It’s not often that one network celebrates a programming event staged by another. Then again, there aren’t many talents on TV like Michael Strahan, who has prominent roles at both ABC and FOX. AND it isn’t often that a prominent talent like that is sent to outer space!
On Saturday, Michael Strahan was among the passengers of the Blue Origin ship that blasted off for a trip to the edge of space. The flight lasted ten minutes and allowed Strahan and others to experience weightlessness while reaching an altitude of 66 miles above the Earth.
Strahan was back on terra firma and in the studio Sunday for FOX. Curt Menefee joked that he had the longest work commute ever recorded.
“Thank you. Thank you. I don’t feel like an earthling anymore,” Strahan joked.
A video documenting the experience was shown. It showed blastoff, the crew experiencing weightlessness, and the capsul’s return to Earth. Strahan’s crewmates noted that the Hall of Famer never seemed nervous until the countdown started.
The video was followed immediately by questions from his FOX NFL Sunday colleagues.
Terry Bradshaw said weightlessness and space travel was “something I’m never gonna do, because I won’t even do a Ferris wheel.” He noted just how many things could go wrong and asked Michael Strahan if there was ever a moment where he questioned his decision.
Strahan responded that being with Blue Origin all week helped ease any fears. It allowed him to see just how many people are working on these flights and how much time and expertise each individual job takes. He said that even when he looked at the other passengers on the flight, he realized none of them were as nervous as anyone watching the liftoff at home.
“I am more comfortable with Blue Origin than I am getting on a plane and flying from New York to Los Angeles every week,” he said.
Howie Long came with the toughest question. He noted that Michael Strahan was part of the biggest Super Bowl upset ever. He is in the Hall of Fame. He just had his jersey retired by the New York Giants. So where does going into space rank amongst his professional thrills?
“It was out of this world,” Strahan said laughing. “Pun intended.”
He described the feeling of weightlessness as just the beginning of the experience. He said that in addition to floating, he was overwhelmed by the reality of the vastness and darkness of space and the fragility of life from up above the atmosphere. He also noted that he celebrated a safe return to Earth with his mother and kids.
The trip to space for Michael Strahan was a major event for Good Morning America. He serves as a host for ABC’s weekday morning show. Maybe in the past, it is the kind of thing FOX would avoid talking about on its airwaves, but kudos to that network. Bosses at FOX clearly realize that in the age of mass information, you are a fool not to acknowledge major news your audience is already aware of.
