Kelly Ripa’s Co-Host: Anderson Cooper At The Top Of The List

For nine months, Kelly Ripa has been hosting Live! With Kelly with guest host after guest host. In two weeks, however, ABC will finally announce a permanent replacement for Regis Philbin. So who will be Ripa’s new co-host? Anderson Cooper? Seth Meyers? Michael Strahan?

Right now, it’s easier to tell who won’t be the new co-host.

For one, Seth Meyers is out. The SNL actor told the Orlando Sentinel earlier this month:

“No, no, no, no, no… I know [Philbin's replacement] is a very important thing down there. But, right now, what I would say to you: I’m really in love with the job I have. I’m very excited to be going back [to "Saturday Night Live"] for the election season, which is always fun.”

Ok, so Kelly Ripa’s co-host won’t be Seth Meyers.

What about her husband, Mark Consuelos?

Ripa acknowledged that her husband would be a great co-host but said that she wasn’t sure if their marriage would survive if they worked together everyday.

Ripa said:

“No one would make me happier than Mark, but he values our marriage and he says that he doesn’t see how we could stay married and both do that show.”

Ok, what about Anderson Cooper?

Ripa has said that Anderson Cooper is at the top of her list.

Ripa said:

 ”If it could be anyone in the universe, it would be Anderson Cooper… We have a connection like nobody else… I worship him!”

But Cooper is a pretty busy guy and he might not be able to commit to another daily show. Cooper hosts Anderson 360 on CNN and is a regular contributor to CBS. Adding another show to his plate might be a little too much for the silver fox.

So who else? According to the International Business Times, one clue may be how many times each host has been invited back to Live! With Kelly. Michael Strahan has co-hosted 15 times, Josh Groban has filled in for Regis a dozen times, and Jerry O’Connell has played nice beside Ripa nine times.

Who do you think will be Kelly Ripa’s new co-host?