The other big issue is how will Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan do the show together now that there is so much tension between the two of them.
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In an email obtained by Deadline, Ripa thanked the daytime show’s staff for their support and confirmed she would be returning to work on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, speculation has been running that Ripa may also be crowded out of her current timeslot, if “GMA’s” acquisition of Strahan is part of a strategy to expand the show to a third hour.
Looks like things are cooling off over at “Live! with Kelly and Michael”, just in time for Kelly Ripa’s return on Tuesday. With Kelly and Michael”-Regis Philbin”. The pair “did not get along”.
The first source told People that Ripa’s silence is deliberate.
Following Michael Strahan’s shocking exit from “Live!”.
“He was having temper tantrums”. The rumor mill has said that she was given an ultimatum by Disney to be there on Tuesday or else. Ripa’s no-show hissy fit has left him holding the bag with a succession of stand-ins for her on “Live”. After hearing the news, she took an unplanned day off on Wednesday (20Apr16), with Ana Gasteyer drafted in as a last minute replacement for Kelly’s morning slot. She perceives that “Live” is sometimes treated as a second fiddle while “GMA” is ABC’s top priority. They believe she’s jeopardizing their jobs and only thinking about herself.
The staff is reportedly anxious that they could lose their jobs and believe Ripa is essentially having a “tantrum”.
Now fans will start wondering what they’ll say – wondering how candid Ripa will be about her frustrations and how Strahan will handle the delicate situation. While this is all probably very stressful for those close to the show, that Tuesday morning episode will probably have great ratings.
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Strahan sent his own message while on air Thursday, and it’s clear he wants to make peace. “I wanted to thank you all for giving me the time to process this new information”, the email read. “And Michael Gelman showed me the ropes”.
