The face of Good Morning America is looking a little different the morning of July 28, with Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos joined by a very different kind of NFL expert.
Instead of Michael Strahan on the show, the pair were joined by longtime ESPN and ABC anchor Joe Buck, who quipped about hopping on the "early shift" to co-host with George and Robin.
© Getty ImagesWhere is Michael Strahan?
Michael last appeared on the ABC morning news show on July 20, with both Robin and George also taking some time off during that period.
But regular viewers can rest easy, like his colleagues, Michael was simply making the best of summer with a well-earned vacation, sharing some snippets from his getaway on Monday, July 27.
As it turns out, the ABC News host, 54, was spending some time in Italy, taking in the beautiful sunset vistas and lounging by the water, sharing a few photos of the yachts and the pools he spent his days by apparently in Portofino.
"Italy thank you for the great time and great new memories!!! Salute until next time!" he captioned his post, with his colleague Lara Spencer commenting: "Wow need full details pls."
Michael seemingly spent his break with his longtime girlfriend Kayla Quick, who also commented on the post: "We just got back but let's go back," with a fan adding: "Love Italy! Safe travels!" and another saying: "You're missed on GMA!"
Who is Joe Buck?
For anyone familiar with the NFL or MLB world, Joe is certainly an institution. The 57-year-old sportscaster previously called play-by-play for minor league teams before being hired by FOX in 1994.
At the time, he was the youngest man hired to serve as the lead play-by-play announcer for NFL games, and eventually also served as the lead announcer for MLB games.
Joe's distinctively smooth and calm style became a signature of his and made him a household favorite when it came to the sports, calling six Super Bowls and 23 World Series games. He exited FOX in 2022 and then joined ESPN and ABC, now serving as their lead play-by-play announcer.
© Getty ImagesSportscasting runs in his blood too, with his father Jack Buck renowned as one of the greatest sportscasters for his play-by-play for the St. Louis Cardinals. Both father and son are inductees of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Joe's stint on GMA also proved to be quite timely, immediately following him receiving the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, an honor presented to a sportscaster annually for their contributions to the sport. His father Jack received that award back in 1987, making them the only father-son duo to do so.
© Getty ImagesWhile on GMA, he looked back on the moment he saw his father receive the same award when he was 18, and noted that while he'd always suspected he might follow his footsteps, he didn't realize it would turn out the way it did. "Nepotism is awesome! Nepotism is so great," Joe joked.
