mountainave

My question is, will the show seem bloated if all 6 on-air talent graced the screen for a one-hour version of the show? I understand they want to mimic the three anchor dynamic that they have on their weekday show, but it just seems too tacky on the weekend.

My guess is that they'll either phase out the news reader role in favor of three coanchors, or they'll drop back down to two co-anchors after Paula's replacement is chosen. Either way, I think we'll see five, not six.

The ensemble this morning was Dan, Diane Macedo, and Whit Johnson coanchoring, with Adrienne doing Pop News and Ron doing news. No Rob.

 

Last week, a woman from ESPN was in as the third co-anchor. Forgot her name.

Has there been any indication as to whether this will be a live show, or recorded in the morning and then aired in the afternoon?

Hopefully they’ll slowly shift Strahan off the main 7am hour.

Agreed, and I have to assume he'll disappear from the 7 am hour pretty quickly. I image he wouldn't be willing to stick with the 4:00 am wakeup for GMA at 7, and then stay around to prep for and do the 1:00 pm show.

EDIT: Just read that the show will be taped in the morning after GMA airs, so disregard my hypothesis.

 

My question is why isn't ABC bringing back the Good Afternoon America branding for the show's 3rd hour?

I was also wondering this. Personally, I like the sound of Good Afternoon America better. But, even on the morning show they have been shifting away from referring to it as "Good Morning America" and largely refer to the show as "GMA." So maybe the thought is that "GMA" is a recognizable brand, and they are doubling down on it.

 

Well, 1:00pm ET is still morning in the western half of the country.

Yeah, but will it be airing live at 10:00 am PT or on tape at 1:00 pm PT? I would think the latter.

EDIT: Disregard this, too .

Indeed, it has since been reported that, after Whoopi stormed off the stage, Pirro called the staff something inappropriate (c***suckers) in front of the audience before she herself left the stage.

 

Whoopi confirmed the confrontation backstage did happen, and also said that Pirro was cursing at the security staff and others on her way out.

 

Pirro's weekly show on Fox News airs tonight at 9:00 pm. It'll be interesting to see what she says. She's already spoken about the interview on Hannity and other Fox shows, but now she'll be on her own turf.

So, there was a little incident yesterday when Jeanine Pirro appeared on the show:

 

 

Pirro claims that after she walked off stage, she crossed paths with Whoopi, and Whoopi then shouted "F*** you" and "Get the f*** out of this building."

I'm sure we'll see several people rotate into the chair in the coming weeks. Right now, I'd put my money on Diane Macedo, who's been anchoring WNN and ATM.

Interesting,

 

I know it does not say it in the article...

I wonder if her departure has anything todo with her getting a spot on the third hour of Good Morning America

The release from ABC suggests the intention is to free up her schedule by removing her from regular anchoring duties. So, unless they do a 180, it seems unlikely that she'd end up with a host role for the third hour.

 

My bet is on Cecilia Vega replacing her on GMA.

Maybe. But serving as White House Correspondent is a pretty high-profile gig, especially with the current administration. And she is already a regular fill-in on weekday GMA. Giving those things up to be anchor of weekend GMA might amount to a demotion, unless she prefers it.

Or the GMA weekend pop news anchor Adrianne.

In which case, they could hire Sam Champion to take over Pop News. Lol. He had been filling in for her several times recently.

 

Hey, stranger things have happened.

Something to do with sports, perhaps?

Whit Johnson is filling in for Dan Harris this morning.

Here's the full release: http://abc7ny.com/business/chad-matthews-named-vp-news-director-of-wabc-tv/3540380/

WABC is still running promos for the 5:00 show with Diana and Sade, so I presume the plan is still for her to return.

I like this decision. He’s a quality journalist and it balances the male to female ratio on the show. Now if they could only find a way to deemphasize Michael.

From a journalistic quality perspective, it'd be nice to see Whit take over most of Michael's role in the first hour, with Michael then owning more of the second hour. Don't know that that will happen, though. Certainly not immediately.

That wouldn't shock me if it pans out. Like Tom Llamas, he held a high-profile role before joining ABC News.

Sounds like it remains unclear if Amy will continue as news anchor on GMA while hosting 20/20, or if she'll be replaced, or if the news anchor role will be eliminated altogether.

 

If it's the latter, in combination with the elimination of Lara's full time role, it certainly

amounts to a cost savings for the show.

She's back on the 11 but not the 5. I would think it would be oppiset and she'd want to be out earlier but who knows the exact circumstances. It also seems like they maybe trying out different teams again. Especially at noon. Not saying it's anything to read into but you never do know.

All of that could be true. But it's also probably easier for management to get other anchors to sub in for the 5 than the 11. So, if she asked for a reduced schedule, she may have been told her option was to sit out for the 5 and do the 11.

Honestly I know the graphics were just changed, but they have to go. I'd like to see something more on the like of the package that KABC and KGO use. The music needs to change too. They've been using it for too long. They've been too complacent over the years.

There's no reason to change the music. Part of the reason Eyewitness News is successful is because it has a long history and a recognized brand. The music is part of that. Loyal viewers who have been watching for 10, 20, 30+ years like it and like the consistency. They don't like change.

I'm sure a lot of these behind the scenes shuffles at WABC will lead to on-air changes too. Hopefully we can see some refreshing ideas from new talent make it on the air.

 

Hopefully a return to hiring only the best and most qualified -- and retaining them. WABC has become a revolving door over the last few years.

 

I'm doubtful of this, though, given Disney's cost-cutting directives. That may explain the increase in hiring younger, less experienced reporters as well as the increasing use of freelancers.

And today is the third anniversary of Lisa Colagrossi's death. What timing.

Robin and Michael were both off this morning, so Amy was once again in his chair while Ceclia Vega sat in the center. Personally, I think the remaining regular anchor (George in this situation) should be seated in the middle, but that's just me.

 

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When Robin is out these days, how often does Amy fill in for her vs. Cecilia (or another substitute) coming in for Robin while Amy remains in her normal role?

 

I have to assume Amy would want to be sitting in for Robin on those days, with Cecilia sitting in for Amy. It's strange that this isn't what seems to be happening. Unless Amy was out, too.

Agreed... but somewhere there’s a consultant telling them leave the anchor in his/her usual seat, the viewers will be confused if they’re sitting elsewhere...

And another consultant telling them that if they move George to the middle, they'll give the appearance that women aren't important.

Yup... “retiring” but “retiring from WABC” and doing it quickly, as he said in his memo to staff.... aka Disney/ABC is hitting the reset button on management of the station, likely due to lawsuits against the MIA news director and losing a star anchor after mismanaged contract negotiations saw the anchor walk out suddenly with the contract fully paid, a six minute on air send off, and end up on a competing station in the same position just six weeks later.

 

http://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2018/2/23/the-internal-memo

Not to mention the accusation of sexual harassment against him set forth by Behnke referencing his comments to Stokes.

 

That said, by most accounts he's been a very successful TV executive, and plenty of people like him and respect him highly. Plus, he's worked for at least four decades, and many in his position with his net worth would be ready to retire.

Naveen Dhaliwal, formerly of News 12, has joined WABC.

Is Camille back?