Key Highlights
- Matt O’Donnell from Action News visits Good Morning America ahead of its 50th anniversary.
- The team at GMA is settling into their new state-of-the-art studios in Manhattan.
- Broadcasting legends such as Joan Lunden, Charlie Gibson, and Diane Sawyer have hosted the show over five decades.
- Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan are currently hosting GMA.
The Journey of Good Morning America: A 50-Year Legacy
Good Morning America (GMA) is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its 50th anniversary on November 3. The iconic morning show has been a staple in American households for five decades, providing viewers with the latest news and entertainment from early mornings until late afternoons.
New Studios and Early Mornings
As part of their preparations for this momentous occasion, the GMA team recently relocated to new studios at 7 Hudson Square in Manhattan. The early mornings that have been a trademark of both Action News and GMA continue to hold significance as Matt O’Donnell from 6abc made an early trip to New York to catch a glimpse of these changes.
“I’m familiar with the early morning wakeup call,” Whit Johnson, one of the weekend anchors at GMA, shared. “You never get used to it, but you get familiar with the pain when that alarm clock goes off.”
A Legacy of Broadcasters
Over the past five decades, GMA has featured numerous broadcasting legends, including Joan Lunden, Charlie Gibson, and Diane Sawyer. Currently, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan are part of the show’s roster.
“How do you listen so well to us?” O’Donnell asked Roberts during his visit. “Because it’s so entertaining what I’m hearing from you all,” Roberts responded. “I mean that! I love dipping in early.
But I find that when you listen, you might learn something new.”
Strahan, known for his time as a New York Giants Hall of Famer before transitioning to broadcasting, couldn’t resist commenting on O’Donnell’s choice of attire. “On the personal side of broadcasting now, I love Philadelphia,” Strahan said. “From a playing respect, it was the meanest place to ever go. It was my favorite place to play because I love getting screamed at, yelled at, having things thrown at me.”
Connections with 6abc
Action News shares several connections with GMA, including collaborations during events like the Philadelphia Flower Show and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Ginger Zee, GMA’s Chief Meteorologist, expressed how integral Philadelphia is to the show’s success.
“There is no GMA without Philadelphia,” Zee said. “It’s just the truth. And it’s not just because we all know you do very well to help us out, but I hear from people in Philadelphia as much as anywhere else in the country and a lot of times more.”
Sam Champion, another member of the GMA team, is also looking forward to returning for the parade coverage this year. “So Philly was always a retreat for me,” he said, “I always used to escape the city and stay in that Olde, downtown Philadelphia. It’s still that for me.”
A Shared Tradition
The visit concluded with O’Donnell leading the team through their familiar catchphrase: “One, two, three — Good Morning America!” The group responded in unison, emphasizing the strong bond between both teams.
