Joe Buck’s GMA Stint Divides Viewers During Stephanopoulos’s Absence

July 25, 2025: As George Stephanopoulos takes time off from Good Morning America, viewers of the ABC morning show are expressing mixed reactions to his temporary replacements, with particular attention on ESPN’s Joe Buck.

Stephanopoulos’s last appearance on GMA was on Friday, July 18. Linsey Davis filled in for him on Monday and Tuesday, July 21 and 22. Since Wednesday, July 23, Joe Buck has joined Michael Strahan and Robin Roberts at the anchor desk, and he is expected to co-host through the end of this week.

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Buck, upon joining the show, expressed his appreciation, saying, “It’s good to be here, thank you.” He humorously added, “I’ll try not to drive the ratings into the ground.” However, some viewers were quick to voice their dissatisfaction on GMA’s Instagram. Comments ranged from “Don’t like Joe Buck! Hope George is back soon!” to “Ugh- cringy and awkward. Don’t like him hosting football, and really don’t like him on GMA. Please tell me it’s temporary!!!” Many also questioned Stephanopoulos’s absence, stating, “Missing George. I’d like to see a political journalist sit at the desk.”

Conversely, some GMA fans welcomed the change. One viewer commented, “What a treat!! Someone who speaks clearly, unlike George. Keep Joe Buck,” while another praised his performance as “Great job. Way better than the mumbling slouching George.”

The exact reason for Stephanopoulos’s hiatus from GMA is unknown, but it’s likely he is simply enjoying a vacation, a common practice for morning show hosts, similar to Today co-anchors Craig Melvin and Savannah Guthrie this week. His time off may also involve spending time with his wife, Ali Wentworth, and their new puppy, Fig. The couple introduced their rescue dog on GMA earlier this month, with Wentworth sharing, “She was rescued. We adopted her last night… we really wanted to adopt another dog.”