TV FILES EXPOSED: SHOCK WALKOUTS AND MORE
THE VETERAN STAR CAUSES PANIC FOR TV BOSSES
Still reeling after the disappointment of losing out on the coveted Gold Logie, Tracy Grimshaw is seriously reconsidering her future career plans – and her Nine bosses are frantic.
‘It’s made her question everything – including whether she sticks with the show,’ explains an industry insider.
In fact, Tracy was so blindsided by the snub, New Idea can reveal after seeing secret files, that she took unscheduled leave from her job straight after the award ceremony so she could come to terms with the shock.
She spent a week in selfimposed exile at her Arcadia property, where she dug deep to consider what her next move will be. Meanwhile, her unexpected disappearance from work left network bosses scrambling to find a last-minute replacement for her.
‘Over her career, Tracy has always had a wonderful rapport with the public. But this time they turned their backs on her in favour of someone who hosts a now-defunct game show. You can see why she’s reeling.’
With a love for radio and a long-standing secret pact with Alan Jones to take over his role when he retires from 2GB, Tracy is looking at new opportunities. Unsurprisingly, her bosses are now pulling out all the stops to keep her.
It couldn’t come at a worse time for the struggling network, which has had a turbulent year with Lisa Wilkinson’s shock exit and Karl Stefanovic’s embarrassing antics. As a result, Nine execs are scrambling to keep their remaining stars happy and halt plummeting ratings.
There are also dramas at Network Ten. Lisa Wilkinson’s arrival on The Project caused much-publicised tension among her co-presenters, while management are still trying to fix the backlash after being left red-faced by Grant Denyer’s Gold Logie win.
‘Nine and Ten are at war,’ explains the industry insider. ‘It’s become a hotbed for poaching, everyone is turning on each other and it’s anyone’s guess as to who will come out on top. The gloves are off.’
While Channel Nine is attempting to appease Tracy, 58, by giving her more control over her Today segments, they’re also preparing for the worst.
‘Of course they are worried she will walk out. When it comes down to it though, any decision about Tracy’s future will be left to Tracy.’
LISA HEADS BACK TO NINE
She was recently spotted on Australian Ninja Warrior, cheering on her son Louis from the sidelines, but Lisa’s brief return to her old network may well become permanent. ‘Nine were chuffed when she agreed to come back and saw it as a great opportunity to try and woo her,’ says an insider. ‘Of course they regret letting her go and they think she could help win back viewers with a place on the management team.’ Unlike The Project, which is Melbourne-based, the offer is tempting Sydney-dwelling Lisa. ‘She doesn’t want to be flying interstate or even further every week just to go to work.’
WILL KARL QUIT?
After admitting he’s seriously thought about leaving his breakfast television role, Karl is now contemplating a life-changing move: he’s considering leaving the industry altogether! Despite saying he has ‘years left on my contract,’ Karl has admitted he’s had enough of the public scrutiny surrounding his private life and, with his new Nine contract yet to be finalised, the high-profile presenter is thinking about a drastic measure. ‘Karl’s got a lot of mates in high places,’ says the insider. ‘With the backing of businessman James Packer and long-time support from Russell Crowe he is seriously looking at relocating to the US.’
GRANT’S READY FOR TV RETURN
Still flying high after his Gold Logie triumph, Grant Denyer has his eyes firmly set on a big ticket return to television. Last week his 2DAYFM bosses were in shock as it was revealed that his long beleaguered breakfast show – which he co-hosts with Em Rusciano and Ed Kavalee – had a massive ratings slump. This came soon after Grant’s refusal to deny reports of ‘in-fighting’ among the three presenters.
ITA’S ULTIMATE REVENGE
Ita Buttrose surprised viewers this week by turning up at Channel Nine to fill in for Sonia Kruger, weeks after departing Studio 10. ‘If Ita doesn’t get a permanent gig on Today Extra it’s unlikely to be the last we see of her,’ says our insider.