Paula Faris is leaving both “The View” and “Good Morning America Weekend” at the end of their current seasons, in order “to have time to cover stories in depth,” said ABC News president James Goldston in a memo to staff Wednesday.
“In four years at weekend ‘GMA’ and three seasons at the Hot Topics table,” Goldston wrote, “Paula has played an important role at both shows, offering an insightful and intelligent take on the big stories of the day. She’s been instrumental to their success.”
However, Faris is not actually leaving the Disney-owned broadcaster, as an individual with knowledge of Faris’ exit from “The View” and “Good Morning America Weekend” tells TheWrap she recently signed a new contract with ABC News.
The insider said the decision was Faris’, as she wants to spend more time with her family and young children (ages 10, 8 and 4 years old) on the weekends — two days she has devoted to hosting “GMA” for the last four years.
By letting go of the daytime talkshow and the weekend edition of the morning news program, the source said Faris will be able to focus on her passion for interviews and breaking news. She will continue reporting for “GMA” and make appearances on other ABC News programs, including “Nightline” and “20/20,” while she prepares to launch a podcast on faith that will “explore what unites people of all backgrounds even in these divisive times.”
There is no word yet on who will replace the host on both programs.
See Goldston’s memo in its entirety below.
Team,
I’m writing with exciting news about our colleague Paula Faris, who will take on a new role for us in the fall.
She’s expanding her reporting portfolio to cover the most consequential stories of the day, help lead the charge on breaking news and focus on key bookings. She’ll continue to be an important part of the GMA family and appear across all of ABC News, and she’s gearing up for the launch of a podcast on faith to explore what unites people of all backgrounds even in these divisive times.
To have time to cover stories in-depth, Paula will leave the weekend editions of GMA and The View at the end of this season. In four years at weekend GMA and three seasons at the Hot Topics table, Paula has played an important role at both shows, offering an insightful and intelligent take on the big stories of the day. She’s been instrumental to their success. The View is delivering its biggest audience in four years, and GMA Saturday is on pace to take the top spot for the 6th year in a row.
A versatile journalist and superb broadcaster, she’s delivered key newsmaking interviews, from Sean Spicer and Kim Davis to Tavis Smiley, and covered a wide array of events in politics, sports and entertainment, and, memorably, this year’s royal wedding.
She has a keen understanding of stories that resonate with our audience, and we’re looking forward to even more great work ahead.
We’ll plan proper send-offs for Paula at weekend GMA and The View in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, please join me in wishing Paula the best of luck in her new assignment.
James