James Weir on TV’s sensational job exit we all wish we could pull off

This was a bloody PR disaster on live television. But it’s how we all wish we could leave the job we hate, James Weir writes.

Tony Jones left Channel 9’s sinking Today show this week in a blaze of glory, setting fire to what’s left of the joint and flipping the middle finger to his former colleagues as he went rogue and revealed to viewers he “got the arse”.

What a spectacular way to go out — it’s the way we all wish we could leave our jobs. As the end nears, the bitterness slowly bubbles up and you start issuing backhanded remarks to co-workers while waiting in line at the office Zip tap. Then, on the final day, as everyone pretends to mourn your departure and lie about how your surly attitude will be missed, you just let rip and tell everyone what-for.

Like when I quit Sunglass Hut and told Lesley and Joan what I really thought of them before knocking over the sale rack as I stormed out.

TJ didn’t push over a rack of sunnies, but he was ready to get the hell outta there and this was clear in last week’s live cross when Today’s That Lady & The Other Girl threw to him at the racetrack.

It was … awkward. I hate that word to describe things that happen on live TV — it’s an unscripted environment and everyone’s just responding to what’s being thrown at them. There’s always going to be some awkwardness. But this was … awkward.

It was … oh … what’s the word? Oh, right. Awkward.

In a bit of banter that fell flat, TJ asked the Today team what Australiana food might be included on a menu for French visitors while reporting live from Sandown Racetrack.

“A kangaroo burger, maybe?” That Lady asked, not really caring because she’d already checked out.

“Oh, you’d just go and slaughter a kangaroo, would you, Georgie?” TJ blurted.

“Kangaroo meat is readily available across Australia. That’s not uncommon.” she shot back.

Obviously Teej wasn’t in the mood. And when The Other Girl asked if he’d brought his cavoodle Archie down to the track, he hit the bloody roof.

“Deb, we’re at a racetrack,” he spat. “Probably not a great idea to bring the dog, I wouldn’t have thought.”

Look, I get it. Archie the cavoodle seems really private and probably doesn’t want his personal business or daily whereabouts reported on national TV. Jeez, show some respect, The Other Girl.

Teej wasn’t in the mood, pls and thank u.

Anyway, hours later when headlines were screaming about this bizarre interaction, TJ announced he had left the show! Then a few days later he declared he’d be packing up his things and leaving after Friday’s broadcast.

In one final live cross — because Channel 9 never learns — Teej gave a hearty farewell. And, after Archie the cavoodle’s anonymity had been blown by The Other Girl, the canine decided to make a cameo.

“Archie, it’s not a great morning,” TJ addressed his dog. “You should have just stayed in bed with mum, shouldn’t you, mate? The good news is, Archie has a new two-year contract. I got the arse. It’s all going very, very well.”

Too right. Sounds like everything’s on track.

To be honest, it’s this kind of rogue behaviour Today has been missing all year. I’m not a programmer, but everyone knows viewers want rage and bitterness in the morning. It’s why we all love watching Nat Barr and Sam make fun of Kochie while he shakes his fist at the sky.

When bosses got rid of That Lady & The Other Girl they should’ve just installed Tony as the only host and told everyone else to beat it. As good news stories about puppies and people surviving illness played in the bulletin, Teej just would’ve eye-rolled and tore us a new one for three hours.

It’s called light and shade.

Teej and his diva cavoodle Archie bid farewell.

WHY ARE MORE PEOPLE NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS?

Forget The Bachelorette finale — there was an even bigger television event on Thursday night and I’m surprised more people aren’t talking about it.

If you flipped on A Current Affair, you would’ve seen Tracy Grimshaw had busted out from behind that giant desk and was on the ground in an exotic location. She only ever does this for passion projects.

So where the hell was she?

“I’m in Quebec City with Celine Dion!” Trace announced while standing on a random bridge. We were confused. Celine Dion? On ACA? Sandwiched between an investigation into a ring of dodgy plumbers and an exposé about welfare cheats?

At first I had the volume down and, when I turned around from the kitchen, I clocked the TV and thought for several minutes that Celine was just a really glam dodgy plumber.

It gets better. Without a word of a lie, we cut to Grimshaw sitting in a fur chair shooting the breeze with Celine — who’s sitting in a matching fur chair.

And when Trace asked Celine how she’s doing following the death of her husband who lost a lengthy battle with cancer three years ago, Celine cut her off and started singing the lyrics from her own song as a response.

Seriously. More people need to be talking about this.

Twitter and Facebook: @hellojamesweir

They’re literally in matching fur chairs.