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After a ‘mass exodus’ of The Project hosts at the end of 2022, those who will be taking the spots of Carrie Bickmore, Lisa Wilkinson and Peter Hellier have been revealed.
The announcement came via social media, with a photo of the new line-up being posted, revealing that comedians Sam Taunton and Michael Hing are the final pieces to the puzzle.
They join newly minted panellists Georgie Tunny, Sarah Harris, Hamish MacDonald and Waleed Aly who is the only full-time host left from the 2022 line-up.
So who are our new The Project hosts?
The ‘new look’ lineup for The Project 2023.
(IMAGE: Channel 10)
Georgie Tunny
Georgie Tunny hopes that her new full time gig on The Project will be a ”challenge.”
(IMAGE: Channel 10)If this name rings a bell, it’s for a familiar reason!
Georgie is the former host of the ABC’s breakfast flagship program News Breakfast, where she stayed for an impressive eight years.
Following her April 2022 departure, she was hired by Network 10 as a fill-in for long time host Carrie Bickmore, alongside fellow tele regular Chrissie Swan.
And now, the veteran television journalist is set to stay.
Speaking on her departure from the ABC, Tunny told the Sydney Morning Herald that she needed a ”new challenge.”
”I’ve always loved The Project team. I’ve been with The Project [as a guest panellist] for four years and it’s such a wonderful unit. They’re such a great team on camera and behind the scenes, and you don’t always get that – so I’ve been told – with commercial TV.”
But that’s not all, Georgie’s name is synonymous with that of her singer/actor fiancée Rob Mills who fell in love with her whilst seeing her on News Breakfast. Cute!
Oh, and did we mention that Georgie is a Taylor Swift fan? She’s got the tick of approval from us!
Sam Taunton
Sam Taunton is no stranger to the microphone.
(IMAGE: Instagram)Joining Sarah Harris and Waleed Aly Monday to Thursday is comedian Sam Taunton.
After joining the stand-up comedy scene way back in 2017, Sam has picked up newcomer nominations left right and centre and hasn’t looked back since.
Speaking of his new gig, Taunton said he was feeling a mixture of ”excitement” and ”nervousness” at joining the program.
”It’s a fresh cast and we’re all looking forward to creating something new and energetic and that I think people will really respond to,” Sam told Media Week.
”I’m also excited to steal Waleed’s opinions and use them as my own at dinner parties,” he joked.
To celebrate his new position, Sam took to Instagram to share his happy news: ”As a small child I always told my parents I wanted to wear a suit when I grew up. They told me this wasn’t possible as that kind of attire was reserved for politicians, real estate agents and football players at the tribunal.
”Well today I stand before you as a man with none of that intellect, but who will be wearing a suit from 6:30pm – 7:30m Monday to Thursday on Channel Ten,” the post continued.
Prior to his permanent panellist position, Sam worked for Channel 10 as a roving reporter for the show.
”As a comedian, to be stepping into this role is a bit surreal, to be honest,” Sam told 10Play.
”It’s very daunting….but it’s a real honour and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Michael Hing
Michael Hing is a mixture of businness, brains and of course some fun.
(IMAGE: Instagram)If you are an avid Triple J listener, Michael Hing is no new name.
The comedian, broadcaster, gamer, actor, podcaster and ‘Hobba and Hing’ co-host on Triple J [the station’s weekday drive program], has really done it all and has a cult following to match.
Speaking on his new gig, Michael told Media Week that he was looking forward to letting the dust settle on his new role.
”Honestly, I’m so thrilled to be joining Lisa, Pete and Carrie at The Project and look forward to getting to work with some of the biggest names in television! Wait, what?”
(For those that don’t get the joke these three have all stepped down from The Project panel).
The jokes didn’t stop there as Michael (also known as ‘Hing’ by his cult following of Triple J listeners) shared to his Instagram stories: ”They had some jobs going so I applied.”
Michael has also previously appeared as a guest panellist on the show and will now feature on Friday and Sunday nights.
”It’s incredible, what a fun team to work with,” Michael said adding, ”can I just say, coming from almost a decade of working at the ABC and SBS, I’m really looking forward to opportunities to sell out so I can finally pay my parents back the money I borrowed from them for an exchange semester in Mexico I did at uni.”
”I guess the main thing is now we’ll have a budget. You don’t have to bring your own milk and tea bags to work at The Project like we had to at SBS,” he joked.
”Aside from that, the only real difference now (and it’s very small) is that every joke I make has to be vetted by the lawyers at Paramount Global, so can I just saw, that’s great and I love it.”
Same Michael, same.
The Project will be returning to air tonight, Monday 9th Jan with the new line up.
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