Over 24? You Might Be Too Old to Listen to Triple J, Apparently

Don't recognise those faces? OK, not-even-a-boomer.

Twitter was set, well, atwitter this morning when former Triple J presenter and current Double J Mornings host Zan Rowe gently suggested the national youth broadcaster was not for all ages.

It followed the recent exodus of Triple J staff, including Breakfast hosts Ben (Harvey) and Liam (Stapleton), Mornings presenter Linda Marigliano, Lunchtime host Gen Fricker and Hack mainstay Tom Tilley.

On social media, listeners lamented the changing of the guard (even though it now means Coda Conduct frontwomen Sally Coleman and Erica Mallett, pictured above, get to take over Breakfast in 2020).

That shit time of year when people you grew up with announce they’re leaving @triplej WHY DOES IT NEVER GET EASIER 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️

— Illy (@illyal) November 19, 2019

omg noooo😭😭😭 you will be missed like crazy 🥺♥️ all the best for the future. You’ll always have a little home in the hearts of all triple j listeners 🧡

— m (@nbtmatea) November 19, 2019

good to see the unofficial triple j fans fb group being extremely normal about the recently announced departures of some hosts pic.twitter.com/swJCoippt5

— CAMWILSON 👋 (@cameronwilson) November 19, 2019

So, Rowe entered the fray with a recommendation, explaining that Triple J is intended for the yoof, as per the official ABC charter.

Feeling like all the presenters who you grew up with are leaving triple j? I get it.

triple j is a youth station. Our very existence is about renewal. Constantly aiming to entertain and inform 18-24 year old Australians.

Older than that? @DoubleJRadio is tailor made for you.

— Zan Rowe (@zanrowe) November 19, 2019

And though it’s hard to disagree with her description of Triple J as a "youth station"—or the fact that Double J has plenty to offer all kinds of listeners—Twitter found enough reason to challenge Rowe’s argument.

I say this respectfully and with the utmost love and support for triple j but you can’t claim to be a youth radio station with a culture of renewal when you’ve had 3 music directors in 44 years, 2 of them in their 50s, all of them men

— Darren Levin (@darren_levin) November 19, 2019

Sorry Zan, I have to disagree- I'm 60 and have listened to Triple J since its inception, and still listen today. Double J is ok, but I don't always want to hear music from my youth - I'm not ready to succumb to "Ok boomer"ism yet 🎶🥁

— Amanda Shepherd (@suemanda007) November 19, 2019

I’m 44, I’ve been listening to JJJ since I was 15. I don’t think I’m ready to switch yet 😁

— Tim Oakes (@TimOakes3) November 19, 2019

Old me and my old husband still love Triple J, soz Zan 🤘

— :: alison b :: (@bostonicus) November 19, 2019

The validity of all those takes aside, this existential panic is nothing new for long-time listeners of Triple J, who have had to reckon with their fave presenters abandoning them throughout the decades. For many in Australia, the moment "your" Triple J hosts leave might be when you first truly understand mortality.

Witness the panic below.

just found out linda and gen are leaving triple j and it’s official:

i’m old

— jas (@jasminkait) November 19, 2019

Oh yeah 100%. Nothing against the current presenters, just don't quite have the same nostalgic effect! This is what getting old feels like

— Jordan Beaumont (@Beauy420) November 18, 2019

Try being my age then! At the age of 41 Triple J has not been the same for me since @Wil_Anderson and @adambspencer left....getting old sucks!

— cindy ackerley (@cinoy2310) November 19, 2019

I’m that old I’m ready for Single J

— The Great CornJulio (@leithhawkins) November 19, 2019

Of course, if you're still in the key demo, you can look forward to Lucy Smith taking over from Linda Marigliano, Dave Woodhead stepping in at Lunchtime, and Avani Dias becoming the full-time host of Hack. Bryce Mills will also take on Sally and Erica's former Weekend Arvos stint.

Everyone else, this is you right now:

Header Image: Triple J