Kelly Ripa Threatening To Quit ‘Live!’ Unless Andy Cohen Or Anderson Cooper Join [Report]

Kelly Ripa is allegedly threatening to quit Live! with Kelly and Michael unless ABC replaces Michael Strahan with her choice of co-host.

Us Weekly is reporting that Ripa has supposedly discussed leaving the show after 15 years unless the network brings on either Anderson Cooper or Andy Cohen as her co-host when Strahan, her co-host of four years, exits next month.

According to an insider who spoke to the site following Ripa’s return on April 26, Kelly is supposedly “talking about leaving” unless she gets her way and “hopes Anderson Cooper or Andy Cohen gets the job.” Otherwise, she may follow Strahan out the door.

“Unless one of them can come on, she doesn’t really want to do it,” the insider added of Ripa, noting that the producers are allegedly currently considering Jerry O’Connell for the position.

Reports that Kelly is considering leaving Live! with Kelly and Michael come just one day after a spokesperson for the show announced that Strahan will be leaving months earlier that originally planned on May 18 in order for the series to find his replacement via “on-air search for a new co-host.”

Although Kelly Ripa has not spoken about the rumors regarding her departure, the co-host returned to the morning show on April 26 following a week-long hiatus after the news broke that Strahan had quit in order to take on a full-time role on Good Morning America.

TMZ reported that Kelly was blindsided by Michael’s decision and allegedly felt as though he “stabbed her in the back” by not telling her the big news before announcing his departure to the world.

Ripa then addressed the situation during her return to the morning show on April 26, where she told viewers that her decision to take some time away from the series was all about respect.

According to Us Weekly, Kelly called the drama surrounding the show a nightmare upon her return before launching into a pretty lengthy monologue about respect in the workplace.

“I’m going to be completely honest,” Kelly Ripa told viewers upon her return on April 26, “I first want to honestly, sincerely thank you for welcoming me back to the show. The show of support through this bizarre time has been really overwhelming.”

“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 the workplace,” Ripa said, marking her first time sitting alongside Strahan since the surprising news broke last week.

Revealing that she considers the studio to be her second home, Kelly Ripa continued, “This is a place that I’ve devoted myself to not just because of you, our loyal viewers, but because of all of the producers and the crew who work on this show. We have an incredible team.”

Kelly did not address rumors that she was considering leaving during her April 26 monologue, but Ripa did admit that she felt a commitment to those that work at Live! with Kelly and Michael as well as the show’s loyal viewers.

“There is a commitment to this show and the people that work here and most importantly to you, the viewers, who have watched us every day for 30 years…. this is entertainment. It’s supposed to be entertaining.”

Kelly Ripa has yet to comment on reports that she’s considering leaving Live! with Kelly and Michael.

What do you think of reports that Kelly Ripa may soon be quitting Live! with Kelly and Michael after 15 years unless Anderson Cooper or Andy Cohen take over Michael Strahan’s role?

[Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images]