GOOD MORNING AMERICA {MARCH 18, 2003} (TV)
Summary
One in this early morning series that includes interviews, special features, and news. This episode, the West Coast edition of the broadcast, comes after the previous night's announcement by U.S. President George W. Bush that war will be declared if Saddam Hussein and his sons don't leave Iraq within forty-eight hours. Hosts Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer open the program, noting how the "Terror Alert" has been raised to orange, the second highest ranking. Claire Shipman, in Washington, D.C., reports on Bush's ultimatum to Hussein. Next, John McWethy, at the Pentagon, reports on current U.S. intelligence reports and ongoing military strategy as the country prepares for war. Then, in a taped interview from Houston, Sawyer speaks with Bush's parents, George H.W. and Barbara, touching on such topics as: what it's like to be the parents of a man that will have to send other parents' children to war; the President making decisions without the approval of some allies; former U.S. National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft's criticisms of the President's decisions; and former President Jimmy Carter's thoughts on American military action that is unsanctioned by the United Nations. Gibson presents a piece on U.S. soldiers' good luck charms -- the talismans they carry into battle. Next, Gibson speaks with retired General Charles Horner, live via satellite from Florida, touching on such topics as: how the U.S. will deliver a "shock" during the first few hours of war; the amount of artillery the U.S. will need to use; what parts of Iraq the U.S. will attack; how the U.S. will be "less destructive" and "more effective" in its attack; the "valuable" JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bomb which the U.S. will employ; and what the greatest unknown is for the U.S. military. Then, Tony Perkins presents the day's weather. The "Picture of the Morning" is an anti-war protest sign painted onto a wing of the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Robin Roberts, in Kuwait, further reports on Bush's ultimatum to Hussein before Gibson interrupts her for an ABC News Special Report: a live press conference with Tom Ridge, Secretary of Homeland Security. Peter Jennings briefly introduces the press conference in Washington D.C., before Ridge discusses the newly-implemented "Operation Liberty Shield" and the program's major imperatives. The press corps then questions Ridge on such topics as: the detention of asylum seekers before being allowed to enter America; why the "extreme act" of detaining these people is being implemented; and the "near-certainty" of an upcoming terrorist attack. Jennings interrupts the questioning to discuss the press conference with ABC News reporter Pierre Thomas. Vince Cannistraro, a former CIA counterterrorism chief, then offers a quick comment on Ridge's statements. Perkins again presents the day's weather. Roberts, in the day's "Watercooler" segment, discusses a new Middle East-inspired sandwich -- the McArabia -- being peddled by a Kuwait City McDonald's. The show's second hour begins with Gibson and Sawyer previewing the rest of the day's program. At the news desk in Kuwait, Roberts discusses Hussein's rejection of Bush's ultimatum. Richard Engel, in Baghdad, reports on Saddam's sons threatening Iraq's enemies. Roberts follows up by telling of an American oil worker killed in Yemen, after which newsreader Liz Cho in New York recaps Ridge's press conference. Bill Redeker reports on the arrests of kidnapped child Elizabeth Smart's abductors and whether they may be related to another missing child case. Then, Perkins presents the day's weather. In further footage from a taped interview in Houston, Sawyer speaks with George H.W. and Barbara Bush, touching on such topics as: former President Bush having fished that morning; whether they are tempted to advise their son on political matters; whether Barbara watches for strain on her son; why she doesn't watch television news; the former President's foundation, Points of Light; the subjects of Americans' prayers; and the former President's 80th birthday plans. In a taped interview from London, Gwyneth Paltrow sits down with reporter Richard Gizbert to touch on such topics as: what it's like to be an American living in Europe; dealing with the rise in anti-American sentiment; whether she questions America's motives behind the war; her new film "View from the Top," which had a delayed release due to 9/11; the "bad hair" in the movie; working with Mike Myers; and what she wants to work on in the future. Then, Cho recaps the day's headlines, with Thomas later reporting on heightened security precautions in Washington D.C.. Perkins presents the day's weather. Then, Gibson speaks with Richard Clarke, former counterterrorism czar, about such topics as: the possibilities of a preemptive strike by Hussein; "tricks" that Hussein may try; whether Hussein has the capability to accomplish such things; criticism of the color-coded threat assessment system; and how the upcoming war could change America. Next, in a phone interview from Bahrain, Gibson speaks with Vice Admiral Timothy Keating to touch on such topics as when it could be assumed that America will begin the war, and what is on his mind on the brink of war. In another phone interview from Bahrain, Gibson speaks with Lt. General Earl Hailston to touch on such topics as whether the Marines listened to Bush's speech the night before, and whether it heightened concerns or caused relief amongst his men. Next, in "Dr. Tim on Call," Dr. Tim Johnson answers Sawyer's questions on such medical topics as the new "killer" flu-like illness which the World Health Organization called "a global threat," and potential dangers of hormone replacement therapy. Then, Rita Watnick, "Dresser to the Stars," shows Sawyer, Gibson, and Cho some jewelry that celebrities might wear to the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony. Finally, Gibson and Sawyer wrap up the day's show. Also included are some text-based news briefs from ABCNews.com. Includes commercials. This program is closed-captioned.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: March 18, 2003 7:00 AM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:58:50
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:77674
- GENRE: News; Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Robin Roberts)
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1975-
- COMMERCIALS:
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- TV - Commercials - "Piglet's Big Movie" motion picture
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- TV - Commercials - 1 Step seasonings
- TV - Commercials - ABC for a better community
- TV - Commercials - Allegra allergy medication
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- TV - Commercials - Bank One Visa credit cards
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- TV - Commercials - Ethan Allen furniture
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- TV - Commercials - The Robin Hood Foundation for the Earned Income Tax Credit
- TV - Commercials - Thomasville furniture
- TV - Commercials - USA Freedom Corps volunteer service
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- TV - Commercials - Water Year 2003 environmental project
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- TV - Commercials - operationgraduation.com for high school dropout prevention
- TV - Promos - "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter"
- TV - Promos - "75th Annual Academy Awards"
- TV - Promos - "According to Jim"
- TV - Promos - "All American Girl"
- TV - Promos - "George Lopez"
- TV - Promos - "Less than Perfect"
- TV - Promos - "Life with Bonnie"
- TV - Promos - "Lost at Home"
- TV - Promos - "My Wife & Kids"
- TV - Promos - "NBA Sundays" basketball
- TV - Promos - "Regular Joe"
- TV - Promos - "The Bachelor: Where Are They Now?"
- TV - Promos - "The Family"
- TV - Promos - "The View"
- TV - Promos - "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings"
- TV - Promos - ABC Sports and the PGA Tour
CREDITS
- Charles Gibson … Anchor
- Diane Sawyer … Anchor
- Tony Perkins … Reporter
- Liz Cho … Reporter
- Peter Jennings … Reporter
- John McWethy … Reporter
- Robin Roberts … Reporter
- Claire Shipman … Reporter
- Pierre Thomas … Reporter
- Richard Engel … Reporter
- Bill Redeker … Reporter
- Richard Gizbert … Reporter
- Barbara Bush … Guest
- George H.W. Bush … Guest
- Vince Cannistraro … Guest
- Charles Horner … Guest
- Gwyneth Paltrow … Guest
- Richard Clarke … Guest
- Timothy Keating … Guest
- Earl Hailston … Guest
- Tim Johnson … Guest
- Rita Watnick … Guest
- George W. Bush
- Jimmy Carter
- Saddam Hussein
- Mike Myers
- Tom Ridge
- Brent Scowcroft
- Elizabeth Smart