'Live' Misfire Apology from Michael Strahan to Kelly Ripa

Kelly Ripa has heard a lot of “I’m sorrys” in recent days, including from her cohost Michael Strahan.

Ripa, star of ABC’s morning chat show “Live with Kelly and Michael,” is due to return to the program Tuesday after sitting out most of last week. She was said to be upset that she was kept out of the loop for the network’s plan to switch Strahan to “Good Morning America” later this year. On Friday, staffers received an email from Ripa saying that she would come back to work on Tuesday.

In the meantime, she got apologies from Strahan and ABC boss Ben Sherwood, among others, for how the “GMA” affair was handled and for not telling her sooner.

Also Read: The Evolution of Michael Strahan, From NFL Star to Morning TV Host (Photos)

“They talked over the weekend,” a source close to the show, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said of Ripa and Strahan. “I think Kelly appreciated the apology.”

Tuesday morning, it may be Ripa’s turn to apologize. The cohost intends to say she’s sorry to fans who were puzzled by her absence and the attendant backstage drama, according to the insider.

Fans of the cohosts may want to savor their remaining days together. Buzz on the “Live” set is that Strahan’s exit, initially timed for sometime this summer, could happen as early as next month, to take advantage of the May “sweeps” ratings period.

The End of 'Live With Kelly and Michael': A Timeline (Photos)

There's been a lot of drama at ABC over the departure of Michael Strahan from "Live with Kelly and Michael" and the search for a replacement. Kelly Ripa has been part of the network for nearly three decades.

Also Read: The Evolution of Michael Strahan, From NFL Star to Morning TV Host (Photos)
ABC
Kelly Ripa has been a part of the ABC morning talk show block for 15 years, replacing Kathie Lee Gifford as Regis Philbin's co-host on "Live!" in February 2001.
ABC
After Philbin ended his 28-year run on the show, former NFL star Michael Strahan was picked to join Ripa on "Live!" in September 2012.
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In their nearly four-year run together, Michael & Kelly raised the show's ratings by 8 percent compared to the last four seasons of "Live With Regis and Kelly."
ABC
On April 19, it was revealed without Ripa's prior knowledge that Strahan would leave "Live!" this summer to join "Good Morning America" as co-anchor. Strahan had been appearing on "GMA" twice a week since 2014.
ABC
A source told TheWrap there had been friction between Ripa and the rest of the "Live!" team. "Kelly has been very moody and emotional the past couple of years and Strahan was dreading going to work," the source said.
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Strahan formally announced his departure from "Live!" on air April 20, but Ripa did not host the episode. A spokesperson for the show did not elaborate on the reasons for Ripa's no-show.
ABC
Over the weekend, Ripa reportedly spoke with Strahan and ABC president Ben Sherwood, who apologized for not telling Ripa about the "GMA" move sooner.
Getty Images
On April 26, Ripa returned to "Live!" for the first time since Strahan's announcement and thanked the show's fans for their support. "Our national nightmare is over," she joked.
ABC
ABC also announced that Strahan's final "Live!" episode would be moved up from September to May to take advantage of "sweeps" week.
ABC
On May 13, Strahan said farewell to "Live!" "I am happy. I am not six feet under," he said. "Six feet, five inches above the ground. So I'm happy. It's another day."

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Michael Strahan’s transition from Kelly Ripa’s co-host to ”Good Morning America“ co-anchor has been sudden and turbulent

There's been a lot of drama at ABC over the departure of Michael Strahan from "Live with Kelly and Michael" and the search for a replacement. Kelly Ripa has been part of the network for nearly three decades.

Also Read: The Evolution of Michael Strahan, From NFL Star to Morning TV Host (Photos)

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The End of 'Live With Kelly and Michael': A Timeline (Photos)

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