The journalists at Good Morning America on Tuesday again sold out the news department in order to shill for Disney and the whims of CEO Bob Iger. The morning show devoted almost five minutes to promoting a glossy new book singing the praises of the corporate behemoth.
Dismissing her own program as nothing more than a product like co-division Marvel, co-host Robin Roberts cheered, “It is called One Day at Disney and it celebrates the people and the culture that makes all this happen, from Walt Disney world to Marvel to GMA.”
The journalist sucked up to her Disney boss, CEO Iger: “The idea for this book actually came from the man himself, right to the top, Bob Iger, our chairman and CEO of Walt Disney company. One Day at Disney is out this morning and I know everybody in the piece said it, but we do have the best jobs at Disney.”
Describing the news program as similar to a “Disney attraction,” Roberts enthused:
I almost feel like we are a Disney attraction. People really look forward to seeing us. The news is very serious, the information that we're conveying is very serious, but also a component of our program where you can spend time with the audience.
On November 12, GMA devoted almost 17 minutes to promoting the launch of Disney+. Think of all this the next time you hear liberals in the media talk about undue influence of corporate entities or the dominance of powerful voices.
A partial transcript is below:
Good Morning America
12/3/19
8:17 AM ET
ROBIN ROBERTS: Now to a new book that is taking you behind the scenes of the magic. It is called One Day at Disney and it celebrates the people and the culture that makes all this happen from Walt Disney world to Marvel to GMA. Will Reeve has our story.
WILL REEVE: Every day around the world they're designing, Innovating, informing and performing.
MIKE DAVEY: I'm Mike Davey with Walt Disney Imagineering.
[Clip from One Day at Disney.]
DAVEY: Now a new book One Day at Disney offers inside look capturing a day in the life of the Walt Disney company through the eyes of its employees.
BRUCE C. STEELE (Author, One Day at Disney): I can't tell you home people told me they have the best job in the company and everybody means it when they say it. It means because they're doing the job perfect for them.
REEVE: With photos taken over a 24-hour period, the book features interviews with some 80 cast members. One Day at Disney will also debut as a documentary and 52-episode series on Disney+.
MAN: I would argue with anybody that said I didn't have the best job in the company.
WENDY LEFKON (Editorial director, Disney Editions): We're trying to showcase at any given hour on any given day not a special day, not a movie premiere, not a park opening, not a holiday, not anything particularly out of the ordinary that extraordinary things go on.
REEVE: Like Tom Self, an outside machinist who takes care of Disneyland’s water-based attractions.
TOM SELF: Our diving takes place once the sun goes down and the guests have all gone home. It's all tinker bell, all magic and we don't exist and that's kind of the way it's supposed to be.
REEVE: While Tom starts diving in California around 1:30 in the morning. At 4:00 AM in New York, our own Robin Roberts is beginning her day.
ROBERTS: What up, troops.
VOICE: Good morning, Robin.
REEVE: At Good Morning America.
ROBERTS: I almost feel like we are a Disney attraction. People really look forward to seeing us. The news is very serious, the information that we're conveying is very serious but also a component of our program where you can spend time with the audience. [Talking to crowd.] Nice to have you all here.
...
REEVE: For Good morning America, at Walt Disney world resort in Orlando, Florida, Will Reeve, ABC News.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Talking to the porcupine.
ROBERTS: I know. Who knew? The idea for this book actually came from the man himself, right to the top, Bob Iger, our chairman and CEO of Walt Disney company One Day at Disney is out this morning and I know everybody in the piece said it but we do have the best jobs at Disney. And you know what? Because of you we're going to show our gratitude. Everyone is going home with their own copy.
