MorningNews

George has just re-signed to stay with ABC. He'll continue anchoring GMA and This Week. http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/george-stephanopoulos-re-signs-with-gma-this-week_b222581

Yeah it was really crowded and uncomfortable looking with basically 4 people cramped to that side of the desk. Michael should stand next to Lara like he did last week it looks more balanced.

Michaels presence this morning breathed so much life into the show that I hadn't even realized was missing. GMA felt fresh this morning. Also Lara's new title is just that, a title. The only real change is that she is now Robin's primary fill in.

They haven't included Robin and George's name in the introduction since around the time that Sam left. Lara is in her normal spot but she's introducing more stories and segments so far, if this is the extent of her promotion then I'm fine with this.

Let's hope so since it already looks like her role has expanded a bit on the show in the last few weeks. If Lara ever wants to become anchor she has to hand over the pop news and celebrity scoops to someone else on the program, because she can't continue to do what she does now and expect people to take her seriously in a news role. Also the response at least online seems overwhelmingly negative towards the "promotion" Agreed. Amy was a great addition and I expect them to continue killing it when Michael and Tony officially start.

They've only added one new lady to the roster, Amy and that's because she was virtually apart of the team anyway. I had heard nothing but complaints about the amount of women that are on the show after Josh left, until Michael was introduced to the audience. I do agree that the show would be unbearable and lost if George was to leave and Robin and Lara are left to helm the program.

If reports are true then this was part of her new contract deal. That leads me to believe that what Josh was asking for wasn't that crazy. I really hope that this isn't a precursor for Robin or George's departure but I just can't see any other reason why they'd promote Lara and allow Josh to walk.

Just to respond to your points 1. I think this comes down more so to George than to Diane. If George says he wants WN or he's out, I'm sure they'll find a way to give it to him. He's paid his dues and has sacrificed a lot for the network. I dunno just a hunch that says they're not going to let George walk away. 2. It's not much about hard news vs soft fillers. It's about the lack of substantive content. The name of the broadcast is "World News" yet you would have to struggle to find a glimpse of world issues and topics. Her newscast doesn't have to be investigative hard hitting stories but some type of substance would be nice. Take for example what Evening News's latest series of reports on the rise of poverty in America, while Nightly News has ran a series on heroin addiction in America. Diane's newscast covers issues on how to save money on your grocery bill. ABC already has a great news/lifestyle/entertainment program and it's called Good Morning America. Under her reign the brand relevance has diminished and critically she's a far 3rd behind Scott and Brian. I understand that some like the new format but for someone who admires the work of Reasoner, Jennings, Robinson and Charles Gibson the current state of the newscast for me is very discouraging.

Totally agree. Just anything that gets her off of World News. Part of me hopes that ABC has some sort of plan in the works for her exit in coming years, hopefully they can get somebody else in there by the next election. It's quite obvious that the network has no faith in her breaking news capabilities or leadership. She was so perfect in her time on GMA but I can't stand to watch her on WN. For the love of all things holy, ABC please move her along!

Lara can be good at the news portion but the last few times she's filled in for Robin she looks like a deer caught in headlights with her delivery. She'll ease into the role I'm sure, when given time. I'm also really hoping this news means that Reali will transition into Lara's current role on the show. Maybe Ginger will be positioned outside with crowd to prevent the desk from feeling and looking too crowded.

Some good insight, but I would like to point out that Robin was reading the news when she was promoted and even in her promotion to co-anchor she still read the news. Lara does "pop" and while I enjoy her lifestyle segments I literally cringe when she's filling in for Robin, so we'll have to see how that goes. Another thing about this, Strahans new position and Reali's new position, that strikes me is that these ideas don't seem rushed or panicked but something that the network has worked on and thought about for some time. Maybe George has given them notice that he's leaving, even though we've heard nothing about a retirement from Diane. I truly believe that ABC wants George in Diane's chair at some point. It's still remarkable to me that George handles all of the networks special reports, major interviews. In the last year he has sat down with President Obama and Vladimir Putin, while Diane just wrapped up a big interview with the cast of Mad Men. Even if Diane has not mentioned stepping down, who's to say that ABC won't pair her up with George and have them both anchor World News? I like the latest additions of Michael and Tony to the program but if George heads to the evenings, ABC needs a BIG NAME to step in and sit with Robin and Lara. Someone who can carry the breaking news, serious interviews, political pundits and still have a charming personality that people somewhat enjoy for the other segments through out the morning. But who?

Sorry my comment is a little bit confusing, I meant that Robin and Lara alone as a team cannot lead GMA.

I had a *bad* feeling this was coming. What the hell is wrong with what she does now and how will this change what she already does being that she's basically a third co-anchor anyway? Makes sense with them hiring Tony Reali and I'm guessing he'll do what Lara does now? Maybe George is on the way out to take up Diane's post on World News and they're laying the ground work ahead of time. I'm certain that they would implement another male and have a 3 person co-anchor team. Robin and Lara, both treasures in their own rights, cannot lead the show alone.

Strahan was introduced this morning to the audience http://bit.ly/1qYrAZb

It's being used as their promotional song it seems, I originally liked the song and it's still catchy but it's being played to death. The song is spending it's 6th or 7th straight week at the top of the billboard charts.

8 hours every morning? Goodness!

Watching right now and in the first half hour after tossing to the first story, George and Lara(in for Robin) are sitting at the desk normally used during the 8:00 o'clock hour in front of the window. EDIT: at 7:13 they're now back at home base.

It's been confirmed by Michael, Robin, Lara and Amy all on separate occasions. I think ABC has delayed the official on air announcement so that it didn't come right on the heels of Josh's sudden departure and not to mention Robin is off this week. He'll be in the first hour and record segments/stories for the second hour.

Dan Abrams, Ryan Smith, Dan Harris or David Muir are my best guest. Maybe even Michael Strahan. But definitely need to get someone in there as main fill in to prepare for whenever George decides to leave.

Yep it's his first time on the weekday edition. He's pretty good. I hope GMA uses him, Ryan Smith and Dan Harris more frequently as fill ins.

Oh yes that argument. Valid arguments to consider but I like the approach they've taken. GMA was always meant to be a more entertaining and flashy alternative to NBC's offering and that has been more successful for them as opposed to taking a more serious approach to news.

What exactly has GMA done in order to get to the top and to stay there that one could be disappointed in.

Ryan Smith filled in for Amy today, while she filled in next to George for Robin who is on vacation. Boy, Ryan Smith is always pretty enjoyable when he's there and today he reminded me why this show needs more than one male not to mention he was really funny with Lara. Since Michael isn't full-time on GMA and the show needs to think long-term as well, I really hope that they put RyRy as Lara calls him on the show more often. Ginger was on location this morning but even their chemistry together on GMA Live is pretty good.

It's obvious that for this to pan out the way described one of the programs on the current line up will be axed. The linked article suggested that The Views years are numbered anyway.

Watching The View now days the show certainly feels stale, it's about time to do a refresh or can it.