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Tag: Good Morning America

  • Michael Strahan to Join ‘Good Morning America’

    Michael Strahan may soon be joining the cast of Good Morning America according to unnamed sources with knowledge of ABC’s plans for the flagship morning show.

    Strahan currently co-hosts the network’s Live with Kelly and Michael, which runs right after GMA.

    On Wednesday, Strahan assured Live viewers that he wouldn’t be leaving cohost Kelly Rippa’s side anytime soon: “I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here on Live, okay?”

    He did, however, confirm he’s been talking with network executives about joining GMA, adding that “I don’t think I could do an everyday thing.”

    Strahan, who played for the New York Giants from 1993-2007, would appear during the first hour of GMA, an arrangement that would afford him plenty of time to make it to the Live studio. GMA airs from 7:00 am and Live at 9:00 am.

    GMA is currently coanchored by Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos. Amy Robach is news anchor, Lara Spencer is lifestyle anchor, and Ginger Zee is weather forecaster.

    The addition of Strahan to the GMA cast would balance out the male-female ratio.

    Josh Elliott left his role as news anchor for NBC Sports just last week and Sam Champion left for The Weather Channel in December after seven years as GMA’s weather anchor.

    In a staff memo regarding Robach’s succession of Elliott as news anchor, ABC News president Ben Sherwood wrote “In the days ahead, there will be more good news on the show, so stay tuned.”

    The network announced on March 24 that Sherwood would replace Anne Sweeney as Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney/ABC Television Group effective February 2015.

    In the press release, Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger cited Sherwood’s success with GMA:

    “Ben is one of those unique executives who combine rich creative experience with great business acumen. He’s also focused, strategic, and competitive, as evidenced by the success of GMA, the Yahoo deal that delivered ABC News online dominance, and his vision behind our new cable and digital joint venture, Fusion. These reasons, and many others, make Ben the ideal candidate to oversee the future of the Disney/ABC Television Group.”

    As of the end of March, industry sources ranked GMA as the number one morning news program for the second straight year in both total viewers and adult viewers age 25-54.

    Image via YouTube

  • Amy Robach Replaces Josh Elliott on ‘GMA’

    Amy Robach Replaces Josh Elliott on ‘GMA’

    Amy Robach is Josh Elliott’s replacement on Good Morning America. The changing of the guard took place on Monday. Josh Elliott accepted a job with NBC Sports, as his contract with GMA draws to a close. He was actually enjoying a pre-arranged vacation day on Monday, so George Stephanopoulos made the announcement on the show.

    “He is going back to his roots, reporting on the NFL and the Olympics on NBC Sports,” Stephanopoulos said. “He let us know last night, and, Josh, it has been a great run with you here on GMA. We’re very happy you’re going to be pursuing your passion.”

    Amy Robach, who recently leaned on GMA’s Robin Roberts for support during her breast cancer ordeal, is no stranger to the anchor desk at Good Morning America.

    “It feels so natural because Amy has been such a big part of our family for so many days filling in during Robin [Roberts’] illness,” Stephanopoulos said.

    GMA’s Lara Spencer alluded to the fact that George was now in a serious minority, being the last male co-host on Good Morning America.

    “The estrogen is flowing,” she joked.

    Amy Robach wished Josh Elliott the very best, saying the two had become good friends since she came to the show.

    “The second phone call I got last night was from Josh, congratulating me,” she said. “I congratulated him. We’ve all become such dear friends, and we will remain so. I want to wish him the very best on his new path and his new career.”

    Later when Stephanopoulos threw to Robach for her first update of the news, he mentioned that he hoped this would be the first of many tosses to her.

    “Thank goodness I’ve ridden this bicycle before,” Robach said.

    Amy Robach has ridden that bicycle and more in recent months and all of her experiences will no doubt make her well equipped for the position she has just earned.

    Do you think Amy makes a good addition to the GMA team?

    Image via YouTube

  • Lara Spencer to Stay at ‘Good Morning America’

    Lara Spencer has finalized plans to stay at Good Morning America on a long-term basis.

    “You know you’re in the right job when getting up at 4 a.m. is a joy,” said Spencer in a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter. “This was a simple decision; I love what I do, and I adore the people I work with. I am thrilled to be on this team and look forward to many more years.”

    ABC Senior Vice President Jeffrey Schneider is thrilled.

    “We couldn’t be happier,” he said. “Lara is a uniquely gifted anchor at the top of her game. She brings so much energy, fun and smarts to every single broadcast. She is beloved by our viewers with good reason.”

