Last updated on August 10th, 2014 at 05:05 pm
George Stephanopoulos is, without a doubt talented and knowledgeable enough to handle the task of moving to ABC’s Good Morning America. The question is: What happens to one of the most popular and informing Sunday Morning political talk shows? This Week has reinvented itself since the days of David Brinkley, but
it could be facing new challenges without its current host.
A news report has come out from the usual “not supposed to comment” authority that current ABC political talk show host George Stephanopoulos has been offered the co-anchor job on ABC’s morning show “Good Morning America”. Stephanopoulos would be filling the co-host chair when Diane Sawyer takes over as anchor of ABC’s “World News Tonight”.
Naturally, the executive who told the press about the story has no other information at this time other than to say the offer has been made and it’s Stephanopoulos’ decision to take the job or turn it down.
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
But will this hurt ABC in the long run
Stephanopoulos is, without a doubt talented and knowledgeable enough to handle the task. The question is: What happens to one of the most popular and informing Sunday Morning political talk shows? The former Clinton White House insider is, in my opinion the best Sunday morning host on television.
He gets to the heart of the matter and is not afraid to ask the tougher questions that “softball pitcher” David Gregory of “Meet The Press” would even dream of asking. (I respect the former MTP host, but the late Tim Russert was the worst, especially during the Democratic Presidential primary debates when he asked everyone else a political question, then asked Dennis Kucinich if he actually saw a U.F.O.)
ABC should look farther down the road as to who they would pick to host Sunday morning. Who’s left that could honestly be credible and tough enough for “This Week?” The highly credible Robin Roberts, who so bravely and graciously handled her breast cancer fight on television for the women of the world would be the best pick, but she’s co-hosting “G.M.A.”
Of course, all of this speculation hinges on whether Stephanopoulos accepts the daily morning gig. And he’ll have to move to New York, which might be a factor. But it would be in the best interests of ABC to start looking at their list of who’s left in the bullpen to be an educated choice for “This Week” without sullying the “This Week” brand that Stephanopoulos has worked so hard to legitimize.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
