The Today Show has addressed the shock departure of former co-host Lisa Wilkinson, with the morning show’s remaining on-air talent wishing the veteran presenter a shedload of love for her next move.
In response to last night’s announcement that Wilkinson had chosen to leave Channel 9’s Today for a gig on Channel Ten’s The Project, Karl Stefanovic spoke with empathy and appreciation for his long-time mate.
“For ten years she handled those brutal, brutal hours with grace, intelligence, and a wicked, wicked sense of humour,” Stefanovic said.
For whatever reason, she won’t be doing that any more, and it was a surprise to us all.
It’s safe to say we’re all a bit shocked, and it’ll take a little while to sink in. So for now, just this, Lisa: thank you.
Thank you for the laughs, the sage advice, the calmness – oh, the calmness – and thank you for all of your support.
Thank you for being a great colleague, thanks for being a great interviewer, thanks for being a great dancer, and a truly truly terrible singer.
Thanks for being a great mum. I know you value more that more than anything else, and thank you for being a great friend.
Sylvia Jeffreys was next, emphasising Wilkinson’s impact over her decade on the show.
“Seeing is believing for young women, young girls,” Jeffreys said.
“And what they see in Lisa is a strong influential fun and compassionate woman at the very top of her game, and that is a very powerful thing.”
“Seeing is believing for young girls and what they see in Lisa is a strong, influential, fun and compassionate woman.” #9Today pic.twitter.com/YQaWEXm6fu
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) October 16, 2017
Wilkinson will appear on The Project and The Weekend Project; before that, you can probably expect her to sleep like a goddamn log.
