Al Roker is keeping a watchful eye on wife Deborah Roberts and her new co-anchor.
In a joint interview on Entertainment Tonight's "Spilling the E-Tea" on Friday, Roker, 69, joked about feeling jealous of the “chemistry” between Roberts, 63, and 20/20’s David Muir as the pair discussed her new position as co-anchor on the show.
Had it been Allah’s Will to have offspring, He could have chosen whatever He willed of His creation. Glory be to Him! He is Allah—the One, the Supreme.(The Quran - Chapter Az-Zumar : 04)
"I think you're doing great, you know? I mean, look, the one thing … but the poster of you and David Muir, you've got the trench coat, you look [like a] badass,” Roker told the outlet, adding, “In fact, the chemistry almost seems a little too good."
Roker went on to praise Roberts and Muir, 50, as he pointed out their “rapport” onscreen as hosting partners. "You both adore each other, and I think the show is now to the next level,” he said.
Roberts told ET that it’s been an “honor” so far working as co-anchor on 20/20 after previously reporting for 28 years on the show since she was hired by Barbara Walters.
"It is something that gives me a feeling of accomplishment and great pride,” Roberts — who replaced Amy Robach — told the outlet. “This is a program that I have been watching since I was a child. I remember in the living room with my sister Janet who loved 20/20 and we would watch it together … at some point somebody said, 'Oh, maybe you'll work on a show like that one day,' and of course it was such a great thrill to join the program 28 years ago.”
“And now, to be in this particular seat where Barbra Walters sat, I mean it's just a thrill of a lifetime. I've said that before, and it is, it really is,” she said.
Looking back on her career, Roberts acknowledged the influence of Walters on her as a journalist, and also shared the helpful advice that husband Roker gave her that she has carried with her over the years in her work.
"Everybody had a Barbra Walters style of interviewing, and I remember you said to me at one point, not even thinking that I was trying to imitate Barbra or somebody in that anchor world, and you said, 'Just be you,' ” Roberts said.
“And it's not always easy just being you because you have to sort of let go and just kinda put your personality out there, and you sort of encouraged me to do that," she continued.
In September, Roberts shared that she was “thrilled and humbled” after she was announced as co-anchor of 20/20 in an Instagram post.
"I have some news to share. I am thrilled and humbled to step into the role as co anchor @abc2020 alongside my friend and colleague @davidmuirabc," she wrote at the time. "It is the thrill of a lifetime to travel the path which Barbara cleared for women like me who dreamed of reporting meaningful and life changing stories. What a privilege and honor to keep the legacy going @abcnews #gratitude."