    Spencer has been the show’s lifestyle anchor since back in 2011, and has represented Good Morning America at several big events like the Academy Awards. She also hosts a show on HGTV where she hunts for and restores treasures found at flea markets all around the country. Her two worlds often collide.

    “Lara is a talented producer who has created terrific original content,” Schneider added. “And we expect that she will continue to flex those muscles in the coming years.”

    No word has leaked yet on what Lara Spencer’s new GMA contract might be worth. Good Morning America has been ranked as the top morning news show for about two years now–ever since Ann Curry was fired as cohost of The TODAY Show.

    Lara’s new contract meant what is no doubt an even better one for Robin Roberts as well. Negotiations are presently underway with Josh Elliott, who has been offered a spot with NBC Sports. He has left than a month left on his ABC contract and the network would reportedly like to keep their present team together.

    What’s your take on Lara Spencer becoming a permanent GMA figure?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Robin Roberts To Serve As Guest Judge On DWTS

    There will be a new face at the judging panel on Dancing with the Stars next week!

    Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America, will be joining Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba as a guest judge on Monday, March 31.

    DWTS frequently has guest judges appear on the show, and Roberts will make the first this season. Other guests scheduled to appear are Ricky Martin, Julianne Hough, and Redfoo from LMFAO.

    Roberts recently spoke about the opportunity, saying that she was definitely nervous, but was ready to take on something different and step out of her comfort zone. “I am nervous, yet you have to step outside your comfort zone,” she said. “I think I am going to take the perspective of those who normally watch at home.”

    Roberts took to Twitter yesterday asking her followers if they had any tips for her. “Very excited/nervous about being a guest judge next week on #DWTS. If you have any tips..let me know. #Yikes!” she tweeted.

    DWTS is currently in its 18th season, and there has long been a correlation between DWTS and GMA’s ratings. When contestants from DWTS appear for interviews on the morning news show, GMA’s ratings tend to spike.

    Image via Twitter

  • Robin Roberts Will Guest Judge on “Dancing”

    Robin Roberts Will Guest Judge on “Dancing”

    It has been an eventful few months for Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts. In December, she introduced the world to her girlfriend, Amber Laign. In February, she co-hosted Red Carpet Live.

    And now, Dancing with the Stars judges announced, she will be the first celebrity guest judge to feature on the hit reality show. Now on its 18th season, DWTS has resisted the guest-judge trend for longer than many similar reality shows.

    The decision was announced on Good Morning America this past Tuesday, March 25th. Each celebrity will be asked to dance a dance that expresses the most memorable year of his or her life. Other celebrities slated to make guest appearances on the show include Julianne Hough and Ricky Martin.

    “I am… nervous,” Roberts said after regular judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Toniolo gleefully congratulated her.

    “We love guest judges,” exclaimed Inaba.

    “We’ll have great fun together,” Toniolo assured her.

    Roberts took to Twitter for advice and received plenty of encouraging responses.

    Perhaps Roberts simply felt out of practice. She last showed off her dancing skills in 2010 when she danced the cha-cha with DWTS second season contestant Maksim Chmerkovskiy after a day of training from the show.

    Watch Roberts’ debut as a guest judge on DWTS Monday, March 31st.

    Image via Youtube

  • Chelsie Hightower Talks About DWTS Week 1

    Chelsie Hightower may not be dancing as a pro on season 18 of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), but she is weighing in on all of the performances from week one.

    The ballroom dancer, who was a professional on DWTS for seasons 8 – 12, as well as seasons 14 and 15, is sizing up the contestants on a blog for ABC and on a panel with Good Morning America (GMA).

    In her blog, Hightower admits that contestant Danica McKellar is her early favorite, though she was impressed by most of the contestants.

    While she didn’t think Billy Dee Williams was a “great dancer,” she did give him some advice, “Just give it a little more energy and work on using those arms! We just want to see a little improvement every week. You got this!”

    Like many who watched the season 18 opener of DWTS, Hightower was inspired by Amy Purdy and her performance. “Amy has sterling courage to face the stiff challenge this show presents! That is not just noteworthy but absolutely inspiring to all who will watch her performances in the coming weeks,” said Hightower.

    Hightower gave positive reviews to all contestants, ending her post with, “Over-all it was an impressive ‘Dancing with the Stars’ seasonal premiere! If the opening show is any indication, and it is, this will be a strong season featuring great dancing!”

    On Tuesday morning Hightower joined former DWTS contestant Sherri Shepherd, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Josh Elliott, and Amy Robach, to further discuss the performances from the first night of season 18 of DWTS.

