Today Show debuts new line-up, fronted by Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner

The revamped Today Show has debuted with Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner, but viewers were less than impressed, branding it ‘boring’ and saying it ‘doesn’t work’. VOTE, HAVE YOUR SAY

The revamped Today Show has debuted with Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner co-hosting, as the show desperately battles to win back viewers after sacking Karl Stefanovic.

But they’ve savaged the new line-up on its first day, branding the new-look Today “boring”, “flat”, “overbearing” and “stiff” in a lacklustre start.

One viewer said the new-look panel “doesn’t work” with a string of others threatening to turn off the embattled show for Seven rival, Sunrise.

It wasn’t all bad news for Nine’s rebooted breakfast TV show, with some viewers praising Knight and Gardner as a “refreshing”, “smart”, and “empowering” on-screen pairing on Facebook, Twitter and in Instagram comments.

HUGE show this morning - PM Scott Morrison, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, tennis greats Jim Courier & Lleyton Hewitt, James Reyne performing live...oh and this new crew! Join us from Melbourne Park for @TheTodayShow pic.twitter.com/e7oYoS7uef

— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) January 13, 2019

FIRST DAY FOR NEW TODAY

Gardner said it was the “very first day of a new era” as she opened Today at 5.30am, with the show’s running time blowing out to more than four and a half hours.

“Good morning and welcome to Melbourne Park on this, the very first day of a new era of tennis on Nine, and you might’ve noticed a new look Today Show with a new team,” Gardner told viewers.

“And I’m thrilled to say good morning and welcome to my on-screen partner, Deb Knight.”

Knight added that Gardner was her “partner in crime” before introducing the rest of the team.

“Thankfully I’m not the only one on the desk who feels like the first day of school,” Knight joked.

Welcome to Melbourne, and welcome to our new look #9Today show! pic.twitter.com/GlYnPAbMDr

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) January 13, 2019

“I have new members of the team — and welcome to Tom Steinfort and Brooke Boney and Tony Jones,” she added.

Today’s new line-up features Steinfort as the show’s newsreader, replacing Sylvia Jeffreys who left the role in the massive shake-up last year.

Entertainment reporter Boney replaced veteran presenter Richard Wilkins, who was moved to Today Extra, though Wilkins made several cameos this morning including a live interview with Australian actor Luke Bracey.

Sports presenter Jones has joined Today, replacing Sydney-based Tim Gilbert.

TALKING POINTS

Today featured live interviews with PM Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, with Knight and Gardner opting for light and breezy questioning rather than a hard line approach.

Knight’s interview with Morrison fell flat, with her toughest line of questioning about how to boost numbers of female in parliament.

“What is more Australian, Prime Minister, than thongs and board shorts? If people want to wear that to a citizenship ceremony surely that is up to them?” Knight asked Mr Morrison during the interview.

Knight then offered the PM a pair of New Balance sneakers in the wake of photoshop-gate.

“How is your sneaker direction going when your choice of footwear (was) photoshopped out?,” she asked Morrison.

“Do you want us to send you a new pair out from the tennis? Should we pop them in the mail?”

Nine’s flagship show is broadcasting from Melbourne for the next two weeks as part of Nine’s first time broadcasting the Australian Open, before returning to its studio based in Sydney.

There were no obvious changes to the Today set as yet, as the show is being broadcast on-site from a temporary open-air studio outside Melbourne Park.

The overhaul of the troubled program came after Stefanovic was dumped while overseas on his honeymoon with new wife, Jasmine Yarbrough.

It all started with the exit of former Today executive producer Mark Calvert after five years in the role, as rumours circulated about “tension” with then-host Stefanovic.

Brooke Boney, Tom Steinfort, Deb Knight, Georgie Gardner and Tony Jones front the new-look Today. Picture: Alex Coppel

Stefanovic was dramatically sacked in December while he was overseas on his honeymoon, after negative publicity over his personal life.

Speaking ahead of Today’s return, Gardner said it was “about time” two women fronted a breakfast TV program.

Axed former Today co-host Karl Stefanovic, seen in Sydney. Picture: Jenny Evans

His new wife, Jasmine Yarbrough. Picture Jenny Evans

“They have been doing it in the States for years. The fact that Deb is female is just a coincidence,” Gardner told News Corp Australia.

“The decision-makers were looking for someone with the right credentials and, the fact that she is female, I think, is an added bonus.

“But make no mistake, there is nothing tokenistic about this appointment. It was the right person for the job and I am thrilled.”

Originally published as Today Show debuts new line-up, fronted by Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner