Behind the Scenes Drama: ‘Good Morning America’ Faces Tension as Stars Reportedly Don’t Speak

It’s been fifty years since Good Morning America (GMA) first premiered on ABC, and in that time, the show has earned multiple awards and built a reputation as one of the most trusted and popular morning shows around. From its engaging interviews to breaking news, GMA has established itself as a staple in American households.

The success of GMA has also led to several spin-offs, such as Good Night America, Good Afternoon America, GMA Wake Up Call, GMA Lunch Break, GMA Deals, and GMA 3: What You Need to Know.

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While many of those spinoffs have come and gone, one notable exception is GMA 3: What You Need to Know, which has maintained a strong audience. However, as GMA celebrates its 50th anniversary, the show has faced its fair share of challenges, with one of the most notable being the public revelation of the affair between former co-hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach.

Despite the scandal, the show continues to air, but behind the scenes, there are still major hurdles to overcome.

In recent months, it was reported that longtime anchor Michael Strahan, who has been part of the GMA team since 2016, is preparing to exit the show when his contract expires later this year. The former NFL star has expressed his desire to slow down and spend more time with his family, particularly his daughter Isabella, who has recently battled brain cancer.

But Strahan’s departure is just one of the many issues currently plaguing the show. Reports have surfaced indicating that the relationship between two of the most prominent GMA anchors, Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos, has significantly deteriorated.

While they may not be openly hostile, sources claim that the two have become virtually silent with each other during off-air moments. Their strained relationship has become a topic of speculation among staff, with insiders describing the atmosphere at GMA as “cold” and “secretive.”

According to The U.S. Sun, the tensions between Roberts and Stephanopoulos have been so noticeable that Stephanopoulos, rather than engage in conversation with his co-host, has been spotted playing chess on his phone during breaks.

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.

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While the network has denied any tension between the two, the lack of communication between them is evident to many. The internal culture at ABC News, which broadcasts Good Morning America, has reportedly been described as “secretive and cold,” with employees noting the difficulty in understanding the underlying reasons for the disconnect between the anchors.

This latest development is not the first time Stephanopoulos has faced scrutiny over his relationships with colleagues. A few months before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, he caused a stir when he was caught on camera expressing doubts about President Joe Biden’s ability to serve another four years in office.

Following the fallout from these comments, Stephanopoulos was forced to issue a public apology.

Related: Disney Makes Controversial Move, Inking Deal with Anchor Amid Trump Lawsuit Aftermath

Furthermore, the controversy surrounding Stephanopoulos continued when, just one month after the election, Disney CEO Bob Iger made headlines with a surprising move. Iger agreed to settle a massive defamation lawsuit brought against ABC by Donald Trump after Stephanopoulos repeatedly used the term “rape” during an interview with Congresswoman Nancy Mace, despite being explicitly told not to.

The settlement amounted to a staggering $16 million, making it one of the largest defamation settlements in recent history.

Despite the ongoing challenges, ABC remains committed to maintaining the success of Good Morning America. The network has denied reports of significant tension between Roberts and Stephanopoulos, but insiders suggest that the pair’s strained relationship is unlikely to improve without intervention.

Disney Dining will continue to keep readers updated on any developments surrounding Good Morning America, including news on Strahan’s replacement and any potential changes to the show’s hosting lineup.

Are you a fan of Good Morning America? Do you think there is tension between George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts, or do you believe they are just fine? Who would you like to see replace Michael Strahan when he leaves the show? Share your thoughts in the comments below!