Kelly Ripa Co-Host: Rumored Strahan Replacement Doesn’t Want ‘Live’ Gig
The long absence of a permanent Kelly Ripa co-host on Live has led to a lot of rumors about who ABC would finally pick to replace Michael Strahan. Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly has been linked with the job though she is currently in the middle of her contract renegotiation.
Megyn Kelly, who hosts The Kelly File, appeared on Live earlier this month as a guest host. Her appearance reportedly earned the morning show its highest ratings in six months, which is the duration of Strahan’s departure, the Wrap reported.
On Wednesday, Gossip Cop dismissed an OK! Magazine story that claimed Megyn Kelly is looking to leave political commentary and join Kelly Ripa on Live.
A source reportedly told OK! that Kelly arrived at the decision to become Kelly Ripa’s co-host permanently because of how well the two clicked during her Live appearance. The source added that Kelly has since informed her representatives to pursue the vacant ABC job, Hollywood Life reported.
“She and Kelly really clicked,” the source said. “[Megyn] has been looking to segue out of news for a while now. She told her agent she wants to be considered for ‘Live.’ The timing would be perfect, and she could bring along her following from Fox News.”
Meanwhile, a Megyn Kelly representative has categorically denied the claims that she does not want to renew her contract with Fox News. The rep told Gossip Cop that stories of Megyn Kelly leaving Fox News to become Kelly Ripa’s co-host are simply “not true.”
According to the rep, 46-year-old Megyn Kelly is happy with Fox News, where she is running her show.
ABC has been looking for Strahan replacement since April when the former NFL player quit Live to join Good Morning America.
The former Kelly Ripa co-host, who had worked on the show for about four years, did not inform her about his decision to quit. Ripa reportedly learned about Strahan’s departure hours before ABC’s parent company Disney announced the news.
Disney CEO Bob Iger reportedly told Strahan not to inform Ripa that he was leaving the show.
Ripa took some time off from the show following the announcement of Strahan’s departure and reports that Disney wanted to take some hours off Live.
“The show of support during this bizarre time has been really overwhelming. I needed a couple of days to gather my thought and after 26 years, I earned the right,” Ripa said after returning to work.
She added, “Apologies have been made. It started a much greater conversion about communication, consideration, and most importantly, respect in the workplace. I am thrilled for Michael. This is a tremendous opportunity and I couldn’t be prouder of you and all that we accomplished together.”
Strahan’s absence has seen Kelly Ripa co-host the long-running show with about 51 guests. Besides Megyn Kelly, other high-profile guest hosts include CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Bravo host Andy Cohen.
Regis Philbin, who used to host Live, has also been named as one of the potential replacements for Strahan. However, the 85-year-old legend who started Live in 1988 along with Kathie Lee Gifford has said it is unlikely that he would return to the show.
Regis Philbin told TMZ that he cannot return to the show because he is tired after years of working on television. Philbin, who was at his witty and cheerful best, dodged a question about who he thinks show be Strahan’s replacement and Kelly Ripa’s co-host.
In 2001, Regis Philbin worked as Kelly Ripa’s co-host when she made her debut on the show. The two worked together until 2011, when Philbin left the show to be replaced by Strahan, according to Entertainment Weekly.
[Featured Image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]