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ABC Zeroes In on George
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ABC News President David Westin traveled to Washington Thursday and met with George Stephanopoulos, who has emerged as the heir apparent to Diane Sawyer as host of Good Morning America, Rebecca Dana reports. But Stephanopoulos is also trying to keep his Sunday job.
ABC News President David Westin has zeroed in on This Week host George Stephanopoulos as his preferred choice to succeed Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, according to two sources close to the show.
Westin traveled to Washington yesterday and met with Stephanopoulos, a former Clinton aide, about the job. Said one source: “It’s George’s now to lose.”
An ABC News spokesperson said, “We’re working toward a decision and are right where we hope to be in the process. Any speculation about a decision is just that, speculation.”
If Stephanopoulos isn’t able to hold on to This Week, ABC senior White House correspondent Jake Tapper and Nightline co-anchor Terry Moran are seen as inside favorites to replace him.
While in Washington, Westin presented Stephanopoulos with a surprise award from the International Center of Foreign Journalists.
Stephanopoulos has been seen as the lead candidate for the job. Other possible options for the time slot have been floated, including giving it over to ABC’s entertainment division or bringing in a less conventional host like Kelly Ripa or soap star Cameron Mathison. But Westin’s trip to Washington signals that the deal is near done, and sources at the network expect an announcement within the week.
One potential sticking point in the negotiations is the future of This Week, ABC’s perennial second-place Sunday show. One source close to the anchor said Stephanopoulos is hoping to remain at the helm of that show, too—perhaps as a kind of fall-back in case things don’t work out at GMA.
If Stephanopoulos isn’t able to hold on to This Week, ABC senior White House correspondent Jake Tapper and Nightline co-anchor Terry Moran are seen as inside favorites to replace him.
Good Morning America is stuck in a deep second place behind NBC’s Today show. Although the ABC morning show crept up to within a few thousand viewers of Today a few years ago, when Sawyer and Gibson co-hosted the broadcast, it has since fallen off. The show, by far the most lucrative at ABC News, is expected to suffer further declines when Sawyer leaves for World News in 2010.
Still hanging on in contention for Sawyer’s job is Chris Cuomo, who joined GMA as the show’s news anchor in 2006, when Charles Gibson left to take over World News. Cuomo, son of former New York Governor Mario and brother to New York Attorney General Andrew, is seen by some as the likely choice if negotiations with Stephanopoulos do not work out. That both contenders are associated with prominent Democrats has helped to add a campaign vibe to the contest for Sawyer’s anchor chair. There is a rumor floating around ABC that Mario Cuomo has placed some calls on his son’s behalf (the same rumor that surfaced three years ago when Chris aspired to join GMA).
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Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
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Rebecca Dana is a senior correspondent for The Daily Beast. A former editor and reporter for the Wall Street Journal, she has also written for the New York Times, the New York Observer, Rolling Stone and Slate, among other publications.
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Rebecca Dana is a senior correspondent for The Daily Beast. A former editor and reporter for the Wall Street Journal, she has also written for the New York Times, the New York Observer, Rolling Stone and Slate, among other publications.
wrywriter
Big mistake. Stephanopolous doesn't have the empathetic side (or at least he hasn't shown it to date) required of a morning show anchor. These are nominally news shows at best and require less political insight, which is GS' strong suit, than a willingness do "stupid story of the day" interviews and commentary. Does George really want to do balloon boy family interviews? Do we want him doing them?
My wife, a GMA die hard, said, "I loved waking up to Charlie. I love waking up to Diane. I don't want to wake up to George."
Putting GS in the anchor chair may be the gift Today has been waiting for.
JJewell
Today has Matt Lauer. This is good.
He is ALL "Today" has. Matt should relocate to ABC
JJewell
OH, I HOPE HE will do BOTH!
- I say this as a devoted GMA and This Week fan :
This is good news! :)
zzz123
I can't believe George would even consider moving to GMA--that he would even want it. Like Diane, he seems much more suited to hard news--not the dreadful drivel that is morning TV. Stay put, Georgie boy--don't do it!!
BOKOBOT
George would do better on GMA. But for heavens' sake, replace him with Jake Tapper. Nobody from the current incarnation of Nightline should be rewarded for anything they're doing. They messed up Koppel's creation beyond recognition.
