Ariel Zilber
ABC News weatherman Rob Marciano was fired by the Disney-owned network this week after engaging in a “heated screaming match” with one of the show’s producers that was witnessed by other staffers, according to a report.
News of Marciano’s tirade, which was reported by The Daily Beast, got back to Ginger Zee, chief meteorologist for ABC and “Good Morning America,” who then alerted her superiors, according to the report.
Marciano’s history of alleged “anger management issues” as well as complaints about his behavior prompted network executives to decide that the latest outburst “was the last straw,” insiders told The Daily Beast.
The Post reported earlier this week that Marciano, who was hired by “GMA” in 2014 to replace Zee as its weekend meteorologist, frequently clashed with Zee over a period of years.
The feud between the two was kept under wraps for years by management, which was aware of Marciano’s “hot temper” as well as Zee’s wont to be “nasty,” sources told The Post.
“She treated him as a beta and she was the alpha,” a media executive told The Post.
Marciano allegedly made female staffers at “GMA” uncomfortable and awkward because of his tendency to “overshare” information about his divorce from his then-wife, Eryn Marciano, according to The Daily Beast.
Marciano’s marriage to Eryn Marciano ended in January of last year.
The two were married for 11 years and share two kids.
Staffers also complained that Marciano had been “cranky” throughout the course of his divorce proceedings.
The Post has sought comment from ABC News, Marciano and Zee.
Marciano’s was hired at the same time that the network launched a round-the-clock weather unit meant to provide 24-hour-a-day coverage for ABC News’ various programs, including “GMA” and “World News Tonight.”
At the time, Zee was promoted to chief meteorologist at “GMA” following Sam Champion’s departure for The Weather Channel.
However, the two clashed often, and Zee immediately “pulled rank” over assignments, an insider told The Post.
Marciano is also reported to have alienated other staffers at the network with his behavior.
Last year, ABC network honchos banned him from “GMA”‘s Times Square studios after he allegedly made a colleague feel uncomfortable. Page Six was the first to report the news.
“He was found to have done something … that was improper, but he was punished for it, and they still haven’t let him return,” one insider told Page Six at the time.
Marciano contributed occasional field reports for “GMA” but was not permitted to enter the studio.
He was moved recently to “World News Tonight.”
A source speculated to The Post earlier this week that Marciano’s salary — which was said to be a little less than $1 million when he was hired away from “Entertainment Tonight” — was too much money.
Additional Reporting by Alexandra Steigrad
This post was originally posted by New York Post
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