    Hightower took to Instagram to document her time on GMA.

    “Fun on the panel @GMA”

    “Always love seeing this woman @sherrieshepherd and getting her sweet words of advice. So much love to you Sherri!”

    Image via Chelsie Hightower, Instagram.

  • Clare Crawley Says ‘No Regrets’ for ‘Bachelor’ End

    The collective cheer could be heard across the nation when Bachelor contestant Clare Crawley told Juan Pablo Galavis exactly what she thought of him.

    Crawley, who believed she was getting engaged to JP, was blindsided when he told her she was not “the one” — not that any of the girls were “the one” for the evasive Juan Pablo who has yet to publicly declare his love for the winner, Nikki Ferrell.

    When JP tried to come in for the consolation hug once he dumped her, Clare put her hand up to him, pushing him away.

    Her parting words were, “I would never want my children having a father like you.”

    In typical JP style, once she was out of earshot, he mumbled under his breath, “Whew, I’m glad I didn’t pick her,”

    Some of us are still ticked at his reaction.

    Crawley told Good Morning America Monday that she wouldn’t change a thing about her reaction or the outcome of the show.

    “The greatest thing is that I have zero regrets,” said Crawley. “I went into this feeling I’m going to be 100 percent open and I’m going to be 100 percent myself and I’m going to think about what I do and, because I thought and then acted, I’m proud of that.”

    Crawley, 32, said she was “falling in love” with Galavis during the taping, but harbored doubts even up to the final rose ceremony.

    “Because of the conversation we had in the helicopter, there was that doubt in my mind,” Crawley said, referring to the pair’s final date during which Galavis apparently said some sexual comments that didn’t sit well with Crawley.

    “I’m shocked,” Clare later said. “He chose to tell me something that no woman wants to hear. That he doesn’t know me and some sexual thing I don’t want to repeat. It was insulting and it was offensive.”

    Crawley didn’t repeat the words Galavis said to her, but a source told Us Weekly he used crude language.

    “He said, ‘I love [expletive] you but I don’t know you,’” the source said.

    “Going into the final rose ceremony, I felt like I’ve been here the whole time and said that I would follow through to the end and I just figured I’m going to be there and no matter what happens, I’m going to say how I feel,” Crawley said.

    Galavis has been so vilified by the media that he agreed to appear on the cover of People magazine under the headline, “I’m Not the Bad Guy,” in order to give his version of the situation.

    Crawley says, despite Galavis’ efforts to clear his name, the reality show actually did show the “real” Galavis.

    “As short of a time period as we get to see on TV, I think your true personality kind of comes through in the end,” she said. “I think mine did and I think his did as well.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Cross-Eyed Cat is the Newest Internet Viral Star

    Cats and babies always seem to go viral pretty quickly on the internet.

    Well the new cat on the block is Jarvis P. Weasley, the cross-eyed cat.

    Oakland resident Daria Kelly, 51, rescued Jarvis from the city’s animal services shelter in 2009 when he was just a kitten. She was volunteering at Saving Grace Rescue Inc. and the local humane society.

    Kelly — who is studying to become a veterinary technician — named her kitty after a rock star Jarvis Cocker and Harry Potter character, Ron Weasley.

    “I had another cat that had an extreme surgery and I contacted a pet photographer to take pictures of her,” Kelly told GoodMorningAmerica.com. “He came over and took pictures of her and one day I sent him a picture of Jarvis and he loved it.”

    “He sent it to his friend who runs Lovemeow.com and she ran an article last year and then a news agency found the article just this month and contacted me,” Kelly said.

    According to Kelly, her friends had been trying to get her to host a Facebook page for Jarvis for years.

    “I’m like, ‘I’m going to school. I’m taking care of cats. I don’t have time to social network my cat,’” Kelly said she told her friends.

    Jarvis told GMA about her first encounter with Jarvis at Saving Grace Rescue Inc. when he had a severe upper respiratory infection.

    “I would watch him and he was just the happiest and cutest kitten, even with snot coming out of his nose and his eyes dripping,” Kelly said.

    “After the other sick kittens I was fostering went back for adoption, I snagged Jarvis to foster but I knew he was never going back,” she said. “He was just adorable and his personality is so strong.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Jessa Duggar Could Start Courting Trend

    Jessa Duggar made waves with the announcement of her courtship last year with beau Ben Seewald, prompting most Americans to ask, “What’s courtship?”

    Now she has begun talking about what it’s really like, opening the eyes of a new generation to the time-tested process.

