Kelly Ripa: New Co-Host Surprise? A ‘Big Announcement’ Teased For Wednesday

Will Kelly Ripa’s new co-host be revealed on Wednesday morning? At the end of Tuesday’s Live with Kelly broadcast, Ripa teased that a “big announcement” will be made known on the Live show for Wednesday, September 7. Kelly’s guest co-host for Tuesday’s program was Boyz n the Hood actor Morris Chestnut; he will also return to co-host the anticipated Wednesday morning telecast. Is Chestnut going to be announced as Ripa’s next co-host?

In a report from People on Tuesday, a Kelly Ripa co-host announcement was posited by the weekly entertainment magazine as possibly being the “big announcement” Ripa has up her sleeve for Wednesday’s show. The publication contemplated Kelly’s surprise as a conceivable disclosure of her choice for new co-host while recounting the speculation surrounding Ripa’s many recent guest co-hosts as probable picks for the Live with Kelly co-host spot.

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In the aforementioned article, People magazine went on to quote a source close to the show that summarized Kelly and her crew’s work ethic while enduring this summer’s many guest co-hosts for Ripa on the Live program.

“While it’s true that Michael leaving made for a much more grueling summer for everyone because of the additional work required to prep a new co-host every day, the whole staff has actually bonded over it. The environment is really positive because of the work they’ve been doing.”

As shown in the below Live with Kelly tweet, any new Kelly Ripa co-host would have to wait until Neil Patrick Harris is done with his Live co-host turn at the end of next week. Could Kelly possibly be revealing her new co-host this early? Current conjecture places Ripa’s co-host announcement closer to November’s television sweeps schedule.

Kelly's guest co-hosts week of September 5th & 12th! #LiveKelly #LiveKellyCohost pic.twitter.com/BpBMhvFIkX

— KellyMarkLive (@kellymarklive) August 24, 2016

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Ripa was recently named executive producer of her Live with Kelly show. The behind-the-scenes promotion of Ripa was theorized among many as a business move by ABC to smooth-over any hard feelings between Kelly and the television network. Ripa was reportedly blindsided this spring by former co-host Michael Strahan’s withdrawal from Live to join fellow ABC show Good Morning America.

Morris Chestnut, as forenamed, went Live with Kelly on Tuesday to promote his new movie, When the Bough Breaks. The film, a psychological thriller directed by CHiPs ’99‘s Jon Cassar, also stars Regina Hall, Jaz Sinclair, and Theo Rossi. When the Bough Breaks opens nationwide this Friday, September 9.

Maybe Morris would make a good co-host for Ripa — as he told The Source, he credits his longevity in Hollywood to his affable working demeanor and ability to get along with his many entertainment workmates. Perhaps a television and movie star as polite and easy-going as Mr. Chestnut could serve as the co-host antithesis to Michael Strahan (and his curt exit) for Ms. Ripa on the beloved Live program.

“You have to be courteous and respectful of the people you work with. When you’re around people 14 hours a day, you don’t want to create tension friction or conflict. You don’t want to become known for being difficult to work with.”

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Regardless, many Live with Kelly fans will remain on the edge of their seats until her new Live partner is revealed. Now that Kelly Ripa is executive producer of her own show, it seems quite possible that Kelly will extended this summer’s Live guest-hosting schedule at her whim.

What “big announcement” do you think is in store for Wednesday morning’s Live with Kelly show? Are you expecting Ripa to announce her new co-host at that time? What would you think if Morris Chestnut was revealed to be Kelly’s next Live co-host? Perhaps Ripa’s announcement will simply advertise a new Live contest or promotional giveaway. Let us know your thoughts on Kelly Ripa’s surprise in the comments section below.

[Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]