"Hopefully it's permanent": Karl's surprise holiday replacement announced
Karl Stefanovic's Christmas leave replacement on the Today show was announced on Monday, when it was revealed that Dr Nick Coatsworth, Australia's former deputy chief medical officer, would be filling Stefanovic's hosting shoes from December 26, granting the veteran host a well-deserved New Year's rendezvous with his family.
However, the digital realm erupted with mixed emotions following the news, with some online users not just celebrating Stefanovic's temporary absence but actively calling for the replacement to be made permanent.
Social media platforms buzzed with comments like, 'Please make it a permanent break', and 'Complete overhaul needed', suggesting a desire for a fresh face at the helm of the popular morning show. One disgruntled user even quipped, 'Hopefully it is permanent; the only one who thinks he is funny is him. Poor co-hosts with their fake laughs.'
As the summer breeze of change swept through the Today show, co-host Sarah Abo found herself replaced for the holiday season by regular Today show reporter Mia Glover, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the show's temporary makeover.
The real thunderstorm, however, came with the surprising decision to appoint Dr Coatsworth as the temporary host. A prominent figure in the medical field, Coatsworth had been a regular contributor to Channel Nine, particularly on matters of medicine.
Reports surfaced of disquiet among viewers, claiming 'plenty of noses are out of joint' over this unconventional choice. This sentiment likely stems from the fact that Dr Coatsworth, despite his frequent appearances as the show's medical expert during the pandemic, has never before taken on the role of the show's host.
Dr Coatsworth also has a new show in the pipeline titled Do You Want to Live Forever?, set to be broadcast on Nine next year. This unexpected move only adds to the intrigue surrounding the doctor's stint as a morning show host.
This shakeup comes at a critical juncture for the Today show, as its arch-rival, Sunrise, gears up for its 20th year of dominating the breakfast ratings war. According to the 2022 OzTam survey, Sunrise boasted an average national daily audience of 397,000 viewers, proudly claiming to be '31 per cent bigger than its nearest competitor.' Today, on the other hand, has struggled in recent years to close the gap with Sunrise, facing challenges exacerbated by a revolving door of presenters on the Nine show.
Images: Nine