The first hour of “GMA3” was hosted by Stephanie Ramos and Gio Benitez, who filled in for Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes. When asked about their absence, they said that the two regular hosts had the day off.
The rest of the show went on as if nothing was wrong. They talked about Art Basel, etc.
Sources from the network tell that T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach didn’t find out about the decision until this morning.
The bosses at ABC News have decided to take Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes off the air. They say that the couple’s relationship is a distraction, and they will figure out what to do next.
Sources tell that Kim Godwin, the president of ABC News, made the announcement Monday morning during an editorial call. She called the situation an “internal and external distraction.”
Kim also said that the choice wasn’t easy but didn’t break any company rules.
And so, I want to say that while that relationship is not a violation of company policy, I have really taken the last few days to think about and work through what I think is best for the ABC News organization.
She continued,
This is something I’m not going to talk, we’re not going to talk about on this call until there is more to be said. I’m asking that we stop the whispering in the hallways. You know, we can’t operate with gossip, and speculation and rumors. We need to stay focused on the work.
Adding,
If you think there is something that management needs to know, you can always call HR or, as we’ve said, talk to a manager that you trust. If you think there is something that we need to know.
The decision comes less than a week after people found out that the coworkers were dating. A source published a set of flirty photos of the two hanging out in New York City and broke the news that they were being fired.
Amy and T.J. didn’t talk much about their relationship on air, but on Friday, when T.J. said he just wanted the week to keep going and going, it seemed like they were making fun of all the attention it got. Amy said that she couldn’t wait for the weekend.
When the story broke, sources close to Amy and T.J. told that the increased attention on their lives would have no effect on them. They were in a relationship that they both agreed on, and they both had equal roles on “GMA3.”
On Monday, Stephanie Ramos and Gio Benitez will take their places, but it’s not clear if they’ll be there all week.
