{"id":399169,"date":"2026-04-15T05:13:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T05:13:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/399169\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T05:13:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T05:13:12","slug":"karl-stefanovic-and-lisa-wilkinson-reunite-on-today-show-8-years-after-she-left-channel-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/399169\/","title":{"rendered":"Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson reunite on Today show 8 years after she left Channel 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lisa Wilkinson<\/a> has returned to the Channel 9 program<\/a> she called home for more than 10 years.<\/p>\n

The TV presenter hosted Today between 2007 and 2017 alongside Karl Stefanovic<\/a>, but suddenly resigned due to “contract renewal” issues.<\/p>\n

She jumped ship almost immediately to rival network Ten to co-host The Project<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Eight years after that dramatic twist, Lisa was back to talk about her new book.<\/p>\n

She was all smiles as she sat next to Karl and Today host Sarah Abo<\/a>, but admitted “it was weird” to be back in the building.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

Karl agreed it was “strange”, but called out the incredible history he had with his former co-host.<\/p>\n

“That whole period for me… we obviously had our ups and downs, but we had a lot of ups, and it was a very special period,” he said.<\/p>\n

Sarah also joked that Lisa should “clear her calendar” in August when she goes on maternity leave.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com<\/p>\n

Some of the duo’s best clips were played, including Karl licking a donut from Lisa’s finger, the awkward moment they aggressively played the Nintendo Wii, and the seemingly countless times they were left in stitches over small jokes or comments.<\/p>\n

“Often I would say things to you, and I wouldn’t realise what I was saying until I would see your reaction,” Lisa said.<\/p>\n

Sarah jumped in and said “that still happens today”.<\/p>\n

“He has a way of reacting, doesn’t he, that catches you off guard?”<\/p>\n

The chat then pivoted to Lisa’s new book about the only Australian-born survivor of the Titanic, which has been a three-year passion project.<\/p>\n

\"Karl<\/p>\n

Karl and Lisa played the Nintendo Wii when it was first released and was one of the funniest on-screen moments of the pair. Source: Channel 9<\/p>\n

Why did Lisa Wilkinson leave Today? <\/p>\n

Karl and Lisa were a juggernaut duo in the Australian media landscape during their heyday.<\/p>\n

They were in a constant ratings battle against Channel 7’s David Koch and Melissa Doyle on Sunrise.<\/p>\n

But in October 2017, Lisa left the industry shocked when she revealed she had left the breakfast program.<\/p>\n

“I’m sad to say that today was my last day on the Today Show,” she revealed in a tweet.<\/p>\n

\"Lisa<\/p>\n

Lisa Wilkinson was all smiles as she promoted her new book on the Today show with Karl and Sarah. Source: Channel 9<\/p>\n

Her statement claimed Channel 9 was “unable to meet” her expectations “on a contract renewal for a further period”.<\/p>\n

The network was “disappointed” that she was leaving but wished her well for her next adventure.<\/p>\n

But Nine\u2019s then-chief executive Hugh Marks later clarified rumours about the real reason behind her departure.<\/p>\n

He said Lisa being editor-at-large with The Huffington Post “restricted” Nine’s ability “to engage with her digitally” and on social media.<\/p>\n

“The reason we walked away from Lisa is because we are not able to secure those rights with her,” Hugh said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“It’s not just a pay thing. We want people to partner with us, who are invested and want to go on the journey with us.”<\/p>\n

“I have been a great supporter of women in our business in terms of salary equity and position, when we are discussing on-air talent we assess their contribution beyond just their gender, audience appeal, rights and contribution to the overall business – and not their own brand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went to an incredible amount of trouble to build a $1.8 million package for her. She wanted $2.3 million. It wasn\u2019t a $200,000 shortfall to Karl\u2019s $2 million magic number. It was $500,000.\u201d<\/p>\n

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