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Credit: Video Screenshot, 'Good Morning America', ABCIt’s been fifty years since Good Morning America premiered on ABC. In those five decades, Good Morning America has won multiple awards and has become one of the most trusted and popular morning shows around.
The show’s success has also spawned multiple spinoffs over the years, including Good Night America, Good Afternoon America, GMA Wake Up Call, GMA Lunch Break, GMA Deals, and GMA 3: What You Need to Know.
While nearly all of those spinoff shows have come and gone, GMA: What You Need to Know has maintained a strong audience. However, the show was thrown into a bit of chaos when the affair between hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach was made public.
Related: After Cheating Scandal, Fired ABC Stars Launch Rival News Show
Despite its success, there is a lot happening behind the scenes at Good Morning America, and it has been reported that Disney and ABC are struggling to make sure the show continues to stay at the top.
Last month, we reported that anchor Michael Strahan — who has been a part of the GMA team since 2016 — is preparing to exit the show when his contract is up later this year. The former NFL star wants to slow down and spend more time with his family, especially his daughter Isabella, who recently battled brain cancer.
Related: ABC and ‘Good Morning America’ “Gutted” Amid Huge Layoffs
However, dealing with Mr. Strahan’s exit and figuring out who will replace him is not the only issue facing the Good Morning America cast and crew.
According to reports, the relationship between longtime anchors Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos is not very good. The two reportedly aren’t outwardly nasty to each other, but they barely speak.
The colleagues seem to be so cold to one another that George, 64, prefers to play chess on his phone rather than even look at his co-host Robin, also 64, during off-air moments
“The chill between colleagues — on and off camera — is best summed up by the fact that George Stephanopoulos stares down at his phone on the set of GMA and plays chess instead of talking to, or even looking at, his co-host Robin Roberts,” the outlet reported.
The publication also said the culture at ABC News, which broadcasts GMA, is “secretive and cold.”
Related: ABC Star Reveals Devastating Cancer Battle
This is not the first time that Mr. Stephanopoulos has made headlines and his relationship with his costars has been questioned.
Months before the 2024 presidential election, Mr. Stephanopoulos was caught on camera saying that he did not think that then-President Joe Biden could handle four more years in office. Once that news became public, Mr. Stephanopoulos had to issue a public apology.
Then, one month after the election, Disney CEO Bob Iger shocked everyone when he decided to settle a massive defamation lawsuit brought against ABC by President-elect Donald Trump.
During an interview with Congresswoman Nancy Mace, Stephanopoulos repeatedly said that Trump had been found liable for rape. The legendary anchor was repeatedly told not to use the word rape, but ignored those instructions. Disney and ABC agreed to pay a total of $16 million to settle the lawsuit.
ABC has denied that there is tension between Ms Roberts and Mr. Stephanopoulos, but the two anchors themselves have not commented on the issues between them.
Inside the Magic will keep readers updated as we learn more about the changes coming to Good Morning America and who will end up replacing beloved star Michael Strahan.
Are you a big fan of Good Morning America? Do you think that there is tension between George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts, or do you believe they truly are friends? Who would you like to see take Michael Strahan’s place when he leaves later this year? Share your thoughts in the comments!