Susie O’Brien: Karl Stefanovic will only succeed on Today if he stops being a d---head
The return of Karl Stefanovic on Today is a sign that Nine has run out of options. But his triumphant comeback will only be a success if he does this, writes Susie O’Brien.
Susie O'Brien
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Now it’s time for Karl Stefanovic to get back to doing what he does best: being a decent bloke, not a d---head.
We’ve forgiven him for his big fat Mexican wedding, swanning around with his billionaire mates and that ridiculous eight-page Who Weekly cover story.
There are signs that his return to co-hosting Today in 2020 will be well received. But it does depend on him going back to being a knockabout bloke, not a trumped-up tosser.
Stefanovic’s popularity on-screen has always been based on his likeable, larrikin image. Sure, it may not have matched his multimillion-dollar lifestyle, but viewers didn’t begrudge his success because they thought he stayed the same down-to-earth family bloke.
It’s part of the reason why Sunrise’s Sam Armytage and David Koch have been so successful.
People feel as if they know them and see them as straight-talking, fun people.
Viewers deserted Today when they no longer felt they knew Stefanovic. This was when he left his wife and started swanning around town with a new younger woman Jasmine Yarbrough. It didn’t help when Lisa Wilkinson left too.
Although many Today audience members would have gone through divorce themselves, it’s the way Stefanovic and Yarbrough flaunted their relationship that put viewers off.
Stefanovic’s fall from grace was justified, but there are signs he’s finally starting to get it.
He’s stopped exchanging barbs with his ex-wife Cassie Thorburn through the media.
He’s toned down the appearances at high-end fashion events full of Sydney posers.
And he’s stopped running his mouth off in Ubers in front of drivers with mobile phones.
Photos showing his kids with Yarbrough suggest a thawing in her status as the new stepmum.
MASSIVE PROBLEM THAT TODAY IGNORED
Of course, the return of Stefanovic is a sign that Nine has run out of options.
Ratings for the female duo of Georgie Gardner and Deb Knight were at rock bottom, and the network was paying Karl handsomely to do just about nothing.
There are reports Stefanovic has come back for a million dollars less a year, which is probably about right given how much ground he now needs to make up.
Much will now depend on his on-air chemistry with new co-host Allison Langdon.
I’m a regular on Sunrise, so it suits me to see Today’s ratings so low. But both shows benefit when there are lots of engaged viewers in the timeslot.
I’ve been interviewed by Karl enough times to wish him well – but not too well …