Channel Nine’s search for Karl Stefanovic’s successor appears to have hit an early hurdle.
Viewers delivered a brutal verdict on guest presenter Michael Willesee Jr. after his first outing in the Today co-host chair on Monday – which included speaking about having Russian authors on his bookshelf at home, such as philosopher Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Willesee Jr., who is married to A Current Affair host Ally Langdon, stepped in alongside Sylvia Jeffreys on Monday as Nine trials potential presenters following Karl’s departure and Sarah Abo’s early maternity leave.
Within minutes of the broadcast beginning, social media erupted with criticism, with some viewers questioning the veteran journalist’s suitability for breakfast television.
‘No no no – I just can’t… Anyone in the producer’s chair heard of screen tests BEFORE putting people in the lead chair?’ one viewer wrote.
‘You have a long list of charismatic and engaging male presenters to choose from to cycle through the chair, so what have you done? Have you just given up?’
Channel Nine’s search for Karl Stefanovic’s successor appears to have hit an early hurdle. Viewers delivered a brutal verdict on guest presenter Michael Willesee Jr. after his first outing in the Today co-host chair on Monday. Pictured with co-host Sylvia Jeffreys
They added: ‘2 mins in and I’m done, next please…’
Another viewer didn’t hold back, writing: ‘Where the F did they get the new guy from? Feel like I’m watching SBS haha.’
A third compared the presenter to a funeral director, posting: ‘Who put the mortician in charge of the show? zzzzzzzzzzzz.’
Others admitted they were already switching channels.
‘Who’s the new bloke? Not working for me,’ one viewer commented.
‘Officially made the switch to Sunrise now,’ another declared.
A further viewer added: ‘Who is this new guy… omg I just can’t.’
The reaction comes as Nine continues testing various combinations in the wake of major changes to its breakfast line-up.
Viewers didn’t hold back, with one writing: ‘Where the F did they get the new guy from? Feel like I’m watching SBS haha’
Willesee Jr. spent almost 11 years at Sky News Australia between 2003 and 2014 and has also worked on both the Australian and US editions of A Current Affair. He is pictured here with his wife Allison Langdon
With Karl no longer at the helm and Sarah beginning maternity leave earlier than expected following a health scare, executives are searching for the right chemistry to front the flagship breakfast program.
Willesee Jr. certainly brings extensive television experience to the role.
He spent almost 11 years at Sky News Australia between 2003 and 2014 and has also worked on both the Australian and US editions of A Current Affair. He has filed reports for Nine News Australia throughout his career.
The respected journalist also comes from one of Australia’s best-known broadcasting families.
His late father, Mike Willesee, was one of the country’s most acclaimed television journalists, enjoying an illustrious career across the ABC, Seven and Nine.
Meanwhile, Sylvia has been floated as one possible long-term replacement for Sarah after stepping into the co-host role almost two weeks ago.
However, news.com.au has reported that Today newsreader Jayne Azzopardi is considered the frontrunner internally, with Nine insiders claiming executives are weighing up salary considerations and on-air dynamics.
According to The Daily Telegraph, former Sunrise star Samantha Armytage has also emerged as a potential contender, with the publication reporting Nine is considering another all-female hosting line-up alongside Sylvia.
The network previously experimented with two female co-hosts in 2018 when Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner fronted Today, although that format lasted just one year.
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