That should be the new title of ABC's morning news show, Good Morning America. To help celebrate the program's 30th anniversary, ABC began airing GMA in HDTV today. (It's the first network news show to broadcast in high-def.)
And the debut episode was a 120-minute infomercial for the high-def industry. Viewers were treated to dazzling, panoramic HD shots of American treasures such as The Grand Canyon, The Brooklyn Bridge and The Washington Monument. The GMA hosts repeatedly gushed that the pictures were unlike anything they had ever seen. And weekend co-host Bill Weir provided a five-minute feature on the basics of high-def.
Every TV electronics store in the country should get a copy of the show and run it 24 hours a day. It would sell more HDTVs than anything they're doing now.
Of course, the GMA HD production was not without flaws. For instance:
GMA in The Red Light District!
The program's new set, designed specially for the HD broadcast, featured a hideous array of garish red colors and lights, with a large American flag in the background. It looked like the set was decorated by a patriotic prostitute. It was part Bunker Hill and part French Quarter. I half expected Diane Sawyer to come out at some point wearing a red white and blue garter belt.
Watt's Up?
During one news break, reporter Nick Watt began a piece on the Royal Visit in DC by standing in front of the wading pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The shot was in HDTV, but Watt looked like he was in a studio somewhere; his image didn't seem like it belonged with the backdrop. I'm told that the reporter was on site, but it sure didn't look like it. It must have been a production glitch. Mercifully, Watt's piece did not include high-def shots of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles. If they ever appear in high-def, I'll want a Redcoat to put over my eyes.
Hello, News; Goodbye HDTV
Whenever co-host Robin Roberts began her twice hourly news updates, the camera suddenly went non HD. I assume it's because the network had to send a non-HD feed for some reason. But who knows? It just seemed weird.
For Better or Worse
Now, as we always do, here's Swanni's look at who and what looks better -- or worse -- in high-def, as compared to the regular analog broadcast.
Better
New York
Several segments of GMA's 30th anniversary, including a live concert by Carlos Santana, was filmed outside on the streets of New York. And the city looked great in high-def, bustling with energy and vivid colors. It made me want to book a trip for the weekend.
Diane Sawyer
Sawyer will turn 60 next month, but she's still a babe. In high-def, she looks 10 years younger, although her eyes are a bit puffy and gray underneath. In fact, at one point during the show, she pointed to her eyes and said that you could tell in HDTV if she stayed up late the night before. But that's okay. Here's one guy who wouldn't mind staying up with her.
America
The occasional shots of American landmarks were absolutely gorgeous. The travel industry had to be happy with this show.
Worse
Charles Gibson
The affable co-host doesn't look that bad, but in high-def, he looks every one of his 62 years. And he could lose a few pounds, particularly around his face. I haven't seen jowls like that since Richard Nixon.( Who Diane Sawyer used to work for; maybe she likes guys with jowls.)
Joan Lunden
The former GMA host came back to celebrate the show's 30th anniversary. Yeech. It looked like she put on her make-up with a pumpkin. Her face had a dirty-looking orange tan while her hands were remarkably white. Bad make-up job or another victim of a fake tanning solution?
David Hartman
Lunden's former partner, the 70-year-old Hartman, also showed up as a guest. And, frankly, I just don't have the heart to describe what I saw. But ABC, if Mr. Hartman ever returns, please move that camera back. No, further back. A little more...Ok, thank you.
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Note: Video screen captures provided by Barry Peters at Barry-Peters.com
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