Strahan, a former National Football League star, has been a hit with “Live” viewers and became a twice a week contributor to “Good Morning America” in 2014.
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People’s source said, “He never wanted any of this to happen”, referring to Kelly’s sudden disappearance on a “previously arranged vacation”, said to be a cover for her angry reaction to news he is leaving for “Good Morning America” this summer. “I am extremely grateful for the fantastic support I’ve received from all of the fans”, Strahan said.
In a late-night email, she told her staff that “We are a family and I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday morning”.
Ana Gasteyer and Erin Andrews are scheduled to take over on Monday since Ripa had already requested time off before the whole ordeal.
If ABC puts Michael on hiatus until September it won’t be hard to round-up a revolving door of co-hosts. No one but Ripa knows if she plans on returning on Tuesday.
While Ripa declined to speak to reporters waiting outside as she left for the airport, CBS noted that she was prominently displaying a book in her hands: “Malcolm Gladwell’s David and Goliath: “Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants”. The talk show host, actress, producer and parent has a long-running television show with her name on it and a string of successful endorsement deals.
Multiple reports stated that Ripa was blindsided by the news that Strahan is leaving “Live!” to join “GMA”.
With “Live” likely to repeat that audition process, Ripa will have to carry the show aided by a series of guest sidekicks whose familiarity with the daytime talk format and with “Live” specifically will be near nil compared to her own. Sources told People magazine Strahan’s departure is “hanging over [Kelly] as she goes to celebrate this milestone”.
In fact, ABC reportedly fears that when Kelly Ripa does return to LIVE, she will be more open about her feud with Michael Strahan.
So at this point, it’s probably best to begin wagering on Strahan’s replacement.
Strahan told the Live! audiences on Thursday how “thankful” he is for Kelly and how he is going to “miss everybody”.
The email was first reported by The New York Times.
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“I really want to thank of course Kelly Ripa because Kelly welcomed me here and I’ve learned so much from her”, he said.
