ABC's "Good Morning America" is experiencing a major shakeup, and Robin Roberts opened up Wednesday on what she thinks of all the changes.
Former co-host Josh Elliott jumped from "GMA" to NBC Sports over the weekend, and "Live With Kelly and Michael" co-host Michael Strahan is expected to join "GMA" part-time. Roberts told "Entertainment Tonight" that she will "miss talking to" Elliott on the set, and that she is "excited" for Strahan's arrival.
Roberts had only good things to say about Elliott, who had reportedly demanded a pay raise equivalent to the bump that Roberts received in her new contract last December.
"He's multi-talented, multi-faceted, but we all know of course he is a sports guy," Roberts said. "I'm going to miss talking to him on the show and anybody that watched the program would see how he would just light up. I think what he said today in his statement is this is a dream job ... I'm so proud of him and happy for him that he's pursuing his heart."
Amy Robach, formerly of NBC's "Weekend Today," started on "GMA" Monday as a replacement for Elliott, who will not be back on the show to say farewell. George Stephanopoulos and Lara Spencer acknowledged Elliott's departure and sent him their best wishes from the "GMA" anchor desk Monday. The show will air a 'best of Josh Elliott' montage, according to Roberts, though Elliott himself will not be there.
ABC News president Ben Sherwood commented on Elliott's exit in a statement earlier this week, saying: "As many of you know, we have been negotiating with Josh these past several months. In good faith, we worked hard to close a significant gap between our generous offer and his expectations. In the end, Josh felt he deserved a different deal and so he chose a new path."