Some changes coming to “Good Morning America.” The show’s director John D’Incecco has left, and today begins his new job directing ABC daytime talker “The Chew” which premieres next month.
GMA Senior EP James Goldston announced that Jeff Winn, with whom he worked on “Nightline,” will be the new director of the ABC morning show. “Jeff will also continue in his role as Executive Director for ABC News,” writes Goldston in a note to staff, obtained by TVNewser.
The news comes as “Good Morning America” prepares to vacate the upstairs location of its Times Square studio and move into a new facility on the ground level. “It will enable us to move seamlessly from segments inside to outside, and sometimes to do segments that involve both inside and outside elements,” writes Goldston.
Earlier this year, GMA vacated the ground floor as a cost saving measure. But now that it is giving up the upstairs, they are returning downstairs.
The new studio debuts September 6.
Email from Goldston after the jump..
From: Goldston, James
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2011 5:26 PM
To: #ABCTV GMA ALL
Subject: FW:
After hundreds of shows, and thousands of hours of directing Good Morning America, John D’Incecco is leaving us to join The Chew starting tomorrow. John has been a remarkable presence on the show, directing bus trips, train trips, academy awards ceremonies, concerts, and countless breaking news events. We could not have asked for a steadier hand at the helm through times of triumph and tragedy. We wish him all the best as he joins the exciting new venture.
Jeff Winn will join GMA as its director in a week’s time. Jeff has done phenomenal work at ABC News in recent years, steering the re-launch of Nightline and directing 20/20 and many of our key special events. Jeff began his career in sports, with ESPN and ABC Sports. He is a great addition to the GMA team, and I look forward to his drive and creativity taking the show forward in the future. Jeff will also continue in his role as Executive Director for ABC News. Tony Barrett will direct next week and will continue to play a key role as we transition.
Jeff’s first task will be overseeing a significant move at Times Square. From September 6, Good Morning America will be vacating the upstairs studio and moving into a state of the art facility downstairs at TSS. I believe this is a key step as we continue to build on the relationship between the show and its audience in Times Square. It will enable us to move seamlessly from segments inside to outside, and sometimes to do segments that involve both inside and outside elements. Good Morning America operates at the crossroads of the world, and this move will enable us to truly showcase the iconic nature of our broadcast home. I welcome your ideas and your input as we re-launch the show in its new (and old) home.
James