Ripa will be off the ABC morning talk show until at least Monday, but a source denies that she tries to avoid the show until Strahan's departure.
- Apr 21, 2016
AceShowbiz - Is Kelly Ripa very mad over Michael Strahan's impending departure? After report that she was "livid" because Disney honchos didn't give her an advance warning about Strahan's exit, she was mysteriously off "Live! with Kelly and Michael" on Wednesday, April 20. "Kelly's off today," Strahan simply said as he was joined by "Saturday Night Live" alum Ana Gasteyer who filled in for Ripa.
A show spokesperson confirms that Ripa will be absent until at least Monday due to "a previously-scheduled vacation." Fox Sports personality and "Dancing with the Stars" co-host Erin Andrews will serve as a guest co-host on Thursday and Friday, while "Pretty Little Liars" star Shay Mitchell will step up for Monday's program.
Meanwhile, Strahan took time to address his exit. "It's the same channel. I'm not going anywhere. I was reading some stuff, and it sounded like I died!" he said, adding, "I'm always available to guest co-host if I get a call. Because I consider myself to be part of this family forever."
He also thanked Ripa, saying, "She has been an amazing influence on me, and this has truly changed my life to be here with her."
Following Ripa's absence on Wednesday, there's rumor that she would be off every single show until Strahan's exit. "She wants to wait and see what happens. She'd also like someone to do the right thing and speak to her face-to-face rather than plot and plan behind her back," a source told Daily Mail.
Gossip Cop debunked the report though, citing another "source close to the situation" as stating that the claim about Ripa refusing to come back until Strahan is gone is simply "not true." The site further stresses that she's not boycotting her own talk show.
