Despite promises from ABC to the contrary, Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts appears to have been almost completely shut out from political and policy interviews since George Stephanopoulos joined the show on December 14. The former Democratic operative has now anchored 11 mornings and conducted all but one of the big interviews.
Back on December 10, GMA executive producer Jim Murphy told TV Newser, "We believe in supporting everyone fully." He also added, "Everyone will get their fair share." And yet, Stephanopoulos has talked to such heavyweights as Senator John McCain, author Bob Woodward, Representative Pete King, former counter-terrorism advisor Richard Clarke, Howard Dean, David Axelrod and others.
(The single exception occurred on December 22 when Roberts and Stephanopoulos both quizzed Dr. Tim Johnson about the health care bill.) This is a break from how the show operated prior to the exit of Diane Sawyer in December. On March 26, 2007, Roberts was the solitary host of an episode-long town hall GMA with then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. On September 9, 2009, she scored an exclusive interview with President Obama. These are but a few examples.
In the same December 10 TV Newser piece, Roberts seemed taken aback at the idea that her policy role on the program might be limited:
Asked whether she's concerned that Stephanopoulos' deep DC roots would leave her out of the mix when it comes to hard-hitting interviews, she threw one back at us: "Who from ABC News was invited to the state dinner?" Roberts was.
"I'm not worried one bit," says Roberts.
Roberts has handled other news interviews outside of D.C. policy, including talking with the father of convicted murder Amanda Knox, for example. On Monday, she chatted with Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
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Sexist police?
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 14:32 ET by Tim GrahamHaven't we gone here from a double-woman feminist enclave to sort of a patriarchal Ward and June news team? Robin's taking all the "women's news" interviews while George gets all the political substance?
Ward and June, eh?
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 15:58 ET by CO2MakerI see the new white man with power connections getting in line ahead of the black woman of established creds and longevity. But they're Democrats on a MSM/SCM show, so whatever Chris the White Mouth Frog, Keith the Sports Boy, and all those other keep complaining about about the Republicans clearly has no bearing on George's montage a moi.
Question about Stephy
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 15:49 ET by jon_torlinI got a question about Georgie if the above is true about him getting all the stuff.....
Whose b!tch is he?
-Jon
I'm sorry I have to say
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 15:50 ET by Radical1979I'm sorry I have to say it. He's an ugly little gnome like man.
Well that feels better.
Maybe you have poor taste
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 16:36 ET by bre1227in men. Didn't we just get through the welcome Georgie show describing him as "drop dead gorgeous?" So gorgeous in fact, every women that doesn't have the hots for THE ONE has set their sights on him.
sarc off
Let me find my blindfold.
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 18:34 ET by Radical1979Let me find my blindfold. Oh, now I can stand to look at him on tv.
Ratings Drop?
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 16:04 ET by BarkerIs George Stephanopoulos a turd in the GMA coffee pot?
Desperate Housewives
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 16:38 ET by Jerry MackYep! Chatting with Teri Hatcher is a biggie. Terri probably knows and cares as much about what is happening in Washington as GMAs average viewer. The ones that consider this show along with Oprah and The View as their primary political news source.
Snuffalupagus
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 19:24 ET by sarge329So Snuffalupagus got the plum job. Gee, go figure. Since he's been big in the DNC for some time, this is his payback. Just like Pena in Denver. He was Sec'y of Transportation during the Clinton years and as payback, the new airport just outside of Denver is now Pena International Airport.
So the white guy gets all
Thu, 01/07/2010 - 10:33 ET by Saint ZeroSo the white guy gets all the good interviews, while the black lady gets fluff and no one's thought to cry racism yet?
Dang, I must have missed something.
GMA Name Change
Thu, 01/07/2010 - 11:18 ET by jimrunnerWith Stephanopoulos at the helm, ABC should be honest and change the name of the show to "Good Morning Democrats!"