hi Scott, the popularity of these sorts of shows is heavily dependent on who's fronting them.
i never saw Patricia Karvellas in the hot seat because in the place i stay in Australia we don't have a TV. but there'a no doubt she is a formidable operator if not everyone's cup of tea. Ditto Hamish McDonald..
it was always going to be a huge challenge for the ABC to fill the shoes of the redoubtable Tony Jones. He was in a class all of his own. Presenters of his high calibre come along rarely. It's no wonder everyone speaks so highly of him.
