Kelly Ripa Co-Host: Is Fred Savage Out Of The ‘Live’ Running?
Kelly Ripa’s co-host selection is close to being revealed on her Live with Kelly morning show. Is former child star Fred Savage, previously considered a favorite for the spot, now ineligible to sit beside Kelly as permanent co-host? The vacant position has been filled by guest hosts since former co-host Michael Strahan left Ripa in May.
As reported by The Wrap, Kelly Ripa’s co-host choice of Fred Savage may run into trouble due to his recent overall deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television. Since Live with Kelly is a production of ABC, would this cause a conflict with Savage as Ripa’s permanent co-host? The Wonder Years star was deemed a shoo-in for the gig by anxious fans who have seen Kelly sit beside recent fill-ins such as Taye Diggs and Watch What Happens Live‘s Andy Cohen.
Thankfully, The Wrap assures us that this is not the case. Kelly Ripa’s permanent co-host may very well be revealed as Mr. Savage when the decision is announced prior to the start of Ripa’s new Live season this September. For his part, Fred seems to enjoy being a co-host on the show. Telling Entertainment Tonight that he loves “interacting with the audience” and “sitting beside Kelly,” he added that the program’s dedicated workforce are top-notch.
“The team at the show are just total pros — Kelly’s amazing,” […] “The whole staff is just fantastic.”
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Michael Strahan served as Kelly Ripa’s co-host on the show for more than three years. His unexpected move to Good Morning America this spring appeared to be a point of contention between Kelly and the retired football player. As the pair’s ongoing friction was extensively covered in the press, Ripa started hosting Live sans Strahan starting on May 16.
In the midst of the co-host confusion, People published an exclusive interview with Ripa where she described being “hurt” by Strahan’s sudden exit. She told the magazine that the Super Bowl champion’s resignation was hidden from her until the final moment, hearing the news the same time as the media.
When Strahan’s withdrawal as Kelly Ripa’s co-host blindsided the former Hope & Faith star, she described the familial shroud of hospitableness obscuring the difficult decision.
“[A]fter 26 years, at this point we are like a family. And sometimes when you are so comfortable with somebody, you may not give them the same consideration as somebody you’re not as comfortable with — a certain formality falls away.”
“I’m looking forward to moving to Good Morning America full-time, but I loved being at Live,” […] “It’s a great show, great people and I’m very fortunate to have been a part of it.”
Frequent watchers of Live now wait with bated breath for Kelly Ripa’s co-host to be announced later this summer. Apart from Savage, viewers have also voiced their approval of Ripa’s contemporary guest co-hosts such as singer Josh Groban, auto racer Jeff Gordon, and Extra‘s Mario Lopez.
Check out Live with Kelly next week to see Kelly Ripa’s guest co-hosts. Journalist and television personality Anderson Cooper is joining Ripa on Monday, August 1, and Tuesday, August 2, and Frozen voice actor and Broadway star Josh Gad is joining as co-host on Wednesday and Thursday, August 3 and 4. Former Jessica Simpson beau and 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey finishes out the week as co-host with Ripa on Friday, August 5.
Kelly's guest co-hosts the week of August 1st. @andersoncooper @joshgad @NickLachey #LiveKellycohost pic.twitter.com/xz69yZZied
— LIVEKellyRyan (@LiveKellyRyan) July 27, 2016
Actor Jerry O’Connell is back as Kelly’s guest co-host this Friday morning, July 29.
Who would be your pick to be Kelly Ripa’s co-host on Live? Let us know your choice in the comments section below!
[Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images]
