Variety is reporting that the afternoon portion of "Good Morning America" has been rebranded. Starting with Monday's taping, the afternoon segment will be called "Strahan and Sara."
According to Variety, ABC executives see this change as part of getting “Strahan and Sara,” hosted by Michael Strahan and Sara Haines, off the ground. The show has had steady ratings, according to Variety’s sources, but is still a work in progress.
Haines left her spot on “The View” to join what was originally “GMA Day.” Strahan left “Live! with Kelly and Michael” to join the show. The former NFL defensive end also serves as an analyst on “Fox NFL Sunday.”
» Despite what you see on TV, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest are rumored to be off to a rough start
Variety’s report says “GMA” will remain part of the logo and the show will still be “part of the ‘GMA’ operation.” “Strahan and Sara” will still be taped with a live audience in the “Good Morning America” studio at ABC.
PageSix reported last November that Strahan and Haines' portion of "GMA" had lower ratings than Strahan's former colleague Kelly Ripa's "Live! with Kelly and Ryan." Ripa infamously went on strike after learning that Strahan would be exiting the show due to their strained off-screen relationship. She now hosts "Live!" with Atlanta native Ryan Seacrest.
Despite the slow start, ABC News president James Goldston told PageSix in November he felt Strahan and Haines’ show would eventually thrive.
“We’re incredibly happy with Michael and Sara and their performance on the show...Michael brings the leadership we know so well from his football days to the show — we couldn’t be in better hands.”
About the Author
