|
Published: September 16, 2008 08:10 pm
NIAGARA FALLS: GMA, the show within the show
By Rick Forgione E-mail Rick
Niagara Gazette
In case you missed it, here are some of the highlights from ABC’s Good Morning America Whistle-Stop Tour show broadcast from Niagara Falls State Park on Tuesday:
• Anchors Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts opened the show riding on a retrofitted Amtrak train heading west through Town of Niagara and into Niagara Falls. A video package on the stock market’s dramatic drop topped the morning news. Afterward, Sawyer pointed out the Upstate New York area has lost 85,000 jobs since 2000.
“In Western New York, the economic concerns here aren’t so much about stock dividends and annual bonuses,” Roberts said. “It’s about how am I going to make my home payment, what about my car payment, what about my weekly grocery bills?”
• GMA Weather Anchor Sam Champion presented the morning weather report stationed on Hurricane Deck beneath the falls near the Cave of the Winds. He pointed out 75,000 gallons of water goes over the falls per second and down on the deck, winds top 65 mph the same as a Category 1 hurricane. Champion also noted that Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the country.
Later in the show, Champion detailed the numerous daredevils who have attempted to go over the Falls, including Annie Taylor and Steve Trotter. The package included a visit to The Daredevil Museum in Niagara Falls and an updated interview with Trotter, now a bartender in Florida.
“Niagara Falls is the most dangerous stunt any man can ever do,” Trotter told GMA.
• The main package of the show’s first hour was taped Monday evening and detailed the economic differences between the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls. It opened with Roberts and news anchor Christopher Cuomo walking down desolate north Main Street and commenting on boarded up and closed businesses.
“It’s just totally fallen into disuse,” Cuomo commented.
In a voiceover, Sawyer pointed out the average household income in Niagara Falls was $27,000. The scene then shifted to the bright, bustling area of Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, Ont.
“Can you imagine, turning the corner, looking across the water and seeing this,” Sawyer said. “Is it Las Vegas? Is it Oz? Nope, welcome to Canada. Same river, same falls, same mist, but the average household income in Canada is almost doubled.”
Returning to this side of the border, she made a pit stop at Niagara University’s Dwyer Arena and interviewed parents and teenagers about the lack of job opportunities.
• The next segment was meant to be Cuomo talking about hydropower while being tethered in a harness near the brink of the falls at Prospect Point, but his microphone was having technical difficulties and his audio was not heard. A few other spots throughout the show featured audio difficulties, prompting Sawyer and Roberts to joke about the falls’ mist and majestic power.
n Later from Prospect Point, Champion reported on the natural beauty of the falls and local attractions. A previously recorded package highlighting the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds and wineries was aired.
• Ending the show, the crew participated in the wedding of Ohio couple Tom O’Donnell and Annette Keck, who had planned on getting married in the Falls and were chosen by GMA to have the ceremony on the show.
“They wanted the day to be spectacular and eternal, like the falls themselves,” Sawyer said.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
RN
RN, Director of Quality / Education: to plan, organize, develop and direct all staff development and CQI programs. North...>MORE
Assistant Director
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Alumni Relations (ft) sought by the Alumni Relations Department of Niagara University, a private...>MORE
Echo Tech
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY TECHNICIAN, Full-time. Certification by ARDMS or registry eligible. Up to $7500 Sign On Bonus!; MEDICAL...>MORE
Nurse Practitioner
NURSE Practitioner, PT including one evening, resume 533 Meadow Dr, Suite 2, N. Tona, NY 14120 or fax 693-4807...>MORE
Packers
Packers, General Production & Assembly 1st, 2nd and 3rd shifts Sanborn, Tonawanda & Amherst. Re...>MORE
Driver
Drivers CDLA. Must be able to go to Canada Good pay, great benefits. Call 278-2000 Ext. 106...>MORE
Activities Director
Activities Director FT AS Degree and /or or 3-5 yrs exp working in adult home. Send Resume To: Ransomville Manor at 35...>MORE
Nursing
NURSING. RN's. Up to $7500 Sign on Bonus. Thinking of a change? Consider Mount St. Mary's Hospital. Various positions av...>MORE
Customer Service
Customer Service Immed. F/T position. Includes weekends. Must be customer oriented, computer ...>MORE
Inventory Control
Inventory Control Carousel Pickers Order Pickers Receivers/Shippers Packers Pay: $10/hr Sh...>MORE
See all ads |
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria 4 dr, loaded, new tires must see & drive $3500. red. 860-2854...>MORE
Buick 2005 LeSabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE
Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE
Pontiac 1999 Montana
PONTIAC 1999 Montana 57,000 original miles, full options, like new, $3300, 694-0441...>MORE
VW 2001 Beetle
VW 2001 Beetle, loaded, GLX turbo, exc. cond, all service records, fun to drive, blue bk $5600, take best offer, 990-06...>MORE
Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer 531-3548 or 297-1526...>MORE
Dodge 2001 Neon
Dodge 2001 Neon 4 dr, auto, a/c, new tires, c/d no rust, inspected, $3900. white 860-2854...>MORE
Ford Windstar 1998
FORD 1998 Windstar $1000 or best offer. 298-5220...>MORE
1995 Plymouth Neon
Plymouth ‘95 Neon, 4 cyl, auto, 4 dr, exc in & out, 1 owner, only 56k orig. mi, no rust. $2195. 523-7102 ...>MORE
2000 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 2000 Caravan, V6, power everything, excellent body, runs great, $2195. Call 754-4608....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|