Building a Show for Viewers

When producing... it's all about who's watching. As a producer, it's important to remember you're producing for the viewer, not for you. As many of you know, Diane Sawyer is leaving Good Morning America to become the anchor for World News Tonight. Two people have been identified to "take over" if you will, her spot. The first is already on the show: Chris Coumo. The other is the host of This Week, George Stephanopoulos.

The New York Times is reporting that ABC is offering the job to Stephanopoulos and they are in talks to secure a contract. This is the part of the article that concerns me...

"If Mr. Stephanopoulos finally does accept the job, 'GMA,' which has for years revolved chiefly around Ms. Sawyer and her role on the show, will likely be reshaped in some ways to suit Mr. Stephanopoulos’s talents, which are more centered on political coverage, one executive said.

'You produce a show around the strengths of the people you have.'"

I would like to disagree with part of this.... yes, you produce a show around the strengths people have, but you also don't produce a political show in the morning. And while it might not be a political show per se, it shouldn't be tailored specifically to him. First, there is another anchor whose personality should be considered, but more importantly, take into account your viewers... Moms!

Mom's watch the network morning shows... it's lighter and easier to keep on in the background. If you want to watch politics turn on a cable network. Even their morning shows are slightly easier on the ears. When I produce, you want to choose news, but you also want to cater to your viewers. A sports lead doesn't work as well at 5 o'clock after Oprah.