24994J 5276 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 In a somewhat surprising move, Sam Champion, weather anchor/editor for GMA and ABC News is leaving the network for a role as managing editor of and future morning host on the Weather Channel. He's the #1 morning show's first major departure in over 2 years. His last show will be Wednesday, and weekend meteorologist Ginger Zee will fill Champion's roles, effectively immediately. In her own contract negotiations, anchor Robin Roberts is reportedly close to the new deal with the network. Champion's exit will likely free up some cash to spend on Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer, both of whom are reportedly seeking a larger role at the network (and likely a larger check). http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/sam-champion-leaving-abc-for-the-weather-channel_b204906#more-204906 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningNews 1293 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Just saw this. I'm shocked but Ginger is always pretty good when she fills in. The team won't really be the same though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProButtonPusher 230 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 So, I guess there's a strong possibility that we see Sam on NBC News programming in addition to TWC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningNews 1293 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Reports are that Robin has just finalized a deal to stay with ABC and GMA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuitSnob 19 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Has anyone noticed that he is not actually a meteorologist yet? Small detail... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuitSnob 19 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Does this mean that Sam and Josh Elliot are getting divorced...or are they going to try a long-distance relationship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningNews 1293 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Has anyone noticed that he is not actually a meteorologist yet? Small detail... He's still not a meteorologist? I remember this from his WABC days! Why do I have the feeling that Champions ego played a role in the break down of negotiations between he and the execs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuitSnob 19 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 A friend worked closely with him some years back....I would say it is beyond ego and simply bordering on mental illness. I remember when WABC would have promos showing him ripping out the radar reports as soon as they were printed and studying them with a furrowed brow. They probably slipped in an Abercrombie catalog so he could pretend to look interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BehindNYNews 143 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Ginger will be prefect on GMA weekday. I have to wonder if they may take Amy Freeze to do GMA weekends. She seems like a great candidate to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breaking News 802 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 A friend worked closely with him some years back....I would say it is beyond ego and simply bordering on mental illness. I remember when WABC would have promos showing him ripping out the radar reports as soon as they were printed and studying them with a furrowed brow. They probably slipped in an Abercrombie catalog so he could pretend to look interested. So are you saying the beloved weatherman that people love is really a diva or divo behind close doors. From the reports were hear is ABC & WABC loved Sam.....ok what gives??? Sound like there more behind the story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThunderJay27 27 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 So is there going to be a mix of Al Roker and Sam Champion or is Al done at TWC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24994J 5276 Posted December 3, 2013 Author Share Posted December 3, 2013 So are you saying the beloved weatherman that people love is really a diva or divo behind close doors. From the reports were hear is ABC & WABC loved Sam.....ok what gives??? Sound like there more behind the story. Everybody hates somebody. Somebody hates everybody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoseRM303 169 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 So is there going to be a mix of Al Roker and Sam Champion or is Al done at TWC? The way i'm reading it is Al will still be at the TWC, Sam's new program will air in the current "Morning Rush" 7-10a timeslot or whatever that's show is called. So likely Maria, Stephanie and Mike will be displaced unless Maria stays on with Sam's program and Mike and Stephanie do the early 5 - 7a slot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmediaguy 123 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 A friend worked closely with him some years back....I would say it is beyond ego and simply bordering on mental illness. I remember when WABC would have promos showing him ripping out the radar reports as soon as they were printed and studying them with a furrowed brow. They probably slipped in an Abercrombie catalog so he could pretend to look interested. This is the funniest thing I've heard in weeks... and likely true! Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuitSnob 19 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 So are you saying the beloved weatherman that people love is really a diva or divo behind close doors. From the reports were hear is ABC & WABC loved Sam.....ok what gives??? Sound like there more behind the story. His diva bahavior is pretty well known. Check the archives for Charles Perez's autobio...normally I would say "there are two sides" but from what my friend who worked with him has told me, it is pretty consistant with what is exprected of Sam the Tantrum-throwing Champion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVY 10 Fan 232 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Somewhat surprised in that I hadn't heard anything until yesterday about Sam heading out the door. Wonder what happens when he butts heads with Jim Cantore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmi_18 33 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Ginger will be prefect on GMA weekday. I have to wonder if they may take Amy Freeze to do GMA weekends. She seems like a great candidate to do it. I agree. I remember when she was in Philly and she was great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24994J 5276 Posted December 3, 2013 Author Share Posted December 3, 2013 Ginger will be prefect on GMA weekday. I have to wonder if they may take Amy Freeze to do GMA weekends. She seems like a great candidate to do it. Damn, I keep forgetting that former Chicago people are running ABC lately. Zee, Paula Faris, and Alex Perez (WMAQ) at the network, Freeze (WFLD) at WABC, Chris Sowers (WFLD) at WPVI, and Don Schwenneker (WBBM) at WTVD, all making their Windy City exit within about 18 months of each other. I don't know if we should be proud or be wondering what we did wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Newsroom 1150 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Damn, I keep forgetting that former Chicago people are running ABC lately. Zee, Paula Faris, and Alex Perez (WMAQ) at the network, Freeze (WFLD) at WABC, Chris Sowers (WFLD) at WPVI, and Don Schwenneker (WBBM) at WTVD, all making their Windy City exit within about 18 months of each other. I don't know if we should be proud or be wondering what we did wrong? I think you should be proud. Each and every one you mentioned has has tremendous success after leaving Chicago for their ABC positions. Especially Ginger and Paula at the main network. What you did wrong is wondering what you did wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuitSnob 19 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 OK...I am taking bets: Who thinks that Sam and Josh will kiss with tongue before this broadcast is over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BehindNYNews 143 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 It was a very nice send off today. Definitely no Ann Curry sign off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TellyGenic 32 Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Ginger Zee is engaged to WNBC lifestyle/features reporter Ben Aaron. Talk about an odd coupling... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Newsroom 1150 Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 It was a very nice send off today. Definitely no Ann Curry sign off... THANKS for freshly putting that back in my mind. I REALLY needed to remember what that was... Ginger Zee is engaged to WNBC lifestyle/features reporter Ben Aaron. Talk about an odd coupling... How is that odd? I heard of many professionals in the TV industry get married. and they were from different networks; although some would go to the one network eventually. Yes, it seems that way, but how? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningNews 1293 Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Ginger Zee is engaged to WNBC lifestyle/features reporter Ben Aaron. Talk about an odd coupling... Not nearly as odd as Deborah Roberts and Al Roker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24994J 5276 Posted December 18, 2013 Author Share Posted December 18, 2013 Not nearly as odd as Deborah Roberts and Al Roker. Dafuq is that supposed to mean? Al is adorable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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