    Jessa and her sister explained on Good Morning America that courting is “a new season of life. It’s exciting. We call it dating with a purpose and not just frivolous, really considering the person as a potential life partner.”

    This is truly a new concept in this generation of casual hook-ups and marriage decline. However, with new teen celebrities making waves like Sadie Robertson, Kolby Koloff, and Jessa Duggar, perhaps the tide could be turned. Is this the beginning of a new conservative generation?

    Would today’s teens turn away from casual dating in favor of a more serious approach? Jessa’s sister Jill thinks courting is a better way to meet Mr. Right. She is encouraging young women to look deeper than looks or money to find their perfect match and not waste time on a relationship that could end with a broken heart and a lost sense of self.

    Her advice is to ask some vital questions when cosidering who to enter courtship with, like “Is he going to be a good father? Is he slow to anger?”.

    The girls and their parents set rules for courtship which almost completely omit any physical contact, according to Fox 411. “I think we’re saving like hand holding and that stuff more for engagement and we’re saving our first kiss for our wedding day,” Jessa explained.

    The trend toward a more wholesome life experience is absolutely encouraging as a mother, but can today’s tweens and teens ditch dating for an old-fashioned idea like courtship? Time will tell on this one!

    Image via YouTube

  • Sam Champion Feels Betrayed By Fellow GMA Hosts

    Weatherman Sam Champion recently scored a new TV gig with The Weather Channel, and left his longtime job at ABC’s Good Morning America, but it was his recent appearance on Piers Morgan Live that has people talking.

    The 52 year old said he doesn’t get the whole gay marriage debate at all, and he’s confused why someone would oppose gay marriage so harshly. And when Morgan asked him where he sees the gay marriage debate going in the next decade, Champion said the following:

    “Piers, I hope it’s just a regular conversation,” he said. “I hope you’re able in this country and really in the world, why shouldn’t you be, to proudly talk about the person that you’re in love with, that you share your life with and have no one bat an eye.”

    In addition, the weather guru said he could care less about who chooses to be together, because if the union is about two people being in love, then nobody should have a problem with it.

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    “I cannot imagine being unhappy for someone who is in love,” stated Champion. “I just can’t. It’s beyond me. It’s an argument I can’t even launch to make because I don’t understand the other side.”

    And another thing that Champion doesn’t understand are the accusations by some that he’s difficult to work with, and that he left Good Morning America for the Weather Channel solely for money. And it hurt him that some of these things were allegedly said by his former Good Morning America co-hosts.

    “Sam was with ABC for 25 years,” revealed an inside source. “When he did the goodbye show at GMA he felt good about walking out the door, but then came these digs by people that throughout his career he would have called friends and he doesn’t understand why, or what’s in it for anybody.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Bindi Irwin, Steve Irwin’s Daughter, Facing Backlash For SeaWorld Partnership

    After all of the problems that SeaWorld has had since the release of the groundbreaking documentary Blackfish, it is surprising that someone like Bindi Irwin would want to be involved with the organization in any way.

    Bindi Irwin is the 15-year-old daughter of the late Steve Irwin, who spent his life working with wild animals, and eventually died while on the job. She recently appeared on Good Morning America, along with her brother and mother, in order to announce that she would be partnering with SeaWorld as their youth ambassador.

    The Irwin family was interviewed by Robin Roberts on the show, and while people watching it may certainly have been thinking it, the controversial practices revolving around the dangers of keeping orcas captive was not discussed during the interview.

    Bindi’s work with SeaWorld will include an initiative called Generation Nature, which she says is “all about encouraging kids to get involved and be game-changers for wildlife in wild places.” Given that whales at SeaWorld are no longer in a wild place, the amusement park may be an odd location for this type of an initiative.

    After losing their reputation for most people as an attractive place for families to go, and expose their kids to the entertainment that the whales provide, perhaps this is SeaWorld’s effort to get people back on their side.

    However, some people are certainly able to see past this, and her partnership with the park that has been dubbed an “abusement park,” has received great backlash from animal rights groups such as PETA. A petition has been started already in order to urge Bindi Irwin not to collaborate with SeaWorld.

    In a strong statement from PETA, the organization said “What millions have realized—through PETA’s massive campaign and the hit documentary Blackfish—is that SeaWorld is no place for anyone who truly cares about animals. Bindi’s talk-show appearances are just a flimsy last-ditch effort by an abusement park hoping to make a buck.”

