News and Notes From Media World

1. The domino effect of Charles Gibson leaving the "World News" anchor chair at ABC News is still being felt.  George Stephanopolous, who in a previous life had been an advisor to President Bill Clinton, has just begun work as the new co-host of "Good Morning America".  He replaces Diane Sawyer, who on Monday is taking over the evening newscast from Gibson.  Oh, Stephanopolous will still be able to talk to Washington movers and shakers much like he did on "This Week" (a Sunday morning broadcast he'll probably give up), but he'll also have to have the ability to get along with co-host Robin Roberts, hang out with celebrities, and learn how to cook a souffle.  Most importantly, he'll be asked to keep "GMA" a solid second behind NBC's "Today" in the morning news wars.
2. Tom Barnard is staying at KQRS (92.5 FM) radio to make more sex jokes, and to prove to the world he's still smarter than Terri Traen.  He originally said that he'd give up the "KQ Morning Show" in 2012, days before the purported Mayan Apocalypse is supposed to take place.  Well, maybe he's seen the movie or had nightmares about Sarah Palin being elected President, but he's apparently decided to hang in there until they kick him out.  That could very well happen if Barnard and company offends another minority group.
3. In a related development, the Huffington Post reports that Citadel Broadcasting (KQRS' owners) is about to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
4. Amid the hoopla that follows anyone who has ever worked for WCCO-AM, Don Shelby recently concluded nine years of moonlighting as an afternoon talk show host.  His real job, anchoring the 10 p.m. news for WCCO-TV, is safe for at least another year.  To say that station officials might have been pushing Shelby out the door is putting it mildly.  His drive time slot was taken over by Michele Tafoya, who still takes a day off to cover "Monday Night Football" for ESPN.  Now Shelby's early afternoon position is up for grabs, with radio veterans Chad Hartman (Sid's kid) and John Hines the front runners.  May we suggest Kevyn Burger, who has a news background and was recently axed by WFMP (107.1 FM) when their talk programming changed direction?  Unless, of course, WCCO management doesn't want too much of a gender balance during the daytime.