Kelly Ripa Doesn"t Host "Live!" After Michael Strahan"s Departure is Announced
Michael Strahan is "looking forward" to having Kelly Ripa back on Live as the ABC star returns to the show on Tuesday after a weeklong absence.
"He never wanted any of this to happen," a source told People Magazine.
The source added that even though Strahan understood why she was mad "it was out of his control".
"He spent the last few days reaching out because he wanted her to come back."
The news comes just a day after a source close to Ripa told DailyMail.com that the star would be returning to Live alongside Strahan after a rancorous week that left her blindsided by the news that her co-host would be quitting the show and taking a job at Good Morning America.
The source told People that Strahan "was prepared to go on by himself if he had to, but he is relieved that it all worked out".
Scroll down for video
Michael Strahan is "looking forward" to having Kelly Ripa back on Live as the ABC star returns to the show on Tuesday after a weeklong absence
A source told People Magazine that Strahan "never wanted any of this to happen". The source added that even though Strahan understood why Ripa was mad "it was out of his control"
Sources close to the ABC star confirmed Friday that she would be joining Strahan on Tuesday, just a week after she took time off from work and cancelled a planned trip to Turks and Caicos in celebration of her 20th anniversary to husband Mark Consuelos
Ripa took time off from work and canceled a planned trip to Turks and Caicos in celebration of her 20th anniversary to husband Mark Consuelos.
Her highly anticipated return comes after both sides traded blows through media after news of Strahan"s desertion was announced earlier this week.
Ripa"s absence worried bosses at ABC who are still concerned that she could "go rogue" when she returns to work on Tuesday.
According to Page Six, as of FridayRipa was still refusing to take calls from executives at the networks - still furious after learning she was being "overshadowed" by her co-anchor Strahan.
The fear is that she could "do an Ann Curry" and turn on her on-screen partner, poisoning the on-air chemistry between them for months to come.
People Magazinereported that Ripa sent an email to her staff late Friday night saying:"I wanted to thank you all for giving me the time to process this new information.
"Your kindness, support, and love has overwhelmed me. We are a family and I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday morning. Love, Kelly."
Earlier reports suggested that Ripa could have faced a lawsuit or legal letter from ABC if she didn"t return on Tuesday.
"She could get a letter this weekend saying she"s required to turn up to work under her contract, and if she doesn"t show up, she"ll face being sued for damages, such as lost ad revenue," a source told PageSix.
Earlier reports suggested that Ripa could have faced a lawsuit or legal letter from ABC if she didn"t return on Tuesday
As of Friday,Ripa was still refusing to take calls from executives at the networks - still furious after learning she was being "overshadowed" by her co-anchor Strahan (pictured in New York City)
Multiple sources close to Ripa told DailyMail.com earlier this week that she had initially been offered that slot on GMA a few years ago, but turned it down
But an ABC representative denied the case of any legal letter saying the notion is "completely ridiculous and totally false".
ABC executives are; however, worried that Ripa will go rogue upon her return as she still wasn"t taking calls from Strahan or anyone from ABC as of Friday, according to PageSix.
Page Sixspoke to a source close to Ripa, 45, who claimed Strahan"s nonstop work commitments caused the former football star to throw "temper tantrums" at work, during which he would scream at Ripa and the show"s longtime producer, Michael Gellman.
The source added; "He acted like he was in a locker room, not a dressing room."
The source also said of the relationship between Ripa and Strahan, who by all appearances seemed to be good friends both on and off the set: "They could not stand each other, and whenever they communicated off-camera, it was always through their reps."
The network"s decision to move Strahan, 44, comes two years after he first began appearing on GMA in a limited capacity, showing up two days a week and leaving early so he could make it back to Live in time for their 9am taping.
Multiple sources close to Ripa told DailyMail.com earlier this week that she had initially been offered that slot on GMA a few years ago, but turned it down.
"Two years ago Kelly was offered Michael"s current role of contributor to Good Morning America. She turned this down as she was committed to Live and didn"t want to give less to the show that she had been focused on for well over ten years and then kept a ratings winner after Regis left," said one source close to the popular morning host.
Strahan was spotted hitting the gym with girlfriend Kayla Quick on Wednesday in New York City
Strahan broke the news that he was leaving a day after Monday"s show (above)
Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer (above) filled in for Ripa on Wednesday
"Michael then scooped up the role and started saying yes to everything ABC and Disney had to offer.
"Kelly felt that her and Michael Gelman, Live"s Executive Producer, were left to be the only two people solely focused on the show."
The source went on to say; "This began creating tensions internally as Kelly and Michael Gelman were having to work to Michael"s schedule as Live become less of a priority for him.
"Kelly isn"t shocked that he did this as she"s watched him advance his career off Live"s success for years now, she is just disgusted and angry that he did this behind her back with her bosses."
Multiple sources close to the show told DailyMail.com that the staff feel they too have been "blindsided" by a boss who made the decision to just stop showing up for her job.
"They feel like Michael"s taking the high road but Kelly"s the one who blindsided them by not showing up for work," said one source.
"The feeling is that how she"s acting is deeply selfish."
The source went on to say; "Staff are upset that she"s not there. They are pulling a double shift today while she"s left them in the lurch after her tantrum."
The program tapes the live show and a second show to air on Friday morning each Thursday.
Double duty:The program tapes the live show and a second show to air on Friday morning each Thursday. Filling in for Ripa for Thursday"s live show was another popular ABC personality - Erin Andrews (above)
Back in action: And it was Andrews who was picked to tape the second segment on Thursday, which aired Friday morning (above)
Filling in for Ripa for both tapings was another popular ABC personality - Dancing With the Stars host Erin Andrews.
Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer filled in on Wednesday and Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell will guest co-host Monday.
Asource close to Ripa told a different story, saying; "Live staffers are upset. Kelly has been inundated with calls and messages from the team.
"They blame Disney management and want her to come back to work as they see her as the star of the show who also has their back."
Strahan talked about his new job during Wednesday"s Live show and then again next day during an appearance on Good Morning America.
He made a point to praise Ripa on both occasions, a wise decision given the fact that she reportedly did not hide her anger upon learning the news on Tuesday.
The New York Times revealed what happened when Strahan broke the news to Ripa, Gelman and WABC general manager Dave Davis earlier this week.
The group was informed of the meeting at the last second on Tuesday and waited 20 minutes for Strahan to arrive.
Ripa said to Davis after Strahan told them he would be leaving; "Didn"t I tell you this was going to happen? I told you two years ago this was going to happen."
Gone girl: Ripa emerged for the first time since learning he co-host was quitting on Thursday, getting into a car outside her Upper East Side townhouse with husband Mark Consuelos (above)
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3555893/Michael-Strahan-says-looking-forward-having-Kelly-Ripa-Live-never-wanted-happen.html
