Hasn’t been filmed in Melbourne for more than 10 years 
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Part of me would like to see Tara Brown get the gig. Following in the footsteps of Jana.
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From Nine:
Tracy Grimshaw steps down from A Current Affair
After a stellar career that spans more than 40 years, tonight Tracy Grimshaw announced she will be stepping down from presenting A Current Affair at the end of this year after 17 years in the hosting chair.
The Walkley Award-winning journalist started out as a reporter in the Channel 9 Melbourne newsroom in 1981 and began presenting 9News daytime bulletins from 1985. In 1995, she joined the revamped Midday Show as co-host with David Reyne.
Grimshaw became co-host of Today with Steve Liebmann in 1996, a role she held for nine years. The following year she hosted the 9Network’s marathon live coverage of the miraculous rescue at Thredbo of Stuart Diver, and a month later she hosted Channel 9’s continuous coverage on the death of Princess Diana.
During her time on Today she interviewed world leaders, movie stars, sports stars and everyday people in the news, presenting from locations around the world.
On January 30, 2006 she began presenting A Current Affair. That year she covered the unbelievable story of human courage and survival with the rescue of the two miners in Beaconsfield, Brant Webb and Todd Russell.
In 2009, she was awarded the Walkley Award for Broadcast and Online interviewing, a testament to a television journalism career during which she has consistently been one of Australia’s most respected and versatile journalists.
On the show tonight Tracy said: “Normally right about now we’d be telling you what to expect tomorrow night but lately I’ve personally been thinking longer term, and I have some news that I wanted you to hear from me before you hear it from anyone else.
“I’ve decided to finish up with A Current Affair this year.
“It’s been a big decision and before the gossip websites start telling you rubbish, I want you to know it’s been my decision alone and I’m not being shoved out the door by the boys club because I’m too old.
“I’m not too old, I’m just a bit tired. And for the record both the boys and the girls have asked me to stay.
“But I’ve basically been a shift worker for 26 years, driving to work before dawn for 9 years on the Today Show, and the past 17 years driving home after dark here on A Current Affair and it’s time for less of that daily obligation.
“It’s been my privilege to host this show.
“I was just a kid in 1971 when Mike Willesee started it and in our family it was required viewing each night as Michael either forensically dismantled some politician or maybe laughed along with Hoges.
“Back then, I was going to be a vet or a flight attendant so if you’d told me that one day I’d sit in this chair, let alone occupy it for 17 years, I’d have thought you were mad. Well lucky me.
“You’ve let me indulge my love of interviewing here. I’ve talked to people who’ve made us all laugh and cry, who’ve shared their triumphs and their challenges and their wisdom and despair.
“And because it’s your show not mine and you get to vote each night with your remote control, you told us you wanted more of that. So thank you for that opportunity.
“Thank you for your loyalty. I hope I’ve repaid it. I’m around until November then I’m going to take a long holiday, but it’s business as usual until then. See you tomorrow night.”
Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs, Darren Wick, said: “Tracy Grimshaw is an inspiration to us at Nine.
“She is the best interviewer on television and has been for many years. And she will forever take her place alongside the greatest interviewers that Australian journalism has ever seen.
“Tracy is stepping away from A Current Affair at the peak of her powers. That generates mixed feelings of joy and sadness for those among us who have known her for many years.
“Joy, because Tracy has decided now is the perfect time to leave the program. She is doing it on her own terms on her own timetable. Just as she has done throughout her whole career.
“And sadness because she is irreplaceable. I know we work in an industry where it’s often said that anyone can be replaced. But that’s not true with Trace. She is one of a kind. She cares about her colleagues and she cares about her viewers.
“We love her. We admire her. And we will miss her nightly on our screens.”
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Who I want and who I think is going to get it are too very different things. You have look at the history of hosts- Willesee, Wendt, Munro, Martin and Grimshaw. All recognisable. There are only a handful of household names left these days. Also given Tracy’s tag of “best interviewer” is used to sell the show, they are going to want to find someone with similar credentials. If you don’t fit this criteria, you’d be too much of a risk.
