Kelly Ripa returned Tuesday to “Live With Kelly and Michael” and relayed assurances that Disney/ABC remains committed to her syndicated program.
Ripa was greeted with a lengthy standing ovation by the audience at ABC’s studio on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She had been absent from the show since it was announced that her co-host, Michael Strahan, is leaving to join the network’s “Good Morning America.”
Part of that hiatus was a planned vacation, but her unexpected departure turned the breezy chat show into a backstage drama. Ripa told “Live” staffers Friday that she would be back, but Tuesday’s program was the first time she addressed the matter publicly.
“I am fairly certain there are trained professional snipers with tranquilizer darts in case I drift too far off message,” she said in her opening remarks.
Ripa was said to be angry that Disney/ABC executives did not inform her of plans to move Strahan to “GMA” until shortly before it was made public. Strahan, who became Ripa’s “Live” co-host in 2012, is joining “GMA” full time in September.
“I needed a couple of days to gather my thoughts,” she said. “After 26 years with this company I earned the right. And let’s be honest, I know half of you called in sick to be here and we get each other.”
Without being specific about her conversations with Disney/ABC management, she said the incident spurred a larger conversation about “communication, consideration and most importantly respect in the workplace.” She said she believes the company supports “Live” going forward.
“Apologies have been made,” said Ripa. “Our parent company has assured me that ‘Live’ is a priority. There is a commitment to the show, and to the people who have worked here and most importantly to you the viewers who have watched us every day for 30 years.”
Ripa, who stood alone on camera during her remarks, said she was “thrilled” for Strahan.
“I couldn’t be and we couldn’t be prouder of you and everything we accomplished together,” she said.
The Strahan move has been seen as effort to revive the ratings of “GMA,” which is a massive revenue generator for the ABC Television Network. The program has fallen behind NBC’s “Today” in the 25- to 54-age group, which is the audience advertisers seek to reach with news programming.
There have been rumors for years that ABC wants to expand “Good Morning America” to a third hour. But “Live,” which airs at 9 a.m. on most of the stations that carry it, including ABC-owned stations, has been seen as an obstacle to such an idea.
“Live” is the second most watched syndicated talk show on television.
