“ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ was the place for the biggest musical artists in 2008,” brags a press release put out by the network today. Notably, 26 of the Billboard Top 100 albums were “launched” on the program.
The big get (and biggest album of the year) went to the big comeback of Britney Spears. But with the big get came some controversy — beginning with her first single “Womanizer” premiering on 20/20, the network was accused of acquiescing to the pop star’s demands for a no interview appearance and no close-up, lip-synced performance when she came to GMA earlier this month.
Also in the release — a glance at the top celebrity sit-downs for the program throughout the year.
Click continued to see the full release…
ABC’s “Good Morning America” was the place for the biggest musical artists in 2008. According to Billboard’s Top 100 Album Chart (for the most recent week of December 20,) “Good Morning America” was the morning destination where 26 of the top stars launched their albums. (full list below.) The Emmy-award winning morning program brings its audience the latest in pop, rock, hip-hop, country, R&B as well as classical and opera live from its Times Square Studio and from Bryant Park, home of the GMA summer concert series.
Not only was “Good Morning America” the venue for music’s hottest stars, Hollywood biggest and brightest stars came to shine at “GMA” Throughout 2008, “GMA” featured exclusive interviews with Harrison Ford and Cate Blanchett (“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”) to Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman for “Australia” and most recently, Jennifer Aniston (“Marley & Me”) Will Smith (“Seven Pounds”) Adam Sandler (“Bedtime Stories”) and Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis for “Doubt.” A cast that was recently recognized with Golden Globe nominations for their roles in the movie.
In addition to music and movies, “Good Morning America” introduced its audience to the best of the best from the literary world. In 2008, “GMA” interviewed many authors from the worlds of fiction, non-fiction and biography, including: Hershel Walker (“Breaking Free”) marking the first time Walker had spoken about his multiple personality disorder; the famed Sidney Poitier (“Letters To My Granddaughter”); Patricia Cornwell (“The Front” and “Scarpetta”); Stephanie Meyer (“Breaking Dawn”); Victoria Osteen (“Love Your Life”) and Whoopi Goldberg (“Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Plum Fantastic”) Just to name a few!
The Emmy Award-winning morning news program is anchored by Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts. Chris Cuomo is the news anchor and Sam Champion is the weather anchor. The morning news program airs live from 7:00am to 9:00am/EDT on the ABC Television Network. Jim Murphy is the senior executive producer and Tom Cibrowski is the executive producer of ABC News’ “Good Morning America.”
Billboard Top 100 Albums (week of December 20)
1 — Britney Spears / Circus
2 — Taylor Swift / Fearless
4 — Kanye West / 808’s & Heartbreak
8 — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
10 — David Cook / David Cook
12 — Il Divo / Promise
17 — Martina McBride for Elvis Presley Christmas Duets
22 — The Jonas Brothers / Little Bit Longer
23 — Miley Cyrus / Breakout
26 — Rascal Flatts / Greatest Hits Vol 1
29 — Yo Yo Ma & Friends / Songs of Joy and Peace
31 — Kid Rock / Rock N Roll Jesus
32 — Taylor Swift / Bonus Tracks
33 — Andrea Bocelli / Incanto
34 — Sugarland / Love on the Inside
42 — Kenny Chesney / Lucky Old Sun
53 — Carrie Underwood / Carnival Ride
55 — Camp Rock
57 — Leona Lewis / Spirit
69 — The Jonas Brothers — The Jonas Brothers
72 — Jennifer Hudson / Jennifer Hudson
74 — Stephen Colbert / Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All
75 — David Foster / The Hit Man David Foster and Friends
79 — James Taylor / Covers
80 — Demi Lovato / Don’t Forget
83 — Brad Paisley / Play