    The SeaWorld organization has been boycotted by a large number of celebrities, including several musical acts such as Martina McBride, REO Speedwagon and more, who were booked to play a concert series. They all backed out after being petitioned by animal rights activists and ordinary citizens, who told them not to perform there.

    With what her dad did on his show, people could think that she is actually in support of the animals, but if that were the case, why is she choosing to align her self with SeaWorld after everything that has been going on with them in the past year?

    Bindi Irwin seems to have positive intentions in wanting to educate kids about wild animals, and even describing the kids as the next generation that needs to change the world. Is it possible that she was somehow shielded from the attention that Blackfish drew to SeaWorld in the past year?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Bindi Irwin: Making a Splash, Ruffling Feathers

    Bindi Irwin is holding her own in the world of wildlife conservation. Her famous dad, the late Steve Irwin, would be proud of his daughter in her efforts but would he agree with her latest venture?

    Bindi has just joined up with SeaWorld and is catching a lot of fire from those who, you know, like to harass 15-year-olds for trying to save animals.

    The sweet native Australian appeared on Good Morning America Thursday with her mother, Terri, and brother, Robert. She was happy to announce her new partnership, according to Australia’s AAP.

    “I’m thrilled to be partnered up with SeaWorld,” Bindi said. “Thrilled to be part of this new project Generation Nature and just encouraging kids to change the world.” She added that she was “excited to be carrying on in Dad’s footsteps” and she also urged viewers to log on to seaworldkids.com, which is full of great info and educational games for kids.

    However, some find her enthusiasm…misplaced. And they don’t mind sharing.

    Aaaand there’s always this guy,

    SeaWorld on the other hand, is excited to have Bindi on board,

    “We are proud to partner with Bindi Irwin in a program that couples the world’s most incredible young conservationist with the passionate wildlife experts at SeaWorld,” SeaWorld spokesperson Becca Bides said. “SeaWorld has been a global leader in education, conservation and animal care for 50 years. We are excited to join forces with Bindi as we continue to educate and encourage kids to take part in helping to save wildlife.”

    Is this new partnership between Bindi and SeaWorld a great way to raise wildlife conservation awareness in a new generation? Or a simple ploy by SeaWorld to clean up it’s image after the Blackfish fiasco?

    Image via Twitter

  • Jennie Garth Opens Up About Tell-All Book

    Jennie Garth Opens Up About Tell-All Book

    On Wednesday, Jennie Garth stopped by Good Morning America to discuss her new tell-all book Deep Thoughts From a Hollywood Blonde.

    The former Beverly Hills 90210 star revealed a lot of personal details in her new book, including how she handled her divorce from her husband, of 11 years, Peter Facinelli.

    GMA’s Lara Spencer asked Garth why she wanted to open up about her life now, to which Garth replied, “It was something I hadn’t done and I wanted to take the challenge.”

    “You’re so open and honest in the book, you talk about your split from your now ex-husband, you talk about your dad’s passing,” Spencer said. “Hard for you to let go, or cathartic?”

    “In some ways cathartic and very eye-opening for myself in a good way to sort of take a look and see how my life has progressed,” Garth explained. “All the things that have sort of happened and how they’ve molded me into the person that I am today.”

    As for her time spent on 90210, Garth says that she had a great time and great experiences. She explains that many of her cast mates became like brothers and sisters, including her love interest on the show Luke Perry.

    “We had a great time, what an experience,” Garth said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But in some ways I missed out on a lot things, but in a lot of ways I was very lucky. Some of us really are like brothers and sisters,” Garth continued. “And we’re always there for each other. Very close.”

    When Garth finalized her divorce last year, rumors started circulating that she and Perry were an item. Fans remained hopeful that their favorite couple would finally live happily ever after. However, Garth reveals that he is simply “like a brother” to her. “It’s just Kelly and Dylan, people just have this image in their mind,” she explained. “Our fans are so loyal from that show, and we’re so grateful.”

    Image via Twitter

  • Lea Michele Says Cory Was Not His Addiction

    Lea Michele continues to open up about the loss of her love — Cory Monteith — who lost a battle with addiction in July.

    The 27-year-old Glee star shared more on her relationship with Monteith and stresses that her boyfriend was much more than his struggles.

    “I only have happy memories of Cory. He was not his addiction – unfortunately, it won,” she said in the April 2014 cover story for Seventeen Magazine. “But that wasn’t who he was. Cory made me feel like a queen every day. From the minute he said, ‘I’m your boyfriend,’ I loved every day, and I thank him for being the best boyfriend and making me feel so beautiful.”

