Fans have called for Today show guest hosts Samantha Armytage and Dan Anstey to permanently replace veteran hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo.
The couple have been filling in for Karl and Sarah on the popular Channel Nine breakfast show while the regular hosts enjoy their holidays, and viewers have called for their position to be made permanent.
Fans took to social media to praise Sam and Dan’s upbeat and engaging style, and claimed the show would be better if they became permanent hosts.
‘Sam is great. “I’m watching Today again after a long hiatus,” one fan wrote.
‘Dan, yes! Not Charles! “Sorry Karl,” a second person added.
‘The girls are fantastic! Today he’s back!’ a third user intervened.
Fans have called for Today show guest hosts Samantha Armytage (right) and Dan Anstey (left) to permanently replace presenters Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo.
It was no surprise that Samantha was a natural, as she is a breakfast show veteran and previously co-hosted Channel Seven’s Sunrise alongside David ‘Kochie’ Koch for eight years, from 2013 to 2021.
On Monday, Sam made his first appearance on Channel Nine’s Today Show following his defection from Seven.
The veteran presenter, 48, kicked off the show by sharing a flirtatious exchange with her co-host, Weekend Today meteorologist Dan Anstey.
After introducing herself to viewers, Sam, who recently announced her split from husband Richard Lavender, told Dan she had met him at the Melbourne Cup.
‘I can’t remember that. How was I? asked.
“You were handsome as always,” Sam replied, laughing, before Dan said, “He was a different person.” You confused me with another Dan.
‘Yes, indeed I have. We’ll talk about that later, but it’s nice to see you all here,” Sam responded quickly before presenting the news headlines.
Channel Nine was reportedly plunged into back-to-back crisis meetings following the decision to bring Sam onto the Today show as a summer stand-in co-host.
The pair have been filling in for Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo on the popular Channel Nine breakfast show while the regular hosts enjoy their holidays, and viewers have called for their position to be made permanent. Both in the photo
Viewers have taken to social media to praise Sam and Dan’s upbeat and engaging style, and claim the show would be better if they became permanent hosts.
The chain’s move has also sparked outrage among longtime staff, with insiders alleging the decision has created tension behind the scenes and left many feeling snubbed.
While Nine insists the move is purely seasonal, speculation is rife that it could be a test to see if Samantha is the right person to join Today permanently.
The consequences of the decision have been significant.
“There have been back-to-back crisis meetings since Sam signed,” a source told Women’s Day earlier this month.
“The big bosses didn’t listen to the team when they opposed Sam’s addition.”
Meanwhile, a well-placed source tells Daily Mail Australia that Nine has strategic reasoning behind Sam’s appointment.
“Let’s not pretend this isn’t about ratings,” they said.
‘If Sam can pull Today out of Sunrise’s shadow, even for a week, the network will see it as a victory. For Sam, it’s about proving she’s still the queen of breakfast TV.”
A major source of resentment towards its new network is the perception that Nine’s existing talent has been overlooked.
Many insiders were reportedly surprised by Sam’s signing, particularly after she was chosen to host The Golden Bachelor, despite others at the network vying for the role.