Page 13: Virginia Trioli’s move to replace Jon Faine leaves Aunty with a host of problems
Never mess with a winning formula is TV 101 but it’s something the ABC seems to have forgotten as it shuffles the deck chairs in the midst of an election campaign. The latest to shift roles is Virginia Trioli, but has she jumped the gun?
Page 13
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Don’t mess with a winning formula — it’s TV 101, but it seems to have been forgotten at the ABC.
It’s the middle of an election campaign, but News Breakfast’s Virginia Trioli jetted off for the Venice Biennale this week, leaving a few raised eyebrows.
Word on the street is it came as quite the shock to many inside Aunty when Trioli was announced this week as Jon Faine’s replacement at radio 774 when he retires.
VIRGINIA TRIOLI TO REPLACE JON FAINE
While Trioli had been tipped to do the local radio gig, there are still plenty of hosting roles available on national television shows such as Q&A and Insiders to be filled and worked out.
Had Trioli jumped the gun?
Many at Aunty were surprised she opted to replace Faine. Who will replace her on ABC’s very successful News Breakfast show alongside host Michael Rowland? Fill-in Lisa Miller is now an odds-on favourite.
Page 13 may be reading too much into the tea leaves, but it was widely understood the much-liked and competent Rowland (above with Trioli) was a shoo-in to take over from Insiders host Barrie Cassidy once he left the show post-election.
Thinking woman’s crumpet Cassidy is a tough political interviewer who can get the best out of a robust panel. No easy feat. But with Trioli leaving News Breakfast, surely Aunty’s top brass does not want to see both hosts exiting stage left in 2020 after their show has climbed steadily in the ratings.
Just look at Channel 9’s dismal Today ratings this year as a prime example of how breakfast show audiences prefer continuity and familiarity.
Veteran ABC radio host Red Symons was unceremoniously tiptoed and replaced with a practically unknown radio duo.
Bad move! Maybe the role as Insiders host role won’t go to the road-tested Rowland now. He is likely to be needed to stay in the News Breakfast co-host chair. The Insiders gift could go to outsiders Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas.
And who becomes Q&A host? Tony Jones says he is going to China with his wife, former Four Corners host Sarah Ferguson, in her new role as ABC China bureau chief.
While Trioli did not rule out the Q&A job, while announcing herself as Faine’s “attack dog” successor this week, insiders say she cannot hold down both roles.
As the federal campaign rolls on, every political interview and piece-to-camera appearance is being viewed as a live audition.
Watch this space!
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