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Christiane Amanpour’s This Week Debut: Different Host, Exact Same Show

by Glynnis MacNicol | 12:17 pm, August 1st, 2010

» 26 comments

Christiane Amanpour made her much-anticipated debut as host of This Week this morning. Other than her presence it was difficult to find anything else about the show that was different.

While it goes without saying that Amanpour is one of the most recognizable and well-respected names in television reporting, much of the anticipation in regards to her takeover of ABC’s long-running Sunday show was a direct result of the impressive mark Jake Tapper managed to leave during his temporary takeover of hosting duties. In a relatively short period of time he managed to make the show entirely his own, and develop a loyal following to boot. By the end of his tenure there was more than a little speculation that ABC had made a mistake by going outside their own newsroom to land a new host, and that Amanpour, a giant in the journalism world, suddenly had some very big shoes to fill.

It should be noted perhaps that Tapper’s major influence on This Week — most notably the live-tweeting, Politifact checking, livelier more diverse roundtables — were all introduced after Amanpour’s hire was announced and as such not part of the consideration process. Up until that point the anchor chair had featured a revolving array of familiar ABC faces, though Tapper was by far the strongest.

When ABC hired Amanpour they made quite a lot of noise about the different perspective she would bring to the show. They particularly focused on the international aspect of her reporting career and highlighted again and again that this was something the show would focus on, and also something that would differentiate it from other Sunday shows (another thing that will differentiate it is the fact she is a woman, something too long lacking in the Sunday chair carousel). Earlier this week, via Twitter, news that Ahmed Rashid would be a roundtable guest seemingly backing up this new international plan.

However what was most striking about the show this morning was how little had changed. In fact it was hard not to get the sense that Amanpour was merely filling in for Tapper. Smartly Amanpour has chosen to keep the live-tweeting and Politifact-checking. She also retained the Sunday funnies (something that long predates Tapper). And with the exception of Rashid, who participated remotely, her roundtable could not have featured a stronger array of usual suspects: George Will, Paul Krugman, Donna Brazile. This is not a complaint, mind you, just an observation. If nothing else the roundtable seemed more subdued — I feel like Amanpour’s dignified presence may keep the liveliness to a minimum.

Obviously, this is only her first show. It’s also August 1, which suggests ABC is interested in giving her some time to get the hang of things. Moreover, Amanpour is a pro and it would be both silly and short-sighted to dismiss her this early on. However, as much as I enjoyed Tapper (which was a lot) and as happy as I am to see the stronger features he brought to the show remain intact, it’s hard not to get the sense that Amanpour missed an opportunity here to make a strong first impression and try out some brand new ideas unique to her. As it stands this still feels very much like Tapper’s show. And if that continues to be the case a lot of people may begin wondering why the switch was necessary in the first place.

Ahmed Rashid, Christiane Amanpour, Donna Brazile, George Will, Jake Tapper, Paul Krugman, This Week

http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

We want Jake back .
Patrick Henry

Apostrophe jones said:
We want Jake back .

I agree.
lonestar77

If by same show, you mean a continued imbalance in the panel of more more lefties than righties, you’re correct. In the end, Amanpour will be a disaster. ABC was moronic in not keeping Tapper in the chair. But, ABC did kill two quotas birds with one stone. Female minority. In the end, that’s what really matters. Forget the fact, that she’s a hard left ideologue and won’t generate the numbers Tapper was able to.
Bootleghaircut

Will wonders ever cease Patrick! We agree again!

Lonestar? You can take your sexist race baiting and sit on it.
news rat

Who says Amanpour didn’t have any influence on the show over the past few months? Maybe the Twitter stuff and the fact checking were her or EP’s ideas tailored for the future development of the show, but presented during Tapper’s tenure so they can see the reaction before Amanpour takes over.

Just a possibility, even if its a vague one.
Azarkhan

“it goes without saying that Amanpour is one of the most recognizable and well-respected names in television”

Only if you’re a leftist. The rest of us see her for what she is: a propagandizing shill for extreme leftwing politics, and, when the need arises, a liar.
karenkol

Give me my Jake – Amanpour is just another news elitist.
Azarkhan

“In an interview broadcast on the CBS “Sunday Morning” program, Obama gave himself a grade of “incomplete” on the first 18 months of his presidency.”

