Michael Strahan: ‘Everyone Got The Wrong Impression’ About What’s Going On At ‘Live!’
Michael Strahan was among the many guests at last night’s Met Gala, and he took some time to talk to Entertainment Tonight about what’s been going on at Live! the last few weeks. There have been a lot of stories about feuding between Strahan and Ripa and reports about the reasons his departure date was moved from September to May. But Strahan tells ET that “everyone got the wrong impression” about how he feels about the show.
Michael and Kelly won Emmys earlier this week for Best Daytime Talk Entertainment Show Hosts. Neither of them attended the ceremony. They explained their absence as being the result of the award show’s location — Los Angeles. Strahan and Ripa do their daily show in New York, and the Daytime Emmys are held in Los Angeles. Strahan expressed his gratitude to the crew of Live! on Monday morning.
“I know we sit up here in front of the camera, but they’re the ones that make this show work. It’s about a team. Congratulations to everyone here at Live!”
A source told ET that producers are still trying to figure out what to do for Michael’s last show on May 13.
“If it seems too celebratory, it’ll seem disingenuous due to all the known drama.”
As far as the decision to move the date up, that was in order to not draw out an uncomfortable situation. The source said Ripa and Strahan are “playing nicely together, but all parties felt it best to not drag it out all summer.”
TMZ reported a portion of the contents of the notice that went out to Live! employees regarding the change in Michael’s departure date.
“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. To that end, Michael’s last day on Live will be Friday, May 13, which not only gives the show the chance to have an appropriate send off for him during the May sweeps, but to also immediately give Kelly and the producers an opportunity to begin the on-air search for a new co-host.”
Strahan says he is still enjoying Live! with Kelly and Michael and is grateful for the experience.
“Every week is great, every day is great for me. I’m on the other side of the dirt. Yeah I’m looking forward to [moving to Good Morning America full time], but I’m still looking forward to going to work for Live!… I love being there. I still love it… It’s a great show, great people, and I’m very fortunate to be a part of it.”
There was obvious on-air tension between Strahan and Ripa since the announcement of his leaving the show for a full-time stint with Good Morning America, but both seem more at ease together on the air. Reports are that Strahan and Ripa are more friendly during commercial breaks as well.
An insider told Radar Online, “During the breaks Kelly and Michael were laughing and whispering things into each others’ ears. It really looked like they had put their differences aside and are back to being friends.”
Michael Strahan is 44-years-old. He’s been on Live! with Kelly and Michael since 2008. Other TV and film credits for Strahan include appearances on TV series Blackish,Entourage, Are We There Yet?, Brothers, and Chuck as well as the movie Magic Mike XXL. He also provided the voice for the character Teddy in the upcoming movie Ice Age: Collision Course. Strahan is also set to host a revival of the game show $100,000 Pyramid.
[Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images]
