On Tuesday morning, as promised, Kelly Ripa returned to “Live! With Kelly and Michael” and took some time to address the “long national nightmare,” as she referred to it.
Kelly spoke on the week’s worth of ‘sick days’ she took after learning that Michael Strahan would be leaving the show for a seat at Good Morning America. “In that time I gained some perspective,” said Ripa. I always speak from the heart. I didn’t want to come up here and say something I might regret.”
There have been a ton of rumors surrounding this ordeal. Some say Kelly Ripa was upset at Michael Strahan, others say Strahan wasn’t the issue, it was the show’s executives.
“So what transpired though over the course of a few days has been extraordinary in the sense that it started a much greater conversation about communication and consideration and most importantly, respect in workplace,” Ripa said regarding the fact she wasn’t properly informed about Strahan’s move prior to his announcement on air. “Apologies have been made and the best thing to come out of all of this, you guys, is that our parent company has assured me that Live is a priority.”
Before closing, Kelly Ripa made sure to make it clear that she was happy for Strahan, saying, “I am thrilled for Michael. This is a tremendous opportunity and I couldn’t be more proud of you and everything we accomplished together.”
Though things seem to be going swell for now, new reports say that Michael Strahan’s exit will be coming sooner than anticipated. Instead of leaving the show in September, sources say that May 13 will be his final day on “Live!”
“May 13 is his last show,” a source tells PEOPLE. “He’ll take the summer off and GMA can integrate him early before September, and this will give Live!more time to find the co-host. He’s totally fine with that. Now he can enjoy his summer.”
The news was confirmed by ABC. “After meeting with the producers of both Live! and Good Morning America, and after speaking with Kelly and Michael, we have decided on a plan that best advantages both shows for the future.”
So, as of May 13, the show will once again begin their search for a new co-host.
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