DIANE SAWYER is finally ready to admit it: After six years as co-host of “Good Morning America,” she ‘s no longer a temp.

The “temp ” title stems from her early days on “GMA,” when she and co-host Charlie Gibson considered themselves to be merely temporary replacements for Lisa McRee and Kevin Newman,their predecessors who were removed as co-hosts in January 1999.

Sawyer and Gibson both felt the gig would last only a few months. “I know time flies,but has it been longer than three months?” Sawyer asked playfully. “I think Charlie and I have settled in,” she said. “We ‘re having such

a great time right now.”

Indeed,now is a great time for “GMA ” and a great time for Sawyer too. The ABC News show has been closing the gap with its arch-rival,NBC ‘s “Today.” In the most recent Nielsens, “GMA ” trailed “Today ” by “only ” 450,,000 viewers.

And ever since Barbara Walters retired from “20/20,” Sawyer has risen to queen of ABC News,where she is also

one of four anchors on “Primetime Live.”

Sawyer takes the workload in stride. “Most journalists don ‘t get in the business because they mind the pace or the hours,” she said.

“[Competition ] makes you more creative.”

Sawyer,59,has been with ABC News since 1989,when she jumped from CBS ‘ “60 Minutes ” to launch “Prime-

time Live.”

What ‘s up this week for Sawyer? “I really can ‘t [say ],” she said regretfully,then added, “I have a number of

investigative pieces coming up,which I just love.”

GOOD MORNING AMERICA

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