“I got the arse”: Tony Jones awkward Today show send off
Two members of the Today show have bid farewell to the show this week, however one goodbye appeared to be pretty awkward in comparison to the other.
Sports reporter Tony Jones and Sonia Kruger both waved goodbye on Friday’s episode, however it was Kruger who received a five-minute farewell with a highlights package and emotional hug from Today host Deb Knight.
As for Jones, he appeared via video link for his last day on Today, to interview boxer Danny Green, and told viewers during his final farewell that he “got the arse.”
Jones sat slumped back in mock exhaustion in the corner of the boxing ring when he crossed live to the studio, and made a joke about the morning show’s difficult year.
“It’s been a long year. Let me tell you. I feel like I’ve gone 15 rounds, I’m on the ropes, and despite what they say, I’m in your corner,” he said.
The next time the team crossed over to the sports reporter again, he was hamming it up which resulted in entertainment report Brooke Boney to ask: “Are you drunk TJ? Look at you – the way you are standing?”
Jones’ replied he was very ready to wrap up his final episode, and even joked he imagined the headlines Boney’s question could elicit would be: “‘One last awkward moment as Brooke quizzes surly sports reporter, ‘Are you drunk?’ Anyway. No. I’m just full of life.”
The Today hosts shared a meaningful few words for Jones, telling him: “We cannot let you go TJ without of course marking this as your last day with us here on the Today show. It’s been rich, it has been real.”
After eight fabulous years Sonia is leaving Today. 😫 🥺 #9Today pic.twitter.com/W1V13a0AZk
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) November 14, 2019
Bidding farewell to his colleagues, he said he was “not completely going - obviously I’ll bob up from time to time when there is about eight people calling in sick next year. I look forward to it, and it has been a very, very fun year.”
“Tony, it has been a pleasure. You are one of those people, you always throw to the heart is in the mouth a little bit because where is Tony going to go with this, but that’s one of the great joys of live TV. I reckon you are just about the best live TV performer in Australia. A lot better than me. I can’t get the words out,” Knight said.
Kruger also said goodbye on Friday’s episode, and was even treated to an epic goodbye video which was posted to Twitter by the team.
It is rumoured Kruger’s departure from Nine is due to a “seven figure” deal from Channel 7 after over eight years on Nine.