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Sam Champion can get his teeth around giving "Good Morning America" viewers a literal taste of the show this summer. The ABC program's weekday weather anchor has played a big on-air role in introducing Ben & Jerry's and Good Morning America's Sunrise Sundae, available at most Ben & Jerry's stores until Labor Day. It makes a waffle bowl the base for a combination of Coffee, Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz! ice cream, caramel sauce, brownie bits and whipped cream. The audience that gathers outside the "GMA" studio in New York's Times Square clearly has been into the fun – and the flavor – whenever the sundae is featured. "I can't tell you which happened first, whether the crowd brings the spirit or the spirit brings the crowd," the pleasant Champion reflects. "That audience brings so much to our show, every day. It's different people, but it's very much the same energy. The best part of our day is to go out there and hang out with them." It's even better for Champion when food is involved. "That's probably because I'm the eating one," he muses. "It's true that when I first took this job, I gained maybe 14 pounds in just a matter of months. "Your metabolism is out of whack because you're getting up at weird hours, and you're eating food you shouldn't be eating at all the wrong times of the day. It's 7 a.m., and you're having steak and a twicebaked potato and some kind of pasta." Plus, it's hard to refuse some of the world's top chefs when they're cooking for you, as Champion knows. "When you have Emeril (Lagasse) or Mario (Batali) or Wolfgang (Puck) coming in and preparing these dishes," he says, "it's impossible for you to say 'No.' You say, 'OK, I'm just going to take a bite,' ... and you end up wolfing down the whole thing." BY JAY BOBBIN Sam Champion What are you currently reading? Sundae will never be the same for Sam Champion of 'GMA' BEST SECOND CHANCES Jason Lee Holly Hunter Brooke Elliott "I don't get a chance to read as much as I want to, I used to read for pleasure, but now, we read for the show – to prepare for an interview or something. When I used to get on an airplane, I'd bring a book; now, I sleep." What did you have for dinner last night? "I rarely eat out during the week, but I had Dover sole and ravioli with Porcini mushrooms. And a lot of those little appetizers they put in front of you." BY BEVERLY FOSTER SEINBERG "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (1941) An angelic foul-up results in a prizefighter's soul being taken from his body far too early. Since that body has been cremated, his spirit is sent back to Earth in the body of a crooked millionaire, whose wrongs he sets about righting. Robert Montgomery has the lead role in this charming comedy-fantasy – but not the title role. Mr. Jordan (Claude Rains) is actually the heavenly executive who engineers the switch. "Heaven Can Wait" (1978) This remake of "Mr. Jordan" reclaimed the title of the play on which both films were based. Warren Beatty, who also produced and co-directed, has the title role of a prematurely dead athlete – a football player this time – reborn in the body of an unsavory character. "A Christmas Carol" Pick your favorite Scrooge, and God bless them, every one. From Reginald Owen and Alastair Sim to George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart and Mr. Magoo, numerous actors – and occasionally actresses – have taken on the role of the misanthropic miser who gets a lesson in what will become of him if he doesn't change his ways. And change he does. "My Name Is Earl" (NBC, 2005-09) After winning the lottery and losing the ticket, the ne'er-do-well title character (Jason Lee) decides to tip his karma scales by making amends for everything he's done wrong in his life. And he brought us along for the ride, for four hilarious seasons of this hit sitcom. "Saving Grace" (TNT, 2007-10) An Oklahoma City police detective on a self-destructive path gets a wake-up call from an angel who helps her get back on track. Holly Hunter earned two Emmy nominations for her portrayal of Grace in this well-done drama; Leon Rippy played her tobacco-chewing, tough-love-giving guardian angel. "Drop Dead Diva" (Lifetime, 2009-) After being killed in a car crash, an airheaded, shallow model is restored to life in the body of a lawyer who has a plus-size brain and a body to match. Brooke Elliott, in her first series starring role, ably inhabits the character in this smart dramedy series, which recently began its fifth season. 8 The Goshen News • TV Spotlight • July 29-August 4, 2013

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