I can’t see it being any other way than Karl to ACA and Deb retaining her tv/radio arrangement. This is the plum prime time gig he has wanted for over a decade. It won’t go down well if he misses his opportunity. If Peter Ford is right about Nine knowing Tracy has wanted to bow out for a year, we now have some insight too into why Charles Croucher was suddenly brought in to Today on weekends.
Ridiculous column in the SMH today suggesting Tom Steinfort is a ‘potential front runner’ whilst dismissing other more likely contenders. I assume he’s a mate of Toms lol
I don’t think that is aligned IMO. I don’t think he’s ready for the weekday gig.
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Alicia Loxley a smokey for the gig?
Something I personally can’t stand is when TV networks throw their talent into the deep end too soon, I would have to disagree with Charles however. He’s performed roles on Today and Weekend Today various times over the last few years, so audiences are familiar with him and from what I’ve seen, are fond of him. If he comes into Today, and Karl is sent to ACA, I’m happy with that.
Compare him (Charles) to someone like Tom Steinford, who in my opinion isn’t suited for the 5 day a week, continuous nightly role, look at his performance on Today during the horrific year that was 2019, I don’t believe he was competent enough in that role, yet is performing well on 60 Minutes where he’s winning accolades, he should stay there. Someone like Charles on Today will work, but he needs to be worked in appropriately, similar to how Sarah Abo hosted Today, today. Her work in the non-ratings season over summer has formed a relationship with the audience and she’s now the number one choice for fill-in work, and they have to fly her in for that!
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I rate this. Tara’s 60 Minute stories that feature long, sit down interviews give me a Tracy vibe, which I’m sure 9 would like to emulate with a new host. That, and it follows the traditional pattern of a 60m host moving to ACA. That would also open up the door for Karl to move to 60, Charles from weekends to weekdays, and leaves Tracy open to be a network correspondent across all programs whenever needed.
Even if it isn’t Tara, Sarah Abo, Karl, or Sylvia that get ACA, I suspect we will see a shuffling of the deck chairs on more than one program. I get the feeling Tracy’s departure will be a cue for a bit of a network shuffle.
I’d also love to see Sarah Harris move back to 9. I could see Ally and Alex hosting with Sarah on news, or Alex staying on news and Sarah cohosting. So many options!
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Karl would sometimes fill-in for Tracey if she was unavailable.
Dimity Clancey - not seen as a front runner but should be
David Campbell is more likely to become weekday Today host more than Charles
I would like to see Sylvia take the role and have Belinda and DC on Today Extra
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There are two paths they can go down.
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Give it to an established presenter to keep them happy (such as Karl, Sylvia, Deb etc.).
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Give it to a less experienced presenter to take their career to the next level (such as one of the reporters on the show currently, a young journalist in one of the newsrooms, or even someone like Brooke Boney).
It’s hard to say which path they’d take. Pros and cons to each option.
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I would say option 1. They would want viewers to stay watching with someone already established
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My prediction is that Karl moves to ACA and David Campbell goes to Today. So they’ll need a new Today Extra host.
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Has anyone mentioned Naomi Robson? She did beat Tracy in the ratings.
Too many “predictions” going on with who should host (im guilty of doing that too).
A bold.mpve here - I say move A Current Affair to 6.30 like the good old days, and have Sale of the Century at 7pm. Or realistically have the reality tentpole start at 7pm.
In all honesty, id have someone join who we all know. Karl is good as the main filll in host, but not as a permanent host. Deb Knight would be an ideal host for me.
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They could bring someone in from outside. Here’s a real out of left field suggestion… Jordan Shanks! Bring some real bite to their investigations. 
No, in all seriousness, I would be very surprised if it is not Karl Stefanovic. He’s the best known and (I’d argue) safest option.
Same here, but I think Charles Croucher will get the role for Today. He will probably not be replaced as there is 4 hosts currently on Weekend Today.
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