GMTV (1993 - 2010)

Michelle Morrison was on the newsdesk on the Newshour, so she could have just stayed until after 8. That is what usually happens when Penny fills in on Today.

[EDIT] I still don't understand why the news hour newsreader (Michelle Morrison in this case) couldn't do the whole programme.

Ideally if they had the right setup, they could save money by having the presenters doing the news round ups at a news wall, or something, a bit sky news I know. But if both started at said wall, and did the menu, maybe followed by a short sting as the other presenter sits down, and open straight with here are this mornings headlines which they could then link to the main reporter and story (that they'd usually do before the headlines).

Don't forget, back at the start of GMTV, before Penny arrived when they quite swiftly revamped in March or April (IIRC), that's pretty much what happened. The anchors would start every hour from the table/fireplace area, intro the show, before segueing straight into news. They'd throw to weather in Birmingham and sometimes a break, before appearing over on the sofas for the rest of the show. On the half hour, one presenter would throw from the sofa to the other presenter back at the desk.

Worked well IMO - shame they changed it in some ways. Not that today's hosts would necessarily be so well suited to the setup, but then all four original anchors (Eamon/Anne/Fiona/Michael) had done straight news bulletins before GMTV.

It does need something. Even if it is just standing at the far side of the studio, looking onto the sofa, and have the GMTV Today logo form up over the vision as one walks to the sofa, and the other stays, it's a shame that they don't have that mini video wall or giant TV set anymore, I wonder why they got rid of that with the revamp.

.... and Andrew Castle should know of course that TV-am didn't "change name" to GMTV in 1993 either....

I'm sure he does but I doubt an explanation of the 1991 Franchise round was relevent at 6.14am

Anyway is this the start with Fiona in Tanzania all week, is this the start of GMTV turning an editorial corner?

It could be, it would be interesting to see what else comes up. I'm not sure that I'd like solo anchoring if that's what they're testing here.

Anyone else think that its a shame of GMTV's losses this year with the competition scandal as they could have bought the MTV Leicester Square studios, or is it just me?

Even if they kept the money - they'll never relocate!

Never is a long time. What if ITV feel a beeb vibe coming on and sell The London Television Centre?!

Great quote in Waterloo Road just now:

(Pensioner complaining to teachers about girl pupils) "We bought those raffle tickets in good faith. It's GMTV all over again!"

Nothing like a bit of friendly rivalry!

Wonder if they put that in because Shed doesn't currently have any projects on ITV? I can't see them having had the balls to write that 18 months ago, even if the scandal had broken.