Kelly Ripa is furious. The “Live! With Kelly & Michael” host is allegedly refusing to return to work on the show after Michael Straham announced his departure, and revealed he was leaving the show to work full time on “Good Morning America,” without telling her first.
Kelly Ripa Furious With Michael Strahan, Refusing To Return To Work?
According to Entertainment Weekly, Kelly Ripa was completely “blindsided” by Michael Strahan deciding to leave “Live! With Kelly and Michael.” Strahan, who took the stage the day after his announcement with substitute co-host, Ana Gasteyer, made light of his decision to leave the morning show, and praised Ripa for the time he spent with her.
“She has been an amazing influence on me, and this has truly changed my life to be here with her,” Straham said.
ABCMichael Strahan Hurt By Kelly Ripa’s Reaction To His Departure
Meanwhile, “Live! With Kelly and Michael” will be hanging in the balance. Kelly Ripa has not revealed when she’ll return to the show, but her contract will expire next year, so it’s possible she’ll be looking for greener pastures. Kelly’s been on the show for 15 years, taking over for Kathy Lee Gifford after she left, and the moving into the captain’s spot after Regis Philbin retired.
It looks like Kelly Ripa will now need to make some big decisions, including who will replace Michael Strahan. While many names such as Neil Patrick Harris and Jerry O’Connell have been thrown around, it will likely be difficult for her to mesh with yet another co-host under this strained and rocky circumstances.