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n--Y--cvillekidpoliticalpam
I would hate to see George leave his Sunday show. One reason I watch This Week is because he has been an insider in an administration. I still miss Tim Russert. No one today comes close to his considerable ability on Meet the Press when he was at the helm.
crypto
Yeppers. Russert made a place in the TV stone that will not ever be filled. A difficult thing to do in this age. But what he had doesn't come around often.
Fentro
But in a few years I could envision Tim's son Luke Russert doing Meet the Press. He seems a lot like his dad - less of a sentimentalist that Tim was - but equally smart (if not smarter), with the edge of the now generation.
But having worked in television, I can tell you that most of the exec's are picked through family nepotism, nepotism at temple, or stealing talent from another network. Looking at the quality (or lack thereof) of their choices in programming proves my point that these empty suits are clearly not risk-takers, so making a move like putting Luke in place of the bland David Gregory would be brilliant.
So hear my words, NBC tools - get Luke on contract now! Of course they're probably already locked into a 10 year contract w/ Gregory doing MTP. Then, that would put pressure on Stinky Stinkenopolis to do the bimbam GMA, since his Sunday show would lose market share to MTP (if they competed at the same time, which they don't).
Actually, I like George - I just thought he needed a funny 'knickname', and 'Stinky' is the best I could come up on short notice with (how 'bout 'Stephan-nipple-less? Georgy Porgy? George on My Mind?...).
What's the difference between 'your analysis' and 'urinalysis'?
GodDamn, I'm smart AND funny (humble, too).
suzisrealtor
I sincerely hope that George Stephenopolous is able to maintain his program on Sunday, as well as take on the program on "Good Morning, America. He is fantastic, as host for the Sunday program, and would definitely bring more listeners in for the daily "Good Morning, America". He is a superb host and one that I will turn on, every weekday.
Caegan
I adore George Stephanopolos, so thrilled at this prospect. I think he impresses as mega intelligent and trustworthy, balanced, kind but firm, and calm. However, appreciating wrywriter's comment re: do we want him doing the fluffy stuff. Couldn't we leave that for Chris and Robin?
Don't like Today show at all.
Will miss Sawyer.
smokescreen
This Week is fabulous with GW and so much better than Meet the Press. Big mistake for him to leave This Week for GMA. This Week has raised his bona fides; it has become a real Sunday not-to-be-missed. Tapper is smart but totally humorless.
PoisonIvy
I hope this does not come to pass. Chris Cuomo is genuine and talented and just terrific. He makes us laugh and always hits just the right note, be it serious or silly. He's just a great guy who I would always welcome to my home. Stephanopoulos is pompous and phony, in that government kind of way. You know "thank you for sharing your views with us" when what he really means is "we don't give a shit what you think." He's a great haircut. There's a reason we don't watch This Week. He's no Gwen Ifill. He's no Tim Russert. He's just a paper doll.
bwshook
I'm all in favor of whatever George decides. He is one of the most respected newsmen today. And he's not afraid to ask the questions we want answers to. He may have some kind of political past, but so what? Don't YOU have some kind of past?
Mercury1
Please leave Diane on the am show and put George in the evening news. I watch ABC news and don't want Diane at all. I quit watching CBS cause I didn't like Katie
sandyej
I don't mind Diane on the evening news, but I object heartily to losing George from Sunday morning to GMA. He is a serious journalist, and shouldn't be asked to do the sort of insipid, "TEARY" stories that GMA has come to feature, let alone having to cook and cheer on the Friday series.
All things in their place. The current GMA folks are good at what they do. Chris Cuomo is great. Don't fix something if it ain't broken. Let George stay where he is - on Sunday morning and as a visiting commentator on GMA and the evening news.
Pandora1
Oh No! He's perfect for "This Week" and would just be another tool of the irrelevant if he moves to GMA. I suspect he's too savvy where he is, and they want to kick him downstairs. Don't do it!!!
Jessica150
The problem for George is that GMA is the traditional stepping stone to get to the ABC World News, and if he wants that, he has to go through GMA. It's crappy, but that's what the execs think should happen.
Personally, I don't think George belongs on a morning show--he's all politics all the time to me.
Granite
I like George on This Week and I would like to see him stay there. George doesn't have the fluff factor that is necessary for morning TV.
His wife Ali briefly co-hosted a morning show several years ago, so, GMA with George and Ali might be interesting (might drive them to divorce though).
queensplate
george is being fired to the basement
aileenhome
I just love Bill Weir from weekend GMA - he is quick and amusing, and has the man-in-the-street people skills needed for morning TV. Love George but GMA is just not right for him.
Thank you.
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