“GMA” host George Stephanopoulos has been “depressing” after being compelled to apologize following the President Trump fiasco — and staffers are already speculating about who may change him, The Publish has discovered
Stephanopoulos has been rumored to be on his means out, in response to a number of community sources, since ABC Information dad or mum Disney agreed to settle a defamation swimsuit in December over the anchor insisting on-air that Trump was “discovered chargeable for rape” — as an alternative of sexual abuse — in a lawsuit by journalist E. Jean Carroll.
As a part of Disney’s cope with Trump, the previous Democratic operative — who co-hosts “GMA” with Roberts and Michael Strahan — was compelled to problem an apology.
The complete episode has turned out to be “emasculating” for the “This Week” host, who has remoted himself much more than regular because the settlement, a supply with information advised The Publish.
“George appears depressing,” the supply mentioned, musing that the community may wait to drag the plug on him this summer time when issues are “useless” or later within the 12 months.
“He’s undoubtedly gone,” the insider predicted. “He’s a useless man strolling for certain.”
A number of sources added that he may stay on the community in a decrease profile means, presumably engaged on movie and TV tasks.
However one other supply near the community shot down discuss that Stephanopoulos is depressing at “GMA.”
“That is nonsense, anybody watching ‘GMA’ can see he’s engaged, all-in, and as dedicated as ever.” the supply mentioned, including, “He’s joyful to be right here.”
A rep for Stephanopoulos didn’t remark.
The community is at the moment shelling out round $75 million yearly for Roberts, Strahan and Stephanopoulos, a large sum contemplating TV audiences are shrinking and the significance of morning reveals has waned.
Roberts may flex her vital affect on the community ought to an anchor seat open up. She is predicted to push good pal and “GMA” weekend anchor Gio Benitez for the function, a number of sources who work on the community advised The Publish.
“Robin calls the pictures at GMA,” one ABC Information supply mentioned.
Benitez just lately posted a photograph to his Instagram account that confirmed him and his husband smiling alongside Roberts and her partner, Amber Laign, as they attended a film premiere about singer Gloria Gaynor. Roberts is an govt producer of the biopic.
The caption beneath the selfie of the chummy foursome learn: ”To see @gloriagaynor carry out her mega hit LIVE is actually one thing. What an evening celebrating the brand new movie govt produced by the one-and-only @robinrobertsgma, “I WILL SURVIVE: The Gloria Gaynor Story,” airing Saturday, Feb. eighth on @lifetimetv.”
“Everyone thinks Gio may very well be the brand new George,” mentioned one other supply near the scenario.
“He’s in with the in crowd.”
One other identify that has surfaced is Will Reeve — the hunky ABC Information correspondent and son of the late “Superman” star Christopher Reeve.
“In case you may put Superman on ‘GMA’ wouldn’t you?” the second supply mentioned.
NBC’s Willie Geist, who hosts “Sunday At present,” has additionally been swept within the rumor mill.
One of many insiders added that ABC may additionally decide to simply follow Roberts and Strahan – and faucet “extra of a newsreader” sort with a modest wage to fill out the morning staff.
An ABC Information rep declined to remark.
Disney just lately re-upped Stephanopoulos’ contract, however that is probably not an obstacle to transferring him out of “GMA.”
“It’s the Disney means,” mentioned a longtime former Disney exec. “They re-sign your contract then they transfer you out.”
“GMA,” the perennial mornings scores champion, has been in a stoop, trailing NBC’s “At present” in viewership because the fall.
Within the final week of January, “NBC “At present” — which just lately named Craig Melvin as co-host alongside Savannah Gurthie following Hoda Kotb’s exit — reeled in 2.7 million complete viewers and 705,000 in the important thing 25-to-54 demo. “GMA” drew 2.66 million viewers and 459,000 within the demo throughout the identical interval.