Last December, with typical humility, he gave himself a B+. Wonder what happened? Maybe reality gave him a kick in the ass.
Bootleghaircut

Azarkhan says:
August 1, 2010 at 1:06 pm Azarkhan(Quote)
3 2
Ahhhh, you caught me. You sho iz purdy bright.”

What’s that dialect again Azarkhan? What are you trying, and failing, to say? Come on now don’t be a pussy; share with the class!
BatBoy

Azarkhan said:
“it goes without saying that Amanpour is one of the most recognizable and well-respected names in television” Only if you’re a leftist. The rest of us see her for what she is: a propagandizing shill for extreme leftwing politics, and, when the need arises, a liar.

The above should have read…. “Amanpouris one of the most recognizable and well-respected names to the CNN Management! To most of the world…well not so fast”

OK maybe I won’t be a writer…thank god for you and me, but you are correct in your assessment…she is just another lefty shill that has come from a network that noone watched!

I predict she will have a tough time of making the show hers. Jake Tapper screwed it up for her by making it his show in such a short time and a reasonably good one at that.

My suggestions; Replace Brazile, Krugman and Will…come up with two conservatives and one liberal (that way it would be 2 on 2)…non of which should come from Washington DC or NYC…quite frankly I am tired of hearing the same thing from all of them.
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

Why not just let Katrina vanden Heuvel or Zsa Zsa Huffington host ? Then it will be completely unwatchable to all but the most rabid , foaming at the mouth , sneering lefty . No offense .
timzank

Glynnis, you say ” Amanpour is one of the most recognizable and well-respected names in television reporting”. May I ask by whom? No snark, seriously….by whom?
murf

Wow , it never ceases to amaze me the salivating love affair Glynnis has with these leftist woman .No Rachel Maddow material to write ?
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

Same show but now we have to put up with that haughty accent. Only if the Scarecrow had that accent he would not have needed a brain.
notsofast

gordonbloyershow said:
Only if the Scarecrow had that accent he would not have needed a brain.

Ouch! Oh, snap!
Big_F-ing_Deal

gordonbloyershow said:
Same show but now we have to put up with that haughty accent.

Shouldn’t you be at the Quran burning in Florida today?
mitchflorida

Jake Tapper wasn’t considered liberal enough for ABC News. That is why he was passed over this time around.
mitchflorida

Amanpour is “well-repected”? By whom? The liberal mainstream media? Even they trashed ABC for selecting her.
susankq

I strongly recommend ______ B l a c k w h i t e C u p i d * C o m ______ to you where I just found my interracial boyfriend! You know it is a great place to meet black men and beautiful women. What’s kind of relationship do you want? ;)
jgriz

Bad move. Don’t like her….too COLD! Bring back Jake.
shootfromthehip

Very good move by ABC. She is a talent and always has been. A real journo.
Michael_T

Among all the fawning over GOP darling Jake Tapper, lets not forget that back in May “This Week” had its lowest ratings since 2006. I believe Glynnis MacNicol’s favorable assessment is blinded by politics.

If I agreed with Tapper’s political leanings, I would probably agree with Glynnis and prefer him over Ms. Amanpour. But the fact is Mr. Tapper’s dour humorless personality probably doomed him from the start.
Michael_T

Apostrophe jones said:
We want Jake back .

Tune into Fox News sometime in 2011 and you may get your wish.

In the corporate world most of the time someone is passed over for a promotion they move on within a year. I submit it is no different in the media world.
Phocus2

Buckle up as This Week begins it’s decent. If I wanted CNN International, I would tune to CNN.

As for the “Different Host, Exact Same Show” line. That only works for articles on Mediaite. Different ‘Journalist’, Exact Same Spin.
jjpeditor

“When ABC hired Amanpour they made quite a lot of noise about the different perspective she would bring to the show.”

How soon before she puts on her burka and interviews Amadinnerjacket?

CA: “Yes, Mahmoud, I understand your concern with Israel, I have been bashing them for years while holding up Islam as the go-to religion for all spiritually challenged marxists!”
ned racine

Jake Tapper did a great job and totally changed my viewing habits from NBC to ABC on sunday mornings. never really realized what a great pro he was until the “this week” gig. MTP’s david gregory is a really poor fit for that job, unfortunately. regarding Amanpour, is it just me or does she sound like she is always lecturing me from a Cambridge podium? maybe for five minute segments i can take her … but for an hour on sunday’s?? no way!! and with MTP now pretty much unwatchable, i guess its bob schieffer … or the NYTimes.