Charlie Gibson Says So Long to 'News'

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 2nd 2009 12:09PM

In a very surprising move in the network news world, ABC 'World News' anchor Charlie Gibson is stepping down as the anchor of the popular broadcast. Diane Sawyer will be replacing him in the anchoring duties.

The New York Post broke the story on Wednesday, reporting that Gibson will continue to anchor 'World News' through the end of the year. Sawyer, 63, will then become the second female network news anchor, joining Katie Couric.

In an email obtained by RadarOnline.com, Gibson told his coworkers that "it has not been an easy decision to make. This has been my professional home for almost 35 years. And I love this news department, and all who work in it, to the depths of my soul."

Gibson goes on to say that 'World News' "is now operating at a very accelerated, but steady, cruising speed, and I think it is an opportune time for a transition - both for the broadcast and for me."

Gibson took the reigns of 'World News' in May of 2006 after various events sidelined the show's current co-anchors. Bob Woodruff was hit by a roadside bomb while covering the Iraq war, and Elizabeth Vargas's pregnancy eventually led to her quitting the broadcast altogether.

Gibson brought 'World News' to the top of the network news chain, maintaining the top ratings spot among the three for most of his tenure until recently. He closed each broadcast with his signature sign-off phrase, "I'm Charlie Gibson, and I hope you had a good day."

There's been no announcement on how 'Good Morning America,' which Sawyer anchors along with Chris Cuomo and Robin Roberts, will be affected by the move.

A Charlie Gibson 'World News' Highlight Reel

Comments

(794)

Wednesday 02 September

By arthur lee davis

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THOSE FUNNY NAMES WE HAVE AS BLACK PEOPLE COME FROM OUR SLAVE MASTERS . OR DIDN`T YOU KNOW ?
FEW BLACKS BORN IN AMERICA, IF ANY, BEAR SURNAMES THAT WERE NOT THEIR OWNERS NAMES .

SEPTEMBER 02 , 2009 , TUESDAY

By Ellen Rossi

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Charlie you are a class act. Watched you on Good Morning America for many years and now on World News Tonight. However, the best choice to replace you is Diane Sawyer another class act. Hope we will see you doing some reporting from time to time.

Saturday 05 September

By Mary

Please Diane has NOT earned the spot. Their are more and better choices to pick from then Diane!

By Moriah

He sees the writing on the wall. News is 24/7, twitted, facebooked, utubed etc. TV has to compete with web and web wins. Sadly, network tv is delegated to mindless crap when it could be aimed towards more educational pursuits and get rid of schools altogether. We're in a full blown (r)Evolution where we aren't going to be led by the media ever again.

By sherry

Charlies news was on of the ones left that acutally gave just news, not their opinions or asked for opinions to be sent in. Also, he tried every evening to find some thing good to report. Acutally now all we will get is gossip, if you choose not to continue to watch news that does not come by Fox. Diane Sawyer will do the same kind of job. I will miss Charlie as I did the reporter before him.

By Marlene Paul

How could you even think of getting rid of Charles Gibson, a Class Act - very professional - and wonderful to watch. Very bad mistake to get rid of him!!!!!!

Diane Sawyer, I'm sorry, but I will not watch her. Even on Good Morning America - she is a nut case.

Please revamp your thinking on ABC.

By mbrul

you're led by the media, you just don't know it. who do you think got obama elected?

By fitzpatrick

I hope Moriah isn't correct about where the News is going. Be that as it may, Gibson was the best of the current anchors, and, in my opinion, Diane Sawyer will not be a good replacement. Keep her on the morning show. How about enticing AARON BROWN back to the news. Now there was one helluva good, reliable news person!

By alan sells

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The sheep will be led by bloggers when network news sucks in its last breath

Thursday 03 September

By phil

I think you are correct Moriah. Mr. Gibson sees the handwriting on the wall. He is very polished and easy to listen to, yet, I cannot quite forgive him for his cheap shot at Sara Palin. As this man doesn't have a history of such, I have wondered if he was indeed counseled to be an ass to Ms. Palin-in the guise of a hard hitting interview. Perhaps it's just a gut feeling, but Charlie looked very uncomfortable interviewing Palin. Maybe we will read about his years at ABC, true reasons for leaving, and...who ordered the hit on Sara, in his new book. I'm certain there is one coming soon.

By Gloria

Charles Gibson was the only ABC anchor who could replace Peter Jennings! I was a faithful viewer of World News - I could rely on getting professional news reporting.

By dineyj46

Monah are you kidding? The media is how Barack Obama got elected!

By Rickieg

I couldn't agree with you more, except for the fact, media was in the tank for obama and got him elected. Media in the past, has made and broken stars. Hopefully the next time, American's can make a non media, individual decision on what is good for our country.

By TLPeaches2009

Let's talk about Whitney Houston. I don't know who all saw her performance this morning on Good Morning American, but it was lest than a Whitney Houston perfomance from back in the day. The voice is gone. I was disappointed in her camp for convencing her that she could make a come back. Someone once told me that, "you know when you are in the prescence of a lady because she knows when it's time to leave". Whitney it time to leave! Let go and let God. I admit that having yor Mom there to watch your performance was touching, but the reality of it all is that, I didn't fall for it. I think it's time to move on Whitney. Find yourself another avenue to pursue. You have pleanty of experience in the entertainment business. But the singing career in my opinion is over.

By Bob

There is a large number of, while well educated, ignorant people that will still be led by the media and their opinion of the story which is usually only part of the story.

By Cherie

Moriah, you are SO right on. I also hope you're correct in that we WON'T be led by the media. They don't seem to be a reliable source for anything these days.

By Benjamin

Sorry, buddy you were led by the media with the McCain/Obama election...the media made McCain and Palin look bad and gave Obama huge passes on his controversial ties and Biden could do no wrong.

Your right on target with that statement!

By zapperz

I stopped watching old charlie cause of the mean spirited interview with palin, he is in Obama's shorts just like NBC, MSNBC and CNN

By MOMMA HUTCH

Charlie is the best hope he is leaving on his own and not forced out like Jay

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