Karl Stefanovic has been accused of ruining Channel 9’s credibility due to his new venture, which has become his biggest priority outside his Today show commitments.
It’s only been a few months since the TV star waded into the podcast world with his namesake show, and he’s done more than 50 episodes covering a range of topics close to his heart.
But the guests whom he’s invited have raised a few eyebrows as they typically land on the right side of politics, including Pauline Hanson, Matt Canavan, Gerard Rennick, Barnaby Joyce, Clive Palmer, Jacinta Price, Tony Abbott, and Bob Katter.
The only politician on the left has been Anthony Albanese.
Media commentator Andrew Mercado told Yahoo Lifestyle that going down the right-wing rabbit hole could have greater implications.
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“If he keeps doing that podcast with right-wing figures, he is actually damaging the credibility of [Today],” he said.
“You need to be seen as being neutral.
“Whether or not he’s a right-winger or whether or not he’s realised that he can make more money interviewing right-wing figures, that podcast is positioning him as the Joe Rogan of Australia, or Joe Bogan, and that’s not a good look when you’re supposed to be a neutral host on the Today show.”
Andrew said there’s “always” money to be made in “whipping up” the right-wing crowd but found it a “shame” Karl appeared to be leaning that way.
Andrew Mercado said Karl Stefanovic could ruin the Today show’s credibility if he keeps interviewing right-wing guests on his podcast.
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Karl’s U-turn on COVID and apologises to controversial figures
In addition to politicians, Karl has welcomed a range of well-known Aussies to discuss their lives and views on the country at the moment.
He’s had controversial surgeon Charlie Teo, chef Curtis Stone, shock jock Kyle Sandilands, an economist to discuss the budget, farmers, Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and iconic NRL coach Michael Maguire.
His latest guest was disgraced former My Kitchen Rules judge Pete Evans.
Some of Karl’s listeners called it “gross” and “disappointing” to have someone like Pete on his show.
They discussed the cookbook author and chef’s “character assassination” during COVID, and Karl personally apologised for contributing to the pile-on.
In addition to peddling COVID misinformation, Pete was also fined thousands of dollars for selling a $15,000 Biocharger device that claimed to address the virus; he was dropped by his book publisher for sharing an image on social media that included a symbol used by neo-Nazis, and he also encouraged people to stare into the sun without protection.
During their chat, the Channel 9 star spoke about his regrets in pushing the vaccine during the height of the pandemic.
“I got it wrong. I personally believe I got it wrong,” he told Pete.
“I can’t speak for everyone else out there, but legitimately I feel that I got it wrong.”
This isn’t the first time he’s expressed this sentiment on his podcast, as he told Senator Gerard Rennick he was sorry for “not questioning the science” and “not questioning the government mandates” more.
Senator Rennick was criticised during the pandemic for “spreading misinformation and Covid-19 conspiracy theories”, according to the Australian Press Council.
How does Channel 9 feel about Karl’s podcast?
Yahoo Lifestyle understands that Channel 9 views Karl’s podcast as separate from its own editorial policies and standards, and that the 51-year-old is free to speak about whatever he likes on his own show.
Karl’s Channel 9 contract, which is rumoured to be worth at least $2 million, is set to expire at the end of the year.
He recently announced he’d be doing a weekly radio show with Eddie McGuire, which will also be hosted on Nine’s 9Now streaming service and Stan.
Karl has been running his own podcast since January and has racked up more than 50 episodes.
But there has been a lot of speculation that Karl could soon leave Today after more than two decades.
Andrew, who has worked in the media industry for decades and is a TV historian, said it would take something massive for Channel 9 to rip up Karl’s contract early.
“They’d probably want to keep him as long as they could,” he told Yahoo Lifestyle.
“But his podcast ultimately could damage that show. And if they start getting the feeling that what he’s doing in his private time is affecting the show, they will act.”
Considering Karl has whipped up more than 50 episodes of his podcast since late January, he could have 50 more controversial guests or hot takes over the coming months to test Channel 9’s patience.
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