    On a Good Morning America Wednesday, Michele told George Stephanopoulos she couldn’t have made it through her grief without the support of friends and family.

    “I’m really very, very, very thankful for all the amazing people I have in my life,” Michele said. “I know that sounds like something everyone says, but honestly, my friends and my family, they got me through this and really, really have been there for me and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

    The 27-year-old actress — who just released her first solo studio album Louder — took the opportunity to pour out her heart and her grief into the album.

    “I set out to make a really pop-heavy album that was fun and empowering, but then I found myself picking and writing these songs that were very emotional and dramatic,” Michele said. “Louder has songs that express extreme love and some pain. I look at it and think, That was my year. I didn’t record any songs that I didn’t completely relate to.”

    One of the songs on the album — If You Say So — tells the story of her final conversation with Monteith before his death that is just heartbreaking.

    Image via Twitter, Sarah Potempo

  • Lea Michele On Her New Solo Album ‘Louder’

    Lea Michele On Her New Solo Album ‘Louder’

    Lea Michele, 27, has had a lot to overcome this year after losing her boyfriend Cory Monteith to a drug overdose last summer.

    While things still aren’t easy for Lea, she is learning how to move forward, and has even been working on a new solo album Louder that was released today. During an interview with Good Morning America, Michele explains that she could not have made it this far without the love and support of her family and friends.

    “I’m really very, very, very thankful for all the amazing people I have in my life,” the Glee star revealed to ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “I know that sounds like something everyone says, but honestly, my friends and my family, they got me through this and really, really have been there for me and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

    Michele’s new album has been compared to reading someone’s diary, and she says that is exactly what she was going for; an album that told the story of her life.

    “That’s really what I sought out to do when making this record,” Lea explained. “Moving to Los Angeles from working on Broadway I was cast on ‘Glee’ within just a few weeks, so I really was introduced to the world as Rachel Berry. I wanted to take this opportunity in making this record to really let my fans know who I am, and I think the music should be personal,” she continued.

    With Glee ending after this coming season, fans are curious as to what Lea will be using all of her spare time for. She admitted that she would someday like to go back to her Broadway roots. “I was so surprised with how much I fell in love with this recording process in making this album and I definitely want to make another one,” she explained. “So once I feel like I’ve scratched that itch completely, Broadway is definitely where my heart is.”

    Image via Twitter

  • Candace Cameron Bure Joins Cast of DWTS

    Candace Cameron Bure has joined the cast of celebrities who will compete on Season 18 of Dancing with the Stars.

    The new cast of celebrities for the new season was revealed on Good Morning America Tuesday by host Tom Bergeron and his new partner Erin Andrews.

    The Full House star joins a slew of other great names to compete on the ballroom floor, including Charlie White and Meryl Davis, the ice dancing pair who won the gold medal at the Sochi Olympics.

    Ironically, DWTS pro Derek Hough choreographed the pair’s short routine for the Olympics.

    “I think we’re excited for a little healthy competition,” Davis told Lara Spencer about competing against his partner.

    Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy is also joining the cast and will be paired with Hough.

    The 34-year-old activist and former Amazing Race competitor is the first contestant with two prosthetic legs to compete on DWTS. Purdy’s legs were amputated below the knee due to a form of bacterial meningitis when she was 19 years old.

    As for Candace, she is already Tweeting away with excitement.

  • Boy Asks Robin Roberts for Help Finding a Donor

    A young boy with sickle cell anemia reached out to Robin Roberts for help finding a bone marrow donor. When he was twenty months old, Joshua Biyoyouwei had a severe stroke that left him with weakness on the left side of his little body, according to ABC.

    In order to try to prevent another life-threatening stroke, Josh has been going to Children’s Medical Center Dallas every 4-6 weeks for lengthy and sometimes painful blood transfusions.

    Joshua’s mother, Vera Johnson, and Josh sent a heart-warming video to Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts to ask for her help in finding a bone marrow donor. They have been searching for 4 years and have yet to find a match, which would provide a cure for his sickle cell anemia and allow him to live his life as a normal little boy.

    Roberts spearheaded an effort with Be the Match to increase blood marrow donations after her struggle, inspiring more than 65,000 people to join the Be The Match Registry.

    According to Josh’s doctor, Timothy McCavit, this is the best chance for him.

    “These blood vessels in his brain where his stroke occurred have continued to narrow,” McCavit said. “We believe the transplant really offers him the best chance to not have a life-threatening stroke.”

    The nurses at Children’s Medical Center Dallas all dote on Josh, but would rather not see him come in month after month.

