Gibson to step down as anchor of ‘World News’

[Contrary1]

I suspect he never recovered fully after the Palin interview.

ABC News says Charles Gibson is retiring at the end of the year and Diane Sawyer will replace him as the anchor of “World News” in January.

Sawyer’s elevation means that, with Katie Couric, two of the three leading anchors for the broadcast networks will be women.

Gibson said he had been planning to retire at the end of 2007 but events compelled him to stay. He was named anchor following the death of Peter Jennings and the wartime injury of Bob Woodruff. He’s been at ABC News for 35 years and says he plans to continue as an occasional contributor.

“It has not been an easy decision to make,” Gibson wrote in an email to the “World News” staff. “This has been my professional home for almost 35 years. And I love this news department, and all who work in it, to the depths of my soul.”

In what respect, Charlie? :rofl:

More: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32657744/ns/entertainment-television/

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. "to the depths of my soul"??

I wasn't aware he had one. :shrug:

[graywarrior]

2. Maybe he'll lose that furrow in his brow that indicates a tight liver/gallbladder according to

Chinese medicine. I always disliked him for that.

[rurallib]

3. Wasn't he so fucking worried about his 401K that it was all he asked

about during one of the Democratic debates?
Never trusted Charlie much. That was the clincher.
ETA - elevating Sawyer means that 3 of 3 nightly newsers will be shills for corporatocrisy.

[LiberalFighter]

4. For a job that doesn't require one to do much he couldn't stay for 50 years?

or at least 40?

Geesh what a wimp.

[Kahuna]

5. One hack down, hundreds to go. nt

[hfojvt]

6. I could not find a clip from the New Hampshire debates

Gibson started saying that two professors almost make $200,000 a year and the audience exploded with laughter. I cannot believe nobody made a youtube clip of it. It was so precious.

[tularetom]

7. Lightweight being replaced by a no weight

I would say the line between news and infotainment is being crossed but that happened a long time ago with charlie.

[PA Democrat]

8. Ugh. Former Nixon staffer Diane Sawyer will replace him.

I am not a fan of Diane Sawyer.

[JaneQPublic]

9. What about Bob Woodruff?

Wasn't he in line to have the job, before he had that terrible accident while reporting in Iraq?

[monmouth]

10. I doubt this was Charlie's decision. His ratings suck, I'll bet he

was asked to take the retirement package. Just a guess here.