Georgie’s ultimatum IT’S ME OR KARL!
Looks like time might be up for the highest paid man on Australian TV
Right about now Karl Stefanovic may be living to regret baiting Georgie Gardner to “step up” because according to trusted sources at Nine, the mother-oftwo has done much more than “sit on the fence” in the wake of the Today anchor’s scandalous Uber-gate comments.
Left publicly humiliated after the extent of Karl and his brother Peter’s backstabbing was revealed in a shocking 45-minute phone call that was sold by an Uber driver to the highest bidder, fiercely proud Georgie has told friends she’s determined not to take Karl and Peter’s humiliating slurs lying down.
And while Karl, 43, is reportedly still walking around set like he’s Nine’s untouchable golden boy, our insider tells us the highest paid man on Australian TV might have had his last laugh.
BIG PROBLEM
“The whole Nine bunker is in damage control,” tells a Nine source. “Word is Georgie told network bosses over last weekend she would not return to the show.
“She said that’s it – she’s ready to walk away from her $1 million deal. But Nine are running scared – they know after copping the fallout of Lisa leaving they absolutely have to make this work. Georgie didn’t ask for this – so they’ve had a complete turnaround and are doing everything to make her happy.
Karl is no longer in the box seat – Georgie has all the power.”
It’s not just behind closed doors that power plays are happening, on set it’s chaos.
“What used to be a happy place is now very tense. The on-air team don’t speak except to discuss what’s coming up – it’s eggshells for sure,” reveals our source, mentioning how Karl’s good buddy, entertainment reporter Richard “Dickie” Wilkins, and Nine bosses also came in for a spray.
“Karl continues to walk around like he’s bulletproof – even Dickie is standoffish with him, but Karl just doesn’t seem to care. “He told a close confidante after the whole Uber debacle he’s not worried about his future – he made it clear he’s the star of the network and they’ve got too much to lose if he goes.”
POWER PLAYS
But while Karl might have done the bare minimum to make amends with 46-year-old Georgie and his former bestie Richard, 63, who has reportedly told friends he’s “done” with Karl and is just “counting down the days until he’s out of his chair”, there is one person Karl is worried about – his brother, Pete, 36.
“Karl’s biggest concern is Pete, who said to Karl that night in the Uber he ‘hated his job’ on Weekend Today and as news reporter. Karl’s telling everyone Pete has taken it hard – and now he fears Nine will likely throw Pete under the bus,” our source tells.
“The reality is Pete is far more replaceable than Karl is.”
But according to our source, Karl – who held a commitment ceremony with fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough just two weeks ago – shouldn’t be so sure his position is completely safe, because Georgie has been making secret deals and Nine is bending over backwards to make her happy.
“Georgie has told the big bosses she wants to front every major news story that normally Karl would’ve been sent to, like the recent bushfires. She knows that will drive Karl crazy because he loves being on the road,” says our source, adding “she’s calling all the shots”.
In fact, our source says in a bid to win back favour with Georgie, Nine’s head honchos have taken her into their confidence, revealing Karl’s exit strategy.
“They plan to wheel Karl out as much as possible for 60 Minutes’ assignments, which will justify his absence from Today, and Ben Fordham will fill in while he’s gone, prepping him to take over in January 2019,” says our source, adding, “Karl will disappear again in November like he did last year – this time for the LA nuptials with Jasmine’s young hip mates, and that will mark the end of Karl’s 13 years as host of Today.
“Georgie has already made it clear she wants to pick and choose the new lineup for 2019, and this time she has the power and she’ll be making sure she’s
getting the last laugh.”