'Proud' Al Roker Celebrates Wife Deborah Roberts' New '20/20' Gig
Al Roker showered praise on his wife, Deborah Roberts, as she celebrated receiving a promotion to become the new co-anchor of 20/20, replacing Amy Robach.
The Today show weathercaster posted about the big news on Instagram, sharing a new promotional photo of Roberts and co-host David Muir along with the message, "So proud of @debrobertsabc being named co-anchor [alongside] @davidmuirabc of legendary #newsmagazine @abc2020."
Roker went on, "It was 28 years ago when #barbarawalters was on the other end of the phone, [inviting] Deborah to lunch and talk about joining her on the broadcast. And now, she gets to continue that legacy. #iloveitwhenaplancomestogether."
Roberts commented on her husband's post, "So honored and humbled. 💜," while Muir shared just a red heart emoji, "❤️."
Sheinelle Jones, a Today co-anchor, celebrated the news in the comments, writing, "This!!!! ❤️❤️❤️." Today lifestyle contributor Jill Martin also responded to Roker's post, simply typing, "!!!!!!!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥."
Many fans of both Roker and Roberts also commented with congratulations and sweet words as they reacted to the latter's exciting promotion.
"I have not watched 20/20 since Barbara and Huge hosted…with your amazing wife now host I will tune in! CONGRATULATIONS Debra!" exclaimed one viewer.
Another fan gushed, "Love her work, professionalism and grace when interviewing and reporting. Truly wish I had her growing up. Always a joy to see her and now more of her with David."
Roberts spoke with Variety about her new role on 20/20, telling the publication, "Once you have really planted yourself firmly into a program like this as I have over the years, you look for more."
She said that thanks to her new position as co-anchor, "you always feel like you have a little more ownership of a program, and more of a say in what it’s all about.”
Before this, Roberts was a contributing correspondent for 20/20. Past anchors for the news program include Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Sam Donaldson, Connie Chung, and Chris Cuomo, among others.
Roberts will officially take over alongside Muir later this week, as the 46th season premieres on Friday, Sept. 29 via ABC.
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