Hell Yeah, Triple J’s Brooke Boney To Replace Richard Wilkins On ‘TODAY’

The great shake-up at TODAY may have seen the intensely weird Karl Stefanovic binned after a lengthy stint in the anchor’s chair, but the fallout is producing some reasonably interesting results. Chiefly, now-former Triple J newsreader Brooke Boney has officially been tapped by the show to replace long-time entertainment overlord Richard Wilkins.

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Boney is being brought on as the show’s new Entertainment Reporter, taking on the on-screen role Wilkins has held for multiple decades.

Wilkins, it should be noted, isn’t leaving the network altogether; he will remain at Nine in his current position of Entertainment Editor. However his on-screen role is being pared back and will primarily focus on Today Extra, which airs after TODAY at 9am.

In the initial period, Boney will be working with Wilkins behind the scenes as she transitions into an on-camera role on the enduring morning show.

Boney issued a short statement confirming the plum new gig, stating how excited she is to take on the challenge.

I’m really thrilled to be joining the team and so excited to be working alongside Richard Wilkins. He’s such a legend in the business.

It’s such an exciting time to be joining Nine and am looking forward to learn from everyone on the TODAY team. As a young girl growing up in the country I watched TODAY so it’s really awesome to know it’ll be my new home.

Hiring Boney represents the start of a cultural shift at TODAY, making her one of the few indigenous women to regularly appear on Australian commercial TV. At Triple J, Boney began every news bulletin with a greeting in the traditional language of the Gamilaroi people, of whom she hails.

Massive move on the part of Nine, this. An extremely positive shift towards a better good. Hell yeah.

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