Aussies label Today show’s new panel ‘boring’ and ‘awkward’

Australians have expressed their dislike in the Today show’s new panel of presenters, labelling the team “boring” and “awkward”.

A flurry of annoyed viewers took to social media on Monday to share their thoughts on the Channel Nine morning program’s newly revealed lineup, and they weren’t happy.

A shocking amount of people claimed they no longer want to watch the show after the likes of Karl Stefanovic, his brother Peter, sister-in-law Sylvia Jeffreys and sports presenter Tim Gilbert bid the program farewell.

They weren’t too pleased with the new team which includes Georgie Gardner, Deborah Knight,  Brooke Boney and Tony Jones.

“This once dedicated viewer has switched to seven! Boring personalities! How to fix what wasn’t broken!” one outraged person wrote on the Today show’s Facebook.

“The new team is terrible. Hopefully Channel Nine read the feedback and sort it out. Scrap the lot and start fresh,” another added.

While a third said: “Channel Nine shot themselves in the foot… should not be political… should be entertaining… and it’s not!”

However, there were some positive comments, with a handful of people backing the new team and showing their support for the presenters who have only just stepped into the new positions.

“Everyone looks great and doing a great job, love the new line up… people don’t like change in all walks of life… so ignore the negativity,” one person commented.

Another wrote: “About time… breath of fresh air, well and truely overdue for a change!”

The criticism comes just days after Georgie Gardner and her new co-host Deborah Knight uploaded a series of photos on set and in Melbourne together as they prepared to film their first scenes on the new panel – covering the 2019 Australian Open.

Georgie once again dressed to impress for the event as she was pictured in a pinstriped brown and cream shirt-dress with her hair falling straight around her face.

https://twitter.com/matty_russell/status/1084047274643140608

Meanwhile, Deborah went for a more casual look in blue jeans and a pink and purple patterned top, flashing a beaming smile next to her new co-host after she replaced Karl Stefanovic on the show.

The show’s producer Matthew Riley shared a photo of them both together on set, writing: “The all NEW @TheTodayShow starts Monday 5.30 on @Channel9 @GeorgieG @deborah_knight @tomsteinfort #9Today.”

And just hours before that, Deborah herself shared a selfie of the pair on Instagram, writing: “Gearing up for the @thetodayshow at the #ausopen. How good is #melbourne!!!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BshZawZBpVs/?utm_source=ig_embed

She followed it with one of her looking completely at ease as she posed on a tennis court as if ready to play a little of the sport herself ahead of the professionals hitting the court in this year’s Open.

Read more: Glam Georgie Gardner poses with new Today host Deborah Knight ahead of debut

But while she appeared over the moon with her new position, Deborah admitted in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald that she may have proved a “disappointing” choice as host to some news outlets, as she’s unlikely to offer any drama.

Deborah lives quietly with husband of 20 years Lindsay Dunbar and their three children Darcy, Elsa and Audrey, and added that she likes to stay out of gossip and drama.

“The gossip pages were, perhaps, disappointed I got the role,” she said. “I don’t have that interesting a life; I am a mum, I do the school run, I have young kids. My husband and I are pretty stable. We offer a pretty normal existence.”

What are your thoughts on the Today show’s new lineup of presenters?