Hey there! On January 19, fans of Good Morning America got a blast from the past when they saw Sam Champion stepping in to deliver the weather forecast instead of Ginger Zee. Now, you might remember that Sam left ABC back in 2012 to join The Weather Channel, and Ginger quickly took over as the lead meteorologist. But in recent months, Sam has been making more appearances on the show, sparking excitement among fans. So, let's dive into the details of why Sam's back and what it means for GMA fans.
Sam Champion Temporarily Filling In on 'GMA'
Some GMA viewers were thrilled to see Sam back on the screen, and they quickly took to Twitter to express their excitement. Turns out, Sam was stepping in because Ginger was under the weather and needed time to recover. During the episode, Ginger herself even thanked Sam for lending a hand. In a heartfelt tweet, she wrote, "I have great care but rolling fevers have taken me out — thanks to @SamChampion for filling in today." She also reassured her fans, saying, "Hoping I’ll see you all back on @GMA soon." It's always great to see colleagues supporting each other, right?
Now, while it wasn't immediately clear when Ginger would be back on the show, she did share a sweet photo of her son taking care of her with a thermometer and some Gatorade. Ginger, who's married to Ben Aaron, has two adorable kids, Adrian and Miles. This little glimpse into her family life reminded us how relatable these celebrities can be when they're dealing with everyday challenges like illnesses.
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Even though it seemed like Sam's return to GMA was just a temporary arrangement, his presence certainly stirred up excitement among fans. He's actually stepped in for Ginger multiple times since he left The Weather Channel back in 2016. Besides his appearances on GMA, Sam also anchors Eyewitness News and even participated in season 31 of Dancing With the Stars. Interestingly, once Ginger got back on her feet, Sam still made appearances on GMA for a few segments, keeping the excitement alive.
What Happened to Sam Champion During His Break?
Fast forward to the start of 2023, and Sam decided to take a little break from TV. Instead of sticking around in the U.S., the Kentucky-born weatherman headed to Brazil with his husband, Rubem Robierb, to enjoy some time at their vacation home. While they were there, the couple soaked up the sun on the beach, hung out with friends, and celebrated their 10-year anniversary. Sounds like the perfect getaway, doesn't it?
When Sam finally made his way back to TV, ABC viewers, including his long-time colleague Robin Roberts, noticed a change in his appearance. Sam returned with facial hair and a longer hairstyle, which he revealed took quite a bit of time to prep. In an Instagram post about his first day back, Sam joked, "It took much longer to get ready with all the facial hair and long hair." He even mentioned waking up at 2 a.m. to get everything just right. Now that's dedication!
Robin, never one to pass up a good joke, decided to poke a little fun at Sam's new look. During an ABC broadcast on January 16, she quipped, "I got a call from Barney Rubble who wants his hair back." She continued with more Flintstones-themed humor, and the two of them couldn't stop laughing. It was a great reminder of the camaraderie and fun banter that makes GMA such a beloved show.
