WorldNewsTonight

Two seconds may not seem like much in the real world (in fact, there's two seconds you'll never get back right there). In TV, however, it can mean an eternity (there goes another two seconds).

ABC News has admitted that footage from Brian Ross' report on recalled Toyota and their sudden acceleration problems contained a misleading shot of a speedometer.

Ross and Southern Illinois University professor David Gilbert went for a ride in a Toyota to recreate the supposed electrical failure that causes the sudden acceleration. Footage of the speedometer's needle spiking was actually taken when the car was idle and not while the car was in motion.

While NBC has been mired in a public bloodbath over job changes among some high-profile employees, ABC has quietly and smoothly managed the job transition between two of its biggest on-air personalities, Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer. Not only did Sawyer's replacement of Gibson last month as anchor of 'World News' occur with a minimum of fuss and strife, but it also has met the network's goal, at least so far, of a ratings boost for the nightly newscast.

Things are looking up for 'World News' anchor Diane Sawyer -- at least in the ratings.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sawyer averaged 8.6 million viewers and a 1.8 rating (adults 25-54) in her first three days on the job, up 6 percent from where Charles Gibson was last year. In doing so, Sawyer helped 'World News' post its highest audience gain over CBS' 'Evening News With Katie Couric' (6.2 million) in 11 months.

That said, Sawyer still has her work cut out for her. Although 'World News' has pulled ahead of CBS' 'Evening News,' it still trails NBC's 'Nightly News With Brian Williams' (9.4 million) by about 800,000 viewers.

As you've undoubtedly heard, Diane Sawyer has ditched 'Good Morning America' to take over 'World News' from Charlie Gibson (her gig began yesterday). And while plenty of people are wondering how George Stephanopoulos will fare in her stead, what we're far more interested in is seeing the bloody ratings catfight that will now be taking place nightly at 6:30 p.m., as Sawyer goes up against Katie Couric over at 'CBS Evening News.'

Sure, it's a battle for second place (the multi-talented and funny Brian Williams is a consistent winner with 'NBC Nightly News', one of the few bright spots in NBC's schedule). But it's one that has the potential for major upheaval (Couric's contract is up in 2011). So, who will win? Right now, odds are in Sawyer's favor -- and here's why.t now, odds are in Sawyer's favor -- and here's why.

To the three of you who still watch the news on a regular basis, here's some news you would have seen coming.

ABC World News' lead anchor Charlie Gibson has announced his retirement. He will leave the show on Dec. 18 and Diane Sawyer will take over the anchor's chair on Dec. 21.

He has only been the station's lead news anchor since May of 2006 when he stepped in for Bob Woodruff who sustained injuries from a roadside bomb in Iraq. Woodruff and Elizabeth Vargas replaced World News Tonight anchor Peter Jennings who left due to medical reasons.

Walter Cronkite is a tougher act to follow than letting Metallica open for William Hung.

But now that the news legend and former most trusted man in America has passed on to that big newsroom in the great beyond, America needs someone else to trust. They need someone they can depend on to get the hard, cold facts about the important stories that truly affect their lives. They need someone to cut through the political haze of misdirection and mediocrity that cloud almost every major news story like a lingering beer fart.

That man is ... Jon Stewart. Don't like it? Blame the rest of the news media for not doing a better job.

Now that her Good Morning, America coanchor Charles Gibson is going to be the anchor of ABC's World News Tonight, industry insiders are saying that Diane Sawyer might see this as an opportunity to go someplace else, and some are guessing CNN, which NY Times TV writer Bill Carter predicts will soon be going through some major changes.

It probably doesn't help that GMA's surge has sort of waned in the battle with NBC's The Today Show, and when Meredith Viera comes on board ...

Doug Vogt, the ABC camerman who was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq, is in an outpatient facility this morning. He was moved to Bethesda Medical Center to continue his recovery.

ABC World News Tonight anchor Bob Woodruff, who was injured in the same attack on Jan. 29, remains sedated. His injuries, to his upper torso, head, face, and brain, are much more serious than Vogt's. Doctors say that Woodruff is showing signs of improvement, but his road to recovery is going to be much longer and harder than Vogt's. In the meantime, ABC News chose to move Woodruff's co-anchor, Elizabeth Vargas, off the anchor desk and replace her, at least temporarily, with Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer.