Today show: Surprise star asked to fill in on struggling breakfast show
Rumours are rife that the Today show is considering a new line-up in 2020 in the hopes that it would boost the shows abysmal ratings.
According to news.com.au, comedian Andy Lee was recently approached by the network, asking him to co-host the breakfast TV show.
Lee has been working with Channel 9 for a long time and regularly appears on the Today show to promote his various TV and radio shows and kids books.
The invite for Lee to “fill in” is a big move on the network’s part as they are currently “looking at their options” according to TV Blackbox editor Rob McKnight who is best known for creating and producing Studio 10.
“I think we’re at a 50/50 split as to whether the line-up will change next year,” McKnight told news.com.au.
“Nine right now are looking at their options. It’s no surprise to anyone that Nine would be sitting back and going, ‘Do we continue with what we’ve got and try and evolve it or do we start again?”
“It’s quite possible they haven’t made that final decision, but there’s no doubt conversations are taking place about scenario A, B, C and D.”
It is currently not confirmed whether the comedian’s right hand man, Hamish Blake has also been approached to fill the role. According to McKnight, if he has then the Today show could actually work.
“Hamish and Andy on the Today show would be something refreshing to watch,” he said. “On the proviso that when you are doing a serious topic, it’s the news team (running the coverage) and then when you start getting lighter you introduce the comedy element.
“Today show is at the point where they would have nothing to lose if they started again,” said McKnight. “That’s not to criticise the people that are working on it at the moment, but the fact is they blew it up and it’s failed.”