ended with quite the bang for the Today Show when its host of 14 years departed. But 2019 is a fresh start for new, positive beginnings, right? Well, almost.
Over the weekend, it was announced that Deborah Knight would be joining Georgie Gardiner with the network’s first ever all-female hosting team at the helm of the show – a move many are celebrating as an encouraging step forward.
But it seems not everyone is thrilled with the change.
Deborah and Georgie will co-host the Today Show in 2019. (Image: Instagram)
Taking to Facebook, a number of fans have slammed the network on the brand new line up, which also includes Tom Steinfort as newsreader.
One viewer took to Facebook to share her thoughts: “Absolute disgrace,” she wrote.
Referencing the dumping of long-time host Karl Stefanovik in December last year, the viewer continued:
“Georgie should be the one that’s fired. Channel 9 you’ve ruined a perfect show.”
Meanwhile, another fan wrote on Twitter: “I’ll pass thanks! Switched to @sunriseon7 6 months ago and haven’t looked back! Less dramatic and sensationalist than #TodayShow which was starting to resemble #ACA.”
Many were also questioning what had come of sports reporter Tim Gilbert, whose fate hasn’t been formally addressed publicly by the network, but doesn’t appear to be in the 2019 line up at all.
One fan wrote on Facebook: “Pretty sure those decision makers don’t really give two hoots about what the viewers want (wheres Tim???) Good luck with this line-up lol … epic fail.”
READ MORE: Karl Stefanovic: Why the loveable larrikin has lost his appeal
But public opinion aside, new host Deborah Knight revealed she was absolutely thrilled to be taking on the new role this year, telling Nine Honey, “I just want to get into it now, I just want to get into it and start the year with a huge bang”.
When it came to working with Georgie, whom she has worked with before, the new host couldn’t have seemed more excited (and without a smidgen of rivalry).
“There’s no risk involved because we’re both professional, we’re both journalists we’ve both worked together,” she said.
Indeed Deborah has already made a positive mark during her previous hosting stints, particularly on Weekend Today when she announced she was pregnant with her third child live on air.
See the moment in the video below:
Meanwhile, 2019 plans for former staff from the Aussie news program remains to be seen.
Just days before Karl’s exit was announced, his brother Peter Stefanovic was confirmed to be parting ways with the network, and later, it was confirmed Sylvia Jeffreys, his wife, was also leaving Today.
But it seems Sylvia mightn’t be finished with the network just yet, with the 32-year-old touted to be fronting another show for the network in what will be a prime-time slot.
