Kelly Ripa: New Co-Host Rumors Include Neil Patrick Harris, Anderson Cooper
Kelly Ripa will be getting a new co-host soon, and rumors are already flying as to who will fill Michael Strahan’s shoes once he leaves on Friday the 13th.
Ripa will, of course, have a few guest hosts come and hang out until the spot is permanently filled– starting with Jimmy Kimmel on Monday May 16th — but it’s unclear who’ll take the job for good. According to sources close to Live!, Kelly is pushing for her good friend Anderson Cooper to take over the gig, but he has commitments with CNN for the foreseeable future. Other rumored Strahan replacements include Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Groban, and Mario Lopez, who has quite a bit of hosting experience. There have also been whispers about Cooper’s CNN co-worker Don Lemon making a move to Live!, but again, nothing has been confirmed.
Kelly posted a photo on Instagram recently with Broad City‘s Abbi Jacobson, and while Abbi isn’t rumored to be in the running for co-host, a morning talk show with the two of them hosting would be a hilarious idea. Ripa made a guest appearance on the Comedy Central show and surprised fans with her comedic timing, playing a wacky version of herself.
Kelly Ripa was pretty upset last month when it was announced that Strahan would be leaving the show; the talk show host reportedly only found out he had taken a full-time job with Good Morning America on the same day the news was broken to fans, and Ripa failed to show up on set in a silent protest against the lack of communication. When she returned the next day, Ripa was given a standing ovation by the studio audience and gave a speech about why she made the decision to stay home, saying she felt that after so many years on the show, she had earned the right.
“What transpired 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.
Michael Strahan appeared to take Ripa’s absence and dramatic return in stride–despite a couple of seemingly pointed comments Ripa made in Strahan’s direction that many fans took to be leftover resentment — and thanked her for everything she’d taught him during their time together.
“They were tense, bless their hearts. Backstage there was some tension because it could have gone any way, but once it got underway it was beautiful. You know, Kelly gave a monologue and she got to clear the air. They’re professional people,” said guest Bellamy Young.
In the midst of all the drama, Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa won a Daytime Emmy for Best Entertainment Talk Show Host and brought their statues out on stage with them last week, saying they were shocked they’d won. The duo hadn’t been able to attend the awards ceremony because it was in L.A. and they film in New York.
“I didn’t realize we had even won an Emmy until I started getting text messages from all of my friends,” Ripa said.
Whoever takes over Strahan’s post will likely have to be personally vetted by Kelly Ripa, as she will undoubtedly have some measure of control over who gets the job. Not only has she been with Live! for 15 years, but producers will more than likely want to keep her happy after the way she reacted to Michael’s announcement.
Live! has been renewed through the 2019-2020 season, but Kelly’s contract with the show will end next year, which means she’ll be able to negotiate a new deal soon.
Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images
