Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 4, 2025 · Entertainment

Sara Haines on 'Crying Every Day': The Emotional Downfall of GMA3

Sara Haines, 47, (pictured) has opened up about the emotional toll of her time on GMA3: Strahan, Sara and Keke, calling the defunct daytime talk show a 'failed experiment'

Sara Haines Spills All on ABC's Canceled Talk Show: A "Failed Experiment" that Left Her in Tears

In a candid interview with Danielle Robay on her popular podcast, "Question Everything", Sara Haines, co-host of The View, dished out the juicy details about her time on ABC's GMA3: Strahan, Sara and Keke. The show, which aired from 2018 to 2020, was a rebranded version of Good Morning America Day, with several lineup changes along the way.

The Writing Was on the Wall

Initially launched as GMA Day, the now-canceled ABC daytime talk show featured former NFL star Michael Strahan (left) and actress Keke Palmer (center)

Haines, now 47, revealed that she had her doubts about the show from its inception. "I think the problem was it was a failed experiment from the beginning," she confessed. A telling moment came when the network presented her with potential names for the show. Haines remembered being appalled by the final choice, which she jokingly said should have been a red flag.

A Recipe for Disaster

The show's turbulent history began with its launch as GMA Day, followed by rebrands Strahan & Sara and eventually Strahan, Sara & Keke. Despite having a talented lineup featuring former NFL star Michael Strahan and actress Keke Palmer, Haines admitted she struggled to live up to the expectations of her colleagues.

During her tenure, the show went through a series of rebrands. GMA Day was rebranded to Strahan & Sara with the addition of Michael Strahan (left) and later evolved into Strahan, Sara & Keke with the arrival of actress Keke Palmer

"I put so much pressure on myself," Haines revealed. "I felt like I was trying to be someone I wasn't, which is not easy for anyone to do." The added stress of pregnancy took a toll on her mental health. "When I found out I was pregnant with my third child, it was the beginning of all the falling dominoes," she said.

A Wake-Up Call

Haines' husband, Max Shifrin, offered some much-needed clarity when he told her, "Stop holding on to this show like it was the dream you had, because it never was. It just sounded like it." This advice marked a turning point for Haines, who began to reevaluate her priorities.

Though the talent lineup was strong, Haines admitted she put immense 'pressure' on herself to match the stature Strahan and Palmer already held in the industry

A Workplace That Felt Unrecognizable

After returning from maternity leave, Haines found herself in a challenging work environment. "I felt like I could still jump out of planes," she said, but her producers had different ideas about what was feasible for a new mom. "They were like, 'Oh we can't have a mom do that.' Well, guess what? Moms do a lot of stuff."

A Sense of Belonging

But, luckily for her, a turning point came when her husband, Max Shifrin (pictured) offered some much-needed clarity

Haines described feeling like an outsider at the show's office. "I felt like I was being dragged behind a car," she said. "For the first time, I couldn't wait to leave." The former GMA3 host expressed her gratitude for the staff, but admitted that she no longer felt like she belonged.

A Lack of Identity

Haines pinpointed the show's core issue as its failure to establish a clear identity. "They needed to keep it branded [to GMA] to make it work," she said. "If it was going to be a standalone, it couldn't be a replication." The format tried too hard to mimic successful models like Live with Kelly and Michael, rather than creating something original.

Then another problem arose when, after returning from maternity leave, Haines found herself in a workplace that felt unrecognizable. She was now offered only 'mom-focused' segments. Pictured: Haines on Danielle Robay's 'Question Everything' podcast

A New Chapter

After the cancellation of GMA3: Strahan, Sara and Keke, Haines returned to The View in 2020. This move marked a new beginning for her, one that she described as personally restorative. "Every fall you have you take something with you," she said, "and I came back with a louder voice." With this newfound confidence, Haines is ready to tackle the world of television once again.

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Although she said there were 'a lot of great moments,' and praised the staff as 'amazing,' Haines ultimately felt like she no longer belonged. 'I loved Keke and Michael. I mean, talk about laughing until you hurt,' she said. Pictured: Michael Strahan, Keke Palmer and Sara Haines in New York City

Robay, D. (2023). Sara Haines Opens Up About the Emotional Toll of Her Time on GMA3: Strahan, Sara and Keke. TheScholarlyNote.com.