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Opinion

ABC News’ morning show hosts should stay on TV

Dec 08, 2022

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While office relationships are mostly discouraged, they’re not uncommon. According to a 2022 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, one-third of U.S. workers say they’re currently involved in an office romance or have been in the past. And the majority of employees and employers say they’re okay with workplace relationships as long as they’re consensual. 

That wasn’t the case when it was learned that two Good Morning America hosts, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, both married, were having an affair. Though they aren’t violating company policy, ABC executives decided to take them off the air. They say only temporary until things quiet down. Was that the right thing to do? Straight Arrow News contributor Jordan Reid says no and makes the argument that workplace romance is nobody’s business but those involved. 

In any case, the president of ABC News, Kim Godwin, informed staffers that while Robach and Holmes have not violated company policy, the organization feels that the matter has become “an internal and external disruption,” and they benched them pending further exploration, or investigation, or discussion, whatever it is they’re planning to do. Really?

It’s a morning show. They’re talking about, like, Julia Roberts and George Clooney. And have you ever seen Mika Brezinski and Joe Scarborough – who also left their respective spouses for each other a few years back – on MSNBC? 

Their utter inability to stop flirting on camera despite Willie Geist’s VERY apparent discomfort is TV at its finest. Truly. Look, if a breakup happens between two people, on the job or elsewhere, the parties involved are going to have to deal with the fallout in whatever form. And sure, it’s more complicated to have to deal with said fallout on TV. 

But it’s also their prerogative. And in this age of performative authenticity and reality TV stunting, isn’t it refreshing to see two people actually just…being in a relationship? Out there in the open, with all its complicated unpredictability? 

I’m trying to figure out what the partisan angle on office romances is. I feel like the conservative perspective might be on the pro-workplace relationship side…as in, “liberal conservatives with their woke snow flaking are saying love is dead. Well, we’re saying ‘love’ again. Love is back!” Or something. I agree though. Not with the love being dead part – with the workplace romance being ok part – provided that the power dynamics are level and that both parties are enthusiastically consenting adults capable (as I hear many adults are) of having both a job and a life. Allow me to make a quick case. 

First of all, having worked a truly soul-crushing office job or two in zmy day, I can tell you: Nothing will get you into work on time like an office crush. Nothing. Second, also having been single and thus on the apps for four and a half years – I know, you’re jealous – I can tell you that I would give a great deal to meet an actual human being out there in the actual world. 

And if you start a romance at work, at the very least you know that your potential partner has a job, And that it isn’t “photographer.” (They’re never actually photographers.) Third, love is love is love. And if you’re able to find true connection while simultaneously making money, good for you. Go write a self-help book. I’ll read it.  

Which brings me to the mini-drama swirling around GMA co-hosts Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, who have been removed from their anchoring duties at ABC in the wake of their recent disclosure of a romantic relationship. Both were thought to be in committed marriages with other people, although, you know – that’s kind of…their business. 

In any case, the president of ABC News, Kim Godwin, informed staffers that while Robach and Holmes have not violated company policy, the organization feels that the matter has become “an internal and external disruption,” and they benched them pending further exploration, or investigation, or discussion, whatever it is they’re planning to do. Really? It’s a morning show. They’re talking about, like, Julia Roberts’ George Clooney dress. And have you ever seen Mika Brezinski and Joe Scarborough – who also left their respective spouses for each other a few years back – on MSNBC? 

Their utter inability to stop flirting on camera despite Willie Geist’s VERY apparent discomfort is TV at its finest. Truly. Look, if a breakup happens between two people, on the job or elsewhere, the parties involved are going to have to deal with the fallout in whatever form. And sure, it’s more complicated to have to deal with said fallout on TV. 

But it’s also their prerogative. And in this age of performative authenticity and reality TV stunting, isn’t it refreshing to see two people actually just…being in a relationship? Out there in the open, with all its complicated unpredictability? 

In closing, please look at how adorable these two are, paying special attention to the moment when T.J. over there realizes what Robach has actually just said. I love everything about this. Please keep these two on TV. Thank you.

 

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