‘The View’ Director Ashley Gorman Exits

EXCLUSIVE: Another key member of The View team, director Ashley S. Gorman, has left the embattled ABC daytime talk show. Gorman was part of the new producing team brought in last summer for the current 18th season, the first without co-creators/executive producers Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie at the helm. Led by new executive producer Bill Wolff, the team included Brian Balthazar as co-executive producer and Gorman as director. Balthazar left in February to return to HGTV, three months after ABC News took over the talker amid ratings woes and a week before the abrupt departure of co-host Rosie O’Donnell. The View is likely facing other hosting changes as only Whoopi Goldberg has a deal for next season.

In a letter to the staff obtained by Deadline, Wolff says that Gorman would be relocating to the West Coast to be closer to his family but will stay in the Disney ABC TV Group family. ABC News’ Jeff Winn will fill in for Gorman until a permanent replacement is found. (you can read Wolff’s email in its entirety below).

Gorman has directed thousands of hours of live shows in the UK and the U.S. specializing in entertainment, food, magazine and music. His credits include Hell’s Kitchen, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here…NOW!, The Biggest Loser and This Morning.

Team,

I have some bittersweet news. Ashley Gorman, who’s been a key part of our team this season, is leaving our show for a big new role on the West Coast.

The specifics will be announced soon, but I’m happy to report that Ashley is staying in the DATG family and relocating means he’ll be closer to his family in LA.

I’m very grateful to Ashley for his calm hand on the rudder. Live TV day in and day out is one of the toughest jobs in television, and Ashley is one of the best.  A great director is creative, decisive and shows grace under pressure.  We were very lucky to have those qualities and more in Ashley.

Ashley will stay with the show through the end of the season. We’ll name a full time replacement soon for next season, and Jeff Winn from ABC News will help with the transition so we don’t miss a beat.

We’ll do a proper send off for Ashley later this summer, but in the meantime please join me in thanking him for his incredible work this season and congratulating him on the new gig.

Bill