Karl Stefanovic takes a dig at Allison Langdon for leaving Today to host A Current Affair

Karl Stefanovic has taken a cheeky jab at his co-host Allison Langdon for leaving the Today show to host A Current Affair.

Nine confirmed on Sunday that Langdon, 43, will be stepping down from her co-hosting role on Today to replace outgoing ACA host Tracy Grimshaw, 62.

Stefanovic, 48, wasted no time discussing the big news on Monday’s broadcast and opened the show by singing along to The Beach Boys’ song Kokomo: “She’s going to sea when she goes to ACE!”

All of them Alison Langdon, the new host of A Current Affair, of course. Congratulations, Ally,” he declared, turning to Langdon.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d do this morning. I knew it would be something,” Langdon beamed.

“I worked on that all weekend,” Stefanovic joked, as Langdon mused, “I saw it. The production value had your name all over it!’

Stefanovic seemed taken aback by her sassy response, responding, “That’s all the production value of the ‘Today’ show is. Is that part of the reason you moved on?”

Blushing, Langdon assured Stefanovic, “I’m excited but bittersweet to leave the morning team, which is great.”

However, Stefanovic couldn’t resist one more go to his co-host as he announced, “We’ve got a big week planned for you” before turning to Langdon and exclaiming, “Don’t go anywhere, not like you can how then.’

During Monday’s broadcast, he made several other digs at his co-host, including announcing an interview with Langdon’s replacement Sarah Abo, 35.

‘Down with the old. In with the new,’ he said wryly.

“Say hello to the Today Show 2023 team, Ally’s brilliant replacement will join us on the bench a little later,” Stefanovic added.

Langdon is officially leaving the Today show to host A Current Affair in the new year, following the shock departure of Tracy Grimshaw.

On Sunday, Channel Nine revealed that 60 Minutes reporter Sarah Abo will step in to fill Langdon’s spot alongside Stefanovic as Today’s new co-host.

“I am thrilled to be part of Today’s amazing and hard-working team who manage to inform the nation every morning while having a lot of fun at the same time,” Sarah, 35, said in a press release.

“I have been incredibly fortunate to work with some of the best journalists in the country at 60 Minutes and travel across the country and the world bringing stories to the Australian public,” she continued.

“It is an absolute privilege to meet so many inspiring people and help tell their stories. I can’t wait to apply everything I learned from those great experiences in my new role at Today.

“The 3 a.m. alarm clock will be an adjustment, but I’m looking forward to keeping Karl on his toes. I know Ally will make the move to ACA a success and I can’t wait to see her in the chair.”

She will join the Today Show team of Karl Stefanovic, Alex Cullen, Brooke Boney and Tim Davies on Monday, January 16, 2023.

Sarah has become a familiar face on the top rated breakfast show and has recently filled in for Allison several times.

Stefanovic said that while he will “miss” his former co-star Langdon, he is excited to be working with Abo.

“Ally has been extraordinary for the past three years,” he said in a press release on Sunday.

Fighting through some tough personal physical obstacles to broadcast to the country in really tough times. She is an incredible announcer and I will miss working with her immensely. But I won’t miss her dancing,” he joked.

‘Fortunately, Sarah is a gifted dancer and singer. More importantly, she is a brilliant interviewer and has a great sense of humour. I can’t wait for the country to see all those wonderful qualities at breakfast every day.”

Nine’s director of Morning Television, Steven Burling, called Abo’s nomination “a huge coup for today.”

Adding: “Sarah has been outstanding in the Today hosting chair for the past 12 months when she filled in for Ally.

‘Sarah’s reputation precedes her; she’s a compelling interviewer and journalist, as we’ve seen, not only on 60 Minutes, but also during her time on SBS and Ten.

Professionally, she is at the top of her game and, just as importantly, Sarah is an amazing person who will help lead Today to continued success in 2023. We are lucky to have Sarah on our team.”

Sarah began her career with Network Ten, spending two years in the Adelaide newsroom before returning to Melbourne and joining SBS in 2013 as a journalist and presenter.

She has covered major international events, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the 2015 Paris climate conference, the 2016 US presidential election and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, and the 2017-2018 refugee crisis in Lebanon, Turkey and Greece.

Since joining 60 Minutes in 2019, Sarah has covered major investigations and interviewed former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed. Suhail Shaheen, the most powerful Taliban leaders.

Sarah was born in Damascus, Syria and moved to Australia with her family when she was four.

Sarah is a Melbournian at heart and will depart from Sydney for the Today show.

Langdon will take on the coveted role on A Current Affair in the new year, after longtime host Tracy Grimshaw stepped down in September.