Thursday, February 26, 2009

I Watch Good Morning America

By charlie reese

There is a lot of competition to be the most watched morning news show in America and Good Morning America has been one of the most popular since its inception in 1975 on the ABC network. The mix of news, weather, entertainment and features helps to wake up Americans across the country with their first cup of coffee of the day. The show is broadcast live from Times Square Studios in New York City, co-hosted by Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts. Its closest rival is the Today show on NBC.

Critics like it as much as viewers and the show won the Emmy award for Outstanding Morning Program in 2007, sharing the accolade with Today. However, Good Morning America won outright in 2008. The show's producers have kept up with current trends and there is a well designed web site for the show. The news headlines are presented with news items from the USA and across the world. Articles are divided into sections, which include Money, Health, Politics, Entertainment, Sports, and Travel. There are also features on family life and recipes. Clips from the show can be viewed in the Video Vault.

Over the years, many famous celebrity guests have been in the Good Morning America studio including movie stars, Sylvester Stallone, Audrey Hepburn, and John Travolta. TV Superman actor Dean Cain has appeared and legendary singers, Liza Minnelli, Peggy Lee and Barbra Streisand. The Monkees, Ringo Starr and Madonna have also been invited.

The show has also expanded its audience into other countries outside the USA. It is aired in Australia and the Philippines and the Orbit Satellite Television network broadcasts it in Europe and the Middle East. Good Morning America launched a one-hour weekend edition on Saturdays and Sundays in 2004 with Ron Claiborne as the news anchor and Marysol Castro as the weather anchor who also presents special features. Good Morning America Now is the version that is one hour longer that has aired exclusively since 2007 on ABC News Now, the 24-hour news channel.

The show also has a radio version on XM Radio that debuted in 2006. In addition to news and features, listeners can take part in discussions on current topics. The four-hour show is broadcast on Mondays through Saturdays and is hosted by Hilarie Barksy. Good Morning America then is easily accessible and offers Americans living abroad a flavor of home. - 16651

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