TV insiders are snickering at how Lara Spencer was promoted to co-host of “GMA” on Good Friday with little fanfare.
ABC News president James Goldston announced Spencer’s new title in the sixth paragraph of an internal memo pegged to two years of “GMA” trouncing “Today” in the ratings. Goldston first touted co-host Robin Roberts as “the captain of our team” and “the heart” of “GMA” in the second paragraph. Later, he gets around to mentioning Spencer, who was not on Friday’s show.
“‘GMA’ screams announcements from the rooftops when someone stubs their toe,” sniped a source.
But ABC kept this one quiet to keep peace on set, we’re told: “When Lara re-signed her contract a while ago, she wanted to be the primary fill-in for Robin with a title higher than Amy Robach.”
“‘GMA’ announced Amy was promoted to news anchor, so ABC needed to tip its hat again to Lara.” But to keep Robin happy, ABC downplayed the news.
An ABC rep said, “We wanted to tie Lara’s news to our two years at No. 1. It’s a shame anyone would read that any other way.”