Channel 9 is DESPERATE! The Shocking “Winning Pair” Reunion That Could Save the Today Show From Total RUIN!
Fans are calling for an iconic TV duo to front the Today Show following Sarah Abo’s early maternity leave and Karl Stefanovic’s shock axing.
Fans are calling for former Sunrise hosts Samantha Armytage and David “Kochie” Koch to front the Today Show.
Nine’s breakfast flagship has struggled to find a stable lineup after Sarah Abo went on maternity leave and Karl Stefanovic was axed from the program following his controversial sit-down with right-wing activist Tommy Robinson.
Since then, the network has been trialling a number of recognisable faces at the Today desk, including Armytage, Michael Willesee Jr., Sylvia Jeffreys and Tom Steinfort.
Fans are calling for former Sunrise hosts Samantha Armytage and David “Kochie” Koch to front the Today Show. Picture: Supplied
However, Studio 10 executive producer Rob McKnight pointed out that Nine had run into a number of speed bumps with some of their fill-ins, notably Willesee Jr.
“Willesee has drawn negative headlines, and plenty of industry chatter, for failing to live up to his father’s charisma,” he wrote for Daily Mail.
Furthermore, Armytage is said to be causing a fuss behind the scenes when it comes to which TV star sits beside her.
The Australian’s Media Diary reported last week that she blocked Joel Dry from the Today desk “at the last minute” after dubbing him a “cut-price Karl”.
Kochie, who helmed Sunrise for 21 years, stepped away from the program in 2023 in order to spend more time with his family and focus on other ventures. Picture: Seven
Now, a 2GB listener has offered what could be viewed as a lifeline for Today’s hosting lineup, suggesting former Seven stars Armytage and Kochie reunite for breakfast TV.
McKnight says: “Sam and Kochie were a winning pair who kept Sunrise at number one, even if their relationship frayed towards the end,” adding that a reunion between the former colleagues could give Today “the hook it needs”.
Kochie, who helmed Sunrise for 21 years, stepped away from the program in 2023 in order to spend more time with his family and focus on other ventures.
However, McKnight thinks Kochie would be easy to persuade to return to early morning broadcasting, so long as the pay packet matches the generous breakfast TV salaries.
Sam Armytage and Mike Willesee Jr appear on the Today Show as temporary fill-in hosts following Sarah Abo’s early maternity leave and Karl Stefanovic’s departure. Picture: Nine
And he may be the solution to Nine’s problem, with Kochie being an undeniably big personality – and one that could bring a bit of electricity back to Today.
“At least Kochie polarises viewers – a good thing. No one watches bland TV. Even those who hate Kochie watch him. He has opinions, and unlike Nine’s parade of bland, good-looking young presenters, he’s memorable,” McKnight says.