Sam Pang, Tony Armstrong, Osman Faruqi, Matt Okine, Sami Shah, Waleed Aly, Stan Grant.
What do these men have in common? They’re all highly-experienced, popular and accomplished Australian media identities – and they all will never be the next host of Today.
(I’m very happy to be proved wrong on this.)
Yes, you can argue some might have prior contractual commitments, or they’re not a ‘perfect fit’, or they’ve no experience in a breakfast time slot… but that’s not really why they’re most likely ‘unsuitable’ for the role, and we all know it.
For the first time in two decades, Today has a chance to shake things up, make a change, reach a wider, albeit maybe different, audience. Make some television history, even.
I suspect, though, the show probably won’t see a replacement for Karl Stefanovic as the incredible opportunity it is. After all, Nine is responsible to shareholders and advertisers who will most likely be risk-averse and claim, “go woke, go broke.”
But… what if it turns out better than anyone could have predicted? What if diversifying the host isn’t going ‘woke’ but simply offering something different to the expected?
Look, I was (until very recently) a fan of Stefanovic. His ‘Aussie larrikin’ spirit. His preparedness to laugh at anything. His cheeky charm.
Stefanovic was popular with most viewers. That status has been largely destroyed thanks to his increasingly conservative views this year, and an interview platforming Neo-Nazi Tommy Robinson – and now his time at Nine has come to an end.
Today urgently needs a replacement, and a great replacement, as popular Sarah Abo, Stefanovic’s co-host, will soon be on maternity leave.
Alas, I’m not sure all eligible candidates will be considered… such as people who are shades of brown by birth – and not because they spent time on their billionaire mate James Packer‘s super yacht.
Tom Steinfort filling in for Karl Stefanovic on Today. Image: Instagram
Various news sources have instead listed the usual suspects as replacements.
David Campbell, who already does Today Extra and whom I’m a major fan of because he’s a great all-rounder – and his dad is Jimmy Barnes.
Tom Steinfort makes sense as he’s already filling in, and has been with Nine for years.
There’s also been speculation about respected reporter Charles Croucher… and even Kyle Sandilands.
The way I see it, no matter who is Today‘s next male host, he might not immediately have Stefanovic’s experience and/or rapport with the audience – but neither did the young, roguish Karl when he started all those decades ago.
Times have changed, and audiences are probably hungry to try something new for breakfast.
Top image: Tony Armstrong, Tom Steinfort, David Campbell, Matt Okine. Images: Instagram