What's New
BY Sarah Patterson June 29, 2026
What's New June 12, 2026
Fearless. No filter. The Long Weekend with Karl & Eddie makes its debut
Reporter
The Long Weekend has officially launched, with Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire taking over ARN’s GOLD Network nationally this afternoon for the first time with their brand-new Friday show.
The two hosts played to their strengths, with Eddie incorporating a quiz and Karl talking about his tools.
“It’s a quiz show, not a game show,” Eddie corrected Karl in an exchange that also saw Karl talking about the time he now has to spend doing physical work. “I’m on the tools Eddie, not A tool …”
Designed to launch audiences into the weekend, the first new weekly show delivered an energetic take on stories across news, sport and entertainment, alongside music and the pair’s their no-filter conversations.
Today’s first show saw Karl and Eddie discuss the World Cup with former Socceroo Robbie Slater. They also chatted with Aussie basketball superstar Josh Giddey about the NBA playoffs, caught up with former footballer Nick Stone and answered live listener questions.
At 2pm, Karl and Eddie rushed from the studio to the iHeart Arena to present the last hour of the show in front of a live audience of clients, media and staff.
They plan to take the show to venues in the cities were they broadcast and have plans to incorporate live music. The first live performance today was Mark Gable from The Choirboys performing an acoustic version of Run to Paradise.
Stefanovic said of the first show “I’m very excited. I’ve got to tell you, I’ve made my way up from the Today Show. I came into the studio to get all the preparation done, and you’ve done all the research. Fantastic. I was half expecting, even though I’ve never done radio before, a gold microphone. No gold microphone.”
McGuire said “Welcome to the show. Welcome everybody. We love to be part of your Friday afternoon. We’ve got plenty of guests coming up on our first show… We are trying to shine light on this show and give people a voice.”
The Long Weekend airs across the GOLD Network every Friday between 12-3pm and watch via the vodcast on the iHeart app, 9Now and Stan.
Images supplied, video radioinfo
Which radio experts thought this was a good idea.
I wonder how many jumped out not the car expecting to hear Fleetwood Mac or John Farnham and got these blokes instead?
Another win for Smooth FM
So true Mel,
There’s just so much more money to be made from playing REO Speedwagon again versus content from these Scallywags.
Now pop that Porky’s 2 VHS back in the slot, pop your Diadora trackies on, and settle in to your wonderful world of nostalgic entertainment.
Very strange show I thought… felt like they just rammed a couple of political topics to placate Karl Stefanovic while Eddie name dropped… I assume its just a first day thing, at least, I hope…
Oh boy no production values, no producers involved just an absolute shite show. ‘You talk over the top of me then I’ll crash over the top of you’
Bang in a couple of sponsors coming on board to pump your tyres up!
I didn’t listen and I stuck with TripleM and I will not be listening in any time soon. I’m staying with TripleM.
Who is listening to this 12pm on a Friday? What a weird programming decision. This show won’t last. ARN should of just licenced Karl’s podcast.
Good one Mel doesn’t get it.
The Gold audience wants Reo Speedwagon, Cyndi Lauper, Bryan Adams, Abba, Phil Collins, Crowded House etc
If they want to hear blokes talking sports etc they would listen to SEN.
@Mel
Nah Mel. Ya missed ya chance to be smart! The point made was about MONEY not AUDIENCE.
Go back, read again, take ya time.
No cash to be made from REO. Im gonna hazard a guess you don’t really get the business side of the industry.
Bless.
Put the music back on, on Friday afternoon & Sunday morning…get rid of the “The Long Weekend”. What is the point? Too much talking about nothing & not enough music.