CHARLIE Gibson is signing off as coanchor of “Primetime Thursday” – but is remaining a part of the show, The Post has learned.
Gibson, who had coanchored “Primetime” with Diane Sawyer, will appear throughout the season to introduce his own reports, but won’t be on every week.
John Quinones, Cynthia McFadden and Chris Cuomo are now considered the show’s co-anchors alongside Sawyer.
“He’s going to be part of the show and he has assignments,” “Primetime Thursday” executive producer Shelley Ross told The Post yesterday. “We just had a meeting two days ago about future assignments.
“Charlie will be an important contributor to the show, and he’s very excited about his new ideas.”
Ross immediately shot down any perception that Gibson’s new role on the show has anything to do with supposed ill-will between her and Gibson.
Ross previously executive-produced “Good Morning America,” and when she left for “Primetime” some said there was tension with Gibson, who co-hosts “GMA” with Sawyer.
“Charlie and I have no friction whatsoever,” she said. “This really makes sense if you think about it.
“Charlie was co-anchor with Diane when Cynthia McFadden, Chris Cuomo and John Quinones needed to be introduced [for their segments]. If you think of some other newsmagazines, the correspondents introduce their own pieces … and Charlie will be here to introduce whatever he’s Working on.
“He’s still very much an important part of the show.”
Sources say Gibson is giving the new coanchors “the chance to shine” while he focuses on “GMA” and his other work at ABC – including hosting one of the upcoming presidential debates between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry.
“He’s been thinking about this for quite a while,” said the source. “His role with[‘Primetime Live’] has been largely cosmetic.
“He’s got a very busy fall coming up and he and Diane are still together on ‘GMA’ and still spending plenty of quality time together.”
“Primetime Thursday” is adding a “That Was the Week That Was” segment this season, based on the satirical ’60s show.
