Can't believe they're letting loose Penny Smith and effectively pushing John Stapleton aside while leaving deadwood like Ben Shepherd firmly in place. Yes, Stapleton may be near retirement age and all that, but he's the closest they've got to a credible and well experienced journalist.
Just goes to show how badly people think of ITV and how much it's news and current affairs output has declined if viewers are willingly flocking to the BBC Breakfast news.
On a similar subject, it's not just me who's annoyed at GMTV going back to fluffiness after such a great period following the revamp last year? News stories were given ample coverage and they had the mix between formality and informality just right until very recently. The same thing has happened to ITV national news since it's November 2009 rev... I mean, "re-alignment".
It's likely that the new GMTV bosses have a few more cards up their sleeve yet...and I hope to God that one of them is the return of Eamonn. He would boost the show significantly and help restore some of the seriousness that it desperately needs.
GMTV's audience research no doubt tells them that Ben is popular, but nobody I speak to seems to rate him at all: a self-obsessed, identikit presenter who lacks empathy and credibility. He's the problem and they should ditch him before the election.
Very disappointed at this news.
The bosses want a familiar face, they have one in Penny.
I agree with other posts in that Kate should have gone, she's really difficult to watch.
Bad move. Best wishes to Penny for the future.
It's likely that the new GMTV bosses have a few more cards up their sleeve yet...and I hope to God that one of them is the return of Eamonn. He would boost the show significantly and help restore some of the seriousness that it desperately needs.
GMTV's audience research no doubt tells them that Ben is popular, but nobody I speak to seems to rate him at all: a self-obsessed, identikit presenter who lacks empathy and credibility. He's the problem and they should ditch him before the election.
That's the same judgement I have, while Ben might be good to look at in the mornings, that is not what I am looking for. He was suited to Entertainment Today, and moving him to main presenter for me was one of their worst decisions. For me, from around 2000 onwards Kate and Andrew were the alternate couple between Fiona and Eammon, don't see why this didn't stay.
As for loosing Penny Smith and John being demoted, is such ashame.
It's likely that the new GMTV bosses have a few more cards up their sleeve yet...and I hope to God that one of them is the return of Eamonn. He would boost the show significantly and help restore some of the seriousness that it desperately needs.
GMTV's audience research no doubt tells them that Ben is popular, but nobody I speak to seems to rate him at all: a self-obsessed, identikit presenter who lacks empathy and credibility. He's the problem and they should ditch him before the election.
They have no decent male presenters- resigning Eamonn (and possibly even Fiona!) would definitely hit the headlines and could see a ratings boost. But it will probably never happen.
GMTV have now confirmed the news, John moves into his new role in June so I'm guessing Penny will leave around then.
Edit- yes it is in June. There will be 'a massive shake up'. It also looks like Penny took the decision to quit after they offered her a role in the revamp that obviously wasn't good enough. I'm guessing she was being demoted to full time newsreader.
This is great news. Time for a much more consistent GMTV. It is a fact that the GMTV (today) presetners are well liked in Britain (not necessarily on this forum). John is so much better at being a reporter. Also, I am thrilled that Penny is leaving with some dignity. It seems she has made this decision not GMTV (if the press reports aren't to be believed!)..
I cannot wait for the new GMTV. NOw I am just looking forward to some forumers hopefully leaking some info...????? lol
Alos, reading another users comment on here - i agree that the old set did look nice. But it was tired. I think GMTV she bin their music package and bring back an opening bed similar to the 2006 one. the only good thing about the current music packages are the closing themes imo.
The current music hasn't had a good innings yet, I hope it's kept for a while yet. It makes a nice change having an orchestral arrangement (even if it's synthesised) on the programme and it's much better than the last few ones, all of which have been rehashed and 'beefed up' versions of the 2000 package.
IMO the real changes must come to the content of the show, not the graphics or music which needn't bother changing - a few tweaks maybe, that's all. The set needs some adjustments to make it just a touch more prestigious than at the moment, if indeed they want to focus more on news than fluff.
RE: becoming 'newsier' - if this is the direction they want to go in, why have they decided to axe the Newshour?
I may be wrong. But the website states 'core presenters' will be used throughout the programme - could it be that we won't have a news presenter, and that Kate/Ben or Emma/Andrew will present the main news, much like BBC Breakfast?
I may be wrong. But the website states 'core presenters' will be used throughout the programme - could it be that we won't have a news presenter, and that Kate/Ben or Emma/Andrew will present the main news, much like BBC Breakfast?
Penny was offered a 'reduced role' which could perhaps be she was going to be the permanent newsreader or a reporter. If the former, I'd imagine that it will now be left for Helen.
I can probably see a number of scenarios - not going to predict who will leave, but what might happen and the reasons why they might leave.
Staplegun is approaching retirement age and can't get through an interview without umm-ing and err-ing. Used to be a fairly good television presenter but now comes across as a bumbling grandad who's asking questions about things he's read in the papers in a retirement home.
Penny is so wasted on GMTV. Her wit is completely lost on the majority and she'd be better off elsewhere. If she were to go - would Sky be interested again? Maybe a Penny/Eamonn 'Sunrise'? Or would they invite her to five?