Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan are going to need more than an extra shot of espresso to survive the mornings ahead.
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And sources are saying that the usually sunny, upbeat Ripa won’t return to the show the rest of the week – and some are saying she won’t return until Strahan leaves for good.
Ripa’s former co-host offered support when TMZ caught up with the 84-year-old media personality in New York City on April 21.
Reports say Ripa completely lost it when she was told the news after last Tuesday’s taping, right before it was announced publicly, and then did not show up for work on Wednesday, sparking rumors she was going to quit.
Live! with Kelly and Michael will never be the same again, now that the Michael in the title, Michael Strachan, has absconded to ABC’s Good Morning America.
“She wants to wait and see what happens”, the source said.
Strahan was reportedly acting out on set, allegedly over the stress of co-hosting “Live!” and appearing on “Good Morning America” two days per week.
Ripa will be away from the show until Tuesday, at least, for a previously scheduled vacation.
One ABC News insider claimed that the nature of the announcement-and the lack of advance notice given to Ripa and the “Live” team-was a function of how quickly Strahan’s deal came together.
Now Ripa has left town, and Strahan isn’t talking to the press about anything.
“I was reading some stuff and it sounded like I had died”, he said.
Sources said she’s also concerned that the company is sacrificing the success of her popular show to bolster GMA, which is dealing with declining ratings and a threat from morning news show rival “Today”. Freed from the “Live” daily shooting schedule, Strahan will now become a fixture on “GMA” across both hours of the show.
“Live With Kelly & Michael” is produced by ABC Domestic Television and airs in syndication on stations across the country.
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As did Oprah, Philbin praised Strahan. The show won a daytime Emmy past year for best talk show. And once a new host is in place, Ripa will still have to help break him or her in. The departing co-host addressed the situation diplomatically.
