Greetings, AmericaThis week’s surprising appearance of ESPN sportscaster Joe Buck at the anchor desk, in place of longstanding co-anchor George Stephanopoulos, caught viewers off guard.
In reference to his strange new role, Buck joked with Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan during Wednesday’s broadcast, “I’ll try not to drive the ratings into the ground.”
Even while daytime hosts frequently take brief breaks, they are typically replaced by well-known stand-ins from the ABC network. However, Buck’s attendance was noteworthy because he isn’t usually seen on morning news shows. In reference to the show’s early call times, Buck said on-air, “I don’t know how you do this every day.”
Although Stephanopoulos’ absence has not been formally addressed by the network, sources suggest he is most likely on a little vacation, perhaps spending time with his wife, Ali Wentworth.
Fans weren’t overly excited, though. George, where are you? On X (formerly Twitter), someone inquired. Another questioned the choice, saying it was absurd that Joe Buck would take George’s place, even for a single minute. You’ve fallen to an all-time low. One reader wrote, “Please tell me Joe Buck is not permanently on GMA,” raising concerns that it was a permanent transition.
There is no proof that Stephanopoulos’ absence is anything more than transitory, notwithstanding the conjecture.
In a personal family update posted on GMA’s Instagram earlier this month, George and Ali introduced Fig, a new Labrador puppy. The happy news came shortly after their daughter Elliott’s graduation from Brown University in May, and after the tragic death of their dog Cooper.
George and Ali, who have been married since 2001, are proud parents to two daughters: Harper, who is a student at Vanderbilt University, and Elliott, who is now a Brown graduate.
ABC broadcasts Good Morning America daily from 7 to 9 a.m. ET. Lara Spencer, Ginger Zee, Michael Strahan, Robin Roberts, and George Stephanopoulos are regular anchors.
