Sources Say Stephanopoulos Can’t Keep This Week Gig If He Gets GMA
Last month we reported This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos was the leading contender to get the Good Morning America job opening up as Diane Sawyer takes over on World News.
Now sources tell Mediaite there may be a knot in the plans – Stephanopoulos would have to vacate the This Week job if he takes the GMA anchor spot.
From a purely logistical perspective, this makes sense. If Stephanopoulos were to anchor Monday-Friday for two hours each morning from New York, it would be near impossible to also anchor an hour in D.C. on Sundays. But two sources at ABC News say Stephanopoulos wants to keep the This Week job, as the harder news role continues to make dents in the ratings lead of Sunday morning leader, Meet The Press.
An ABC News spokesperson tells Mediaite, “We’re not going to discuss any speculation about any kind of decision until a decision is made.”
When we discussed potential replacements for Sawyer in September, we gave the best shot to current GMA anchor Chris Cuomo. If staying at This Week becomes a sticking point for Stephanopoulos, it could help Cuomo’s chances.
Of course, if Stephanopoulos leaves and takes the GMA job, that means ABC will be tasked with finding a replacement at This Week as well.
The New York Post reports on another angle to the story – whether Charlie Gibson wanted Sawyer to take over his position:
“He wanted George to get the job,” said one source at the network. “He was shocked when he learned Diane got it, and he was really angry that she stole his thunder. As soon as she was named, it was all about Diane.”
There are denials from both Gibson and a spokesperson in the piece. Also, an ABC News spokesperson tells Mediaite, “It was Charlie’s decision to retire and he respected that any decision about his replacement was David Westin’s to make. He’s delighted that Diane is taking the chair, not just because he respects and admires her but also because he sees it as a sign of the strong commitment the news division is making to World News.”
—–
» Follow Steve Krakauer on Twitter
4 comments
When ABC picked-up Ashleigh Banfield last week, they reportedly told TVNewser that she wasn’t being looked at for the GMA post. But, maybe if Stephanopoulos wanted to forego the relocation and stay in hard news, perhaps she’s in the wings.
[...] Washington Blade relaunches as DC Agenda. Mediaite: George would have to give up This Week for [...]
Whoever gets picked must be squeaky clean. He must also be able to adapt to the victim mentality that often dominates programming on ABC and other major networks. This is a job requirement.
[...] the Good Morning America job opening up as Diane Sawyer takes over on World News. ● More from: Mediaite FOX rolls wrong video, heads may rollFOX has done it again, and this time, once again, FOX says its [...]
- » 5 Best Fashion Moments In Gaga And Beyonce's "Telephone" Video
- » SNL's Toyota Prius Commercial Is Out Of Control
- » Dan Rather Uses "Obama," "Articulate" And "Watermelons" In Same Anecdote
- » Bill O'Reilly: 'Tom Hanks Has Gone Off The Rails'
- » Donald Trump Attacks Gore, Makes Mika Uncomfortable On Morning Joe
Karl Rove: ‘Fox News Is Fairer Than MSNBC’

Karl Rove was on Meet The Press this morning, discussing Fox News' (where he is a political analyst) coverage of the Obama administration. Have they been as fair to the president as other networks? Even more so, claims the former senior adviser to George W. Bush, especially since some news networks "has opinion people...and those same people playing the part of your news delivery...which would not happen at Fox.” Guess which network he was talking about!
Lindsey Graham On WH ‘Spin’: Americans Are “Tired Of This Crap”
Well, regardless of one's position on the current state health care reform, there should be some joy in that its finally coming to an end, evidenced by the pitched rhetoric on both sides of the debate. Earlier today we saw WH Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confident claim of having the votes to pass a bill in the house. And now we see Senator Lindsey Graham present the yin to that yang during an interview with host Jake Tapper on This Week.
More TV headlines:
»Watch: MTV Bans Lady Gaga/Beyonce’s “Telephone,” CNN Reports (Update) »6
»Rep. Boehner On Dem Health Care Bill: Republicans Going To “Make It Difficult, If Not Impossible” To Pass
»You Forgot It Was Daylight Saving Time, Didn’t You? »4
»Michael Lohan Comes Out On The Same Side As Lindsay Lohan’s Lawyers…For Once »2
»SNL’s Toyota Prius Commercial Is Out Of Control »4
© 2010 Mediaite, LLC | About Us | Advertise | Newsletter | Privacy | User Agreement | Disclaimer | Power Grid FAQ | Contact | Archives
| Dan Abrams, Founder
| Hosting by Datagram
|
RSS





















