Josh Elliott Replaced By Amy Robach on Good Morning America

Josh Elliott is leaving Good Morning America effective as you read this. Amy Robach is the new news anchor on the morning program after the network refused to pay Josh what he thought he was worth. Apparently he was making a little over $1M annually and wanted a raise to $10M. ABC felt like they didn't need him that much so he is leaving the show for NBC Sports where he will kick himself everyday. Even though he has a month left on his contract ABC replaced him this morning and forever with Amy Robach who filled in for Robin Roberts during her six month absence from the show. I think this is a good move by ABC. Josh is popular but is he the reason people tune in and watch? The news anchors to me are fairly interchangeable. It is the hosts that get people to watch and I don't think Josh is worth $10M a year. At NBC Sports he is going to do some work for their Sunday night football show and the Olympics and Triple Crown racing, so basically he won't be nearly as visible as a daily M-F gig in front of millions of people. The good news is can sleep in.

Nancy Grace On Good Morning America

A kind soul from ABC took pity on my west coast self and sent me a clip of Nancy Grace from the east coast feed of Good Morning America today. When Nancy Grace is a trending topic on Twitter and it is not because she booked a boxing match with Casey Anthony then chances are it was not a good thing. In the mornings it is ok to have some spark and a little controversy. Dan Abrams and Nancy Grace in a tamer version of a death match is not what the network or the show's producers wanted and there were a whole lot of clicks about halfway through the argument. You don't want people to turn off or turn away from what you are programming. The thing is the producers should have known better than to start a Monday morning this way, but Nancy Grace is smart enough to know there is a own show Nancy Grace at night kind of way to be and an early morning people are just starting their week kind of way and not only did she cost GMA viewers she probably cost herself the chance to ever come back on the show again unless she agrees to really tone down the Nancy Grace-ness.

Of course Nancy could just be upset that the libel suit filed against her by Robert Skakel is being allowed to proceed. Nancy said that Skakel's DNA was found at the scene of the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley. No DNA was found at the scene.

Robin Roberts Is Back

If you turned on Good Morning America this morning, you probably noticed a familiar face. Robin Roberts is back after a six month absence. It honestly did not feel that long because even though she was no on the air everyday, it seemed like ABC and Robin did their best to keep her very much in the public eye and not to let audiences forget about her. Considering that most audiences love her like I love bacon, that is probably a smart move on their part and why they continued to crush Today even while she was gone. Huh. Robin is likable and the show wins. Matt Lauer is not likable and their show loses. Seems simple when you put it that way.

Robin Roberts Is Headed Back To Good Morning America

Much more quickly than expected, Robin Roberts is headed back to Good Morning America. This morning she said that doctors told her she could start preparing for a return to the show and next week will probably not appear on air, but will go through the routine of getting up early and doing what she would normally do. I think that with this flu season being especially bad and her vulnerabilities right now, she should wait until after the outbreak hits its peak, but hey, I am not a doctor and have never played one on television. Robin has been off the air since September 20, but honestly it seems like she is on all the time. ABC has been doing a good job of keeping her in the loop and keeping people involved in her return. Plus, her recovery makes for good ratings.

Robin Roberts Goes On Medical Leave A Day Early

Robin Roberts' last day on Good Morning America was supposed to be tomorrow morning before heading off to receive treatment for her MDS. However, there appears to be something wrong with her own mother, so Robin is flying to Mississippi to take care of her mother before receiving a bone marrow transplant as part of her treatment.

Good Morning America Continues To Dominate - Robin Roberts To Take Medical Leave

For the first time in 17 years, Good Morning America beat the Today Show in the total number of viewers. For 852 weeks GMA lost. That all changed and much of the success is because everyone loves Robin Roberts and hates Matt Lauer and whoever he is sleeping with at that particular time. It has nothing to do with Ann Curry. Anyway, Robin told reporters yesterday that she is going to have to take time off in August and September for her bone marrow transplant. Combined with Today having all of this Olympics stuff going for them and her absence, GMA is going to struggle to hang on to first. Robin said that Katie Couric would be filling in a lot. Robin is amazing and I hope she completely recovers from this.

Robin Roberts Has Rare Blood Disorder

I don't think I can say it any better than how Robin Roberts says it, so here is her letter to everyone about her condition and her fight. She is one tough person and I wish her all the best.

Here we go again…
As many of you know, 5 years ago I beat breast cancer. I’ve always been a fighter, and with all of your prayers and support, a winner.
Sometimes the treatment for cancer can cause other serious medical problems. Today, I want to let you know that I’ve been diagnosed with MDS or myelodysplastic syndrome. It’s a disease of the blood and bone marrow and was once known as preleukemia.
My doctors tell me I’m going to beat this — and I know it’s true.
If you Google MDS, you may find some scary stuff, including statistics that my doctors insist don’t apply to me. They say I’m younger and fitter than most people who confront this disease and will be cured.
Today, I will start what is known as pre-treatment — chemotherapy in advance of a bone marrow transplant later this year. Bone marrow donors are scarce and particularly for African-American women. I am very fortunate to have a sister who is an excellent match, and this greatly improves my chances for a cure. As you know from my recent interview with Mark Zuckerberg, organ donation is vitally important. Many people don’t realize they can be bone marrow donors. I encourage everyone to sign up on a donor registry like bethematch.org.
I received my MDS diagnosis on the very day that Good Morning America finally beat the Today Show for the first time in 16 years. Talk about your highs and lows! Then a few weeks ago, during a rather unpleasant procedure to extract bone marrow for testing, I received word that I would interview President Obama the next day. The combination of landing the biggest interview of my career and having a drill in my back reminds me that God only gives us what we can handle and that it helps to have a good sense of humor when we run smack into the absurdity of life.
Bottom line: I’ve been living with this diagnosis for awhile and will continue to anchor GMA. I love what I do and the people with whom I do it. Along with my faith, family and friends, all of you at ABC News give me the motivation and energy to face this challenge.
Going forward, it’s business as usual at GMA, which means I’ll be right here every day with George, Sam, Josh and Lara. When I miss a day here or there, I’m fortunate that some very talented friends at ABC News will fill-in. When I undergo the transplant later this year, I’ll miss a chunk of time.
When I faced breast cancer, your prayers and good wishes sustained me, gave me such hope and played a major role in my recovery. In facing this new challenge, I ask humbly for more of your prayers and love – as I will keep you in my mine and update you regularly on my condition.
Love and blessings,
Robin

Big Mistake By Britney

I don't usually wake up early enough to see all the performers who sing on the early morning talk show programs, but from what I have seen, they often have technical problems, the weather can be very uncooperative and for the most part, unless you are a really good singer, the quality sucks and you don't end up looking that great. Plus, musicians as a rule do not enjoy getting up at 4am to get read for an 8am performance.

So, why on earth would Britney Spears sign up for a December 2 appearance on GMA in Bryant Park? To me that is just setting yourself up for failure. Even if everything went flawless, she is still not going to sound great because of the conditions, and at worse the performance could make the VMA of last year look wonderful. Apparently she was dying to do one of the morning programs and GMA beat everyone out.

What she needs is for Solid Gold to make a comeback so she can do her little dance moves while lip syncing to her songs and have a bunch of retired disco dancers in the background making her look good. Instead what she is going to get is some guy slipping on a patch of ice on the stage while he is reaching for the last donut on the craft service table, pulling out a plug and watching Britney embarrass herself. Live, outdoor television, in winter (almost) in New York in the early morning is just not a recipe for success. A recipe for YouTube success, but not Britney.