    “I think Joshua has a huge heart,” said Shelley Bernhard, a nurse. “You know, the things that we have to do, sometimes, are not the most fun. Starting an IV, having to sit in a chair for four hours but, I mean, he just loves it when you come in the room, loves the interaction.”

    The love in Josh’s mom’s voice is heartbreaking. “Robin, many people listen to you,” Johnson said in the YouTube video to Roberts. “Have a voice for us to find a match for Joshua or kids like him.”

    “Please help me find my match,” said Joshua.

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Son of God’: Jesus Remains, Satan is Cut

    ‘Son of God’: Jesus Remains, Satan is Cut

    The New Testament story of Jesus Christ will once again hit the big screens on February 28th. This time it has taken a different approach to Mel Gibson’s 2004 film The Passion of the Christ, which focused more on the final moments of Jesus in Jerusalem up until his torture and crucifixion.

    The movie Son of God, however, will go more in depth about the birth of Jesus, his teachings, execution, and resurrection.

    According to a synopsis on the film’s official website, this is an experience you would not want to miss:

    Told with the scope and scale of an action epic, the film features powerful performances, exotic locales, dazzling visual effects and a rich orchestral score from Oscar®-winner Hans Zimmer.

    For leading actor Diogo Morgado, conducting a little research prepared him for his role as Jesus.

    The 6’2, Portugal-native portrayed Jesus once before in The History Channel’s Emmy nominated miniseries The Bible. As a Christian, Morgado’s new cameo gave him the opportunity to learn even more about his faith just by observing his surroundings.

    While visiting the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Morgado told Good Morning America Wednesday that he encountered an experience that put everything into perspective.

    He expressed how his portrayal of the Biblical leader inspires him to educate people, but especially children:

    I saw this father and a young kid, they were praying. And I stood for like two hours there. By the time I left, they were still praying and I realized whatever I was about to do would be connectinore with that kid than his father. We live in a visual world now. Kids can learn a lot by seeing things rather than reading it. So I really understood the responsibility…

    There’s a lot of people out there. A lot of kids, especially. They don’t know who exactly Jesus was. So, this is actually a tool that can teach these kids about why Jesus was who he was and why the Bible was the most important book.

    Well, one character that will be standing on the sidelines this time around is Satan.

    Film producer Roma Downey made sure to edit out any scenes involving the villain due to negative feedback regarding the appearance of Satan in The Bible, which critics said uncannily resembled President Barack Obama.

    Below is a Fox News coverage about the controversy: 

    Downey and her husband, who were also executive producers of the miniseries, decided to cut actor Mehdi Ouzaani from the 2013 TV special. In response to the controversy, they also released statements asserting that the Moroccan actor “previously played parts in several Biblical epics — including satanic characters long before Barack Obama was elected as our president.”

    Now, with another chance to redeem their filmmaking reputation, yanking Satan out of the equation may be the way to go (cough, cough).

    “It gives me great pleasure to tell you that the devil is on the cutting-room floor,” Downey told The Hollywood Reporter. “This is now a movie about Jesus, the son of God, and the devil gets no more screen time.”

    Well, I think that The Passion of the Christ will always be one of the most superb Christian films about Jesus. Therefore, I may just pass on this one UNLESS reviews direct me otherwise.

    However, the film Noah, which will recreate one of the Bible’s most catastrophic events, seems very interesting. Honestly, why would you not want to see a big wooden boat fight against a colossal rainfall as God wipes out the earth with a flood?

    What are your thoughts? Do you think that the portrayal of Jesus will be the same without his foe being in the mix?

    Here is the trailer to Son of God:

    Image via YouTube

  • Robin Roberts To Host Oscar Red Carpet Show

    The Academy Awards are quickly approaching, and ABC has revealed their lineup of the Oscar red carpet pre-show, Red Carpet Live, hosts.

    This list includes Good Morning America hosts Robin Roberts and Lara Spencer, actor and model Tyson Beckford, and the editorial director of PEOPLE magazine and Entertainment Weekly.

    The announcement was made during Monday morning’s episode of Good Morning America. The event will kick off on Sunday, March 2 at 7 p.m. ET.

    Roberts, who fought a hard battle against cancer last year, has hosted the pre-show four previous times. This year will make her fourth.

    Roberts, Lara, and the rest of the crew will be stationed outside of Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland, and will have the opportunity to speak with all of the celebrities, as they make their way into the building.

    After the announcement was made, on Good Morning America, Roberts took to her personal Twitter account to share her enthusiasm with her fellow hosts. “Hey @JessCagleEW , Hey @TysonCBeckford! @LaraSpencer and I look forward to sharing the red carpet with you at the Oscars. #RedCarpetLive,” she tweeted.

    Ellen DeGeneres will be hosting this year’s Academy Awards, which marks her second time.

    Image via Twitter

  • Elizabeth Vargas Speaks Out: “I Am an Alcoholic”

    ABC News anchor Elizabeth Vargas is embarking on a new journey, and its alcohol-free. On Friday, Jan. 24, the 51-year-old television journalist returned to TV for the first time since her stint in rehab last fall for alcoholism, says Hollywood Reporter. 

    In an interview with Good Morning America, Vargas publicly acknowledged her addiction, revealing how exhausting it has been to conceal the problem for so long.

    “I am. I am an alcoholic,” she told GMA co-anchor George Stephanopoulos. “The amount of energy I expended keeping that secret and keeping this problem hidden from view was exhausting,” she said.

    “Even to admit it to myself was admitting, I thought, that I was a failure,” said Vargas. “It took me a long time to admit that to myself,” she explained. “It took me a long time to admit it to my family, but I am.”

    She also mentioned that she’d personally conducted a number of “20/20” segments on alcoholism, but couldn’t acknowledge her own dependency.

    Vargas went on to reveal the very moment she realized she had a serious problem. The 20/20 anchor recounted one day where she was “in no shape” to even conduct an interview. She also admitted that she had a preference for wine, as a means of coping with stress levels and anxiety as her drinking “slowly escalated and got worse and worse,” she said.

    “At night I — that was a ritual,” she said.”I should’ve realized it was a problem way back when Zachary, my oldest son, was born. And he used to call my nightly glass of wine ‘mommy’s juice.’ You know, and I thought that was hysterical. It didn’t occur to me that that was a problem.”

    She also admitted to bargaining with herself as a means of justifying the problem. “I started thinking ‘Well, you know, I’ll only drink, you know, on weekends. I’ll only drink, you know, two glasses of wine a night. I won’t drink on nights before I have to get up and do Good Morning America,” Vargas recalled. “But those deals never work.”

    Back in November, Vargas announced that she would be seeking help and spent a number of weeks in a rehabilitation facility. She also tweeted that she had left rehab two weeks after the initial announcement. 

    She is proud that she’s been able to admit and deal with her problem. “I have a sponsor. I have great, great friends who I love and who love me,” she said. “Alcohol for me is no longer an option.”

    Vargas will resume her role as co-anchor on 20/20 tonight.

    Image via Facebook | Elizabeth Vargus

  • Robin Roberts Launches PSA For Bone Marrow Donation

    Robin Roberts Launches PSA For Bone Marrow Donation

    In June of 2012, “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts announced that she was suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome, and after receiving a bone marrow transplant from her sister Sally-Ann Roberts, she’s now urging everyone to be a possible bone marrow donor in two new PSAs.

    The PSAs are entitled “I Beat Cancer. Twice” and “Focus on the Fight,” and both were released on Martin Luther King Day and will run through June 30, 2014. They’re being spearheaded by the organizations Be The Match and Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) respectively.

    The CEO of Be The Match, Dr. Jeffrey W. Chell, says Roberts is the perfect person to bring more attention to cancer related causes, due to her level of celebrity and her personal fight with myelodysplastic syndrome. “Be The Match and SU2C both recognize the persuasive power of someone like Robin Roberts, who has shown outstanding leadership while fighting her own battle with cancer,” he said. “Through SU2C, the entertainment industry as a whole has become a leading voice in the fight against cancer, which makes SU2C a natural partner for Be The Match.”

    Post by Robin Roberts.

    A little bit after Christmas, Roberts took to her Facebook page to announce that she’s been cancer free for 100 days she and thanked her family as well as her doctors.

    “Flashback 12/29/12,” she wrote. “Hard to believe this was 1 year ago today when I reached a critical milestone of 100 days post transplant, and KJ was finally allowed to come back home….”I am grateful to God, my doctors and nurses for my restored good health. I am grateful for my sister, Sally-Ann, for being my donor and giving me the gift of life.”

    Lisa Paulsen, who co-founded SU2C, said the purpose of the PSAs are to empower each individual who may think they can’t make a difference fighting cancer on their own. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Robin Roberts and Be The Match,” she said in a press release. “This campaign speaks to one of the core ideas on which SU2C was founded: that every individual can make a difference in the effort to stop cancer from taking so many lives.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons