Insiders rip her ‘diva’ behavior as she took the day off in a huff

‘“Kelly’s off today, and filling in for Kelly is Ana Gasteyer,” Strahan introduced the “Saturday Night Live” alum

TV industry insiders are ripping Ripa’s “diva” reaction to her co-host flying the coop.
Kelly Ripa — who threw a “fit” after Michael Strahan and network brass surprised her with news he had accepted a high-profile “Good Morning America” gig — put “Live!” producers in a jam when she took a surprise “sick day” Wednesday, sources told the Daily News.
“Saturday Night Live” alum Ana Gasteyer stepped up after show staff scrambled to find a replacement. Strahan, in his first on-air appearance since news of his departure broke Tuesday, even praised Ripa at the end of the show.
Insiders are “stunned by her behavior,” they told The News on Wednesday.
“She is acting like a child, a diva and hurting her reputation with this sort of behavior,” one said. “It makes her look bad and makes all the horrible rumors about her bad attitude off camera seem true.”
Former “SNL” star Ana Gasteyer filled in alongside Michael Strahan Wednesday after Ripa took a “sick day.” ABC

Former “SNL” star Ana Gasteyer filled in alongside Michael Strahan Wednesday after Ripa took a “sick day.”

Ripa may have been “shocked” by the announcement, as previously reported by The News, but insiders said Strahan had given bosses “several months’ notice.”
“This whole blindsiding thing is nonsense. He got a great job offer and took it — same as anyone else would,” a source said.
The retired Giants star announced Tuesday afternoon that he would leave “Live!” soon to make his two-day-a-week “Good Morning America” stint full-time.
But Ripa and their boss Michael Gelman apparently only learned the news in a sit-down meeting, first reported by TMZ, after the live show wrapped up that morning.

Photo: David M. Russell/Disney ABC
Ripa and Strahan in happier times.

“They were shocked,” a source told The News. “They were surprised.”
Though Strahan wasn’t required to attend, he did out of “respect” for Ripa, an insider said.
This isn’t the first time Ripa, 45, has been burned by a TV husband. Daytime television king Regis Philbin, who co-hosted “Live!” with her for more than a decade, broke news of his departure just 15 minutes before they went on air, sources told The News at the time.
Philbin has high hopes for Strahan.
“Years ago I interviewed Michael Strahan on my show, and I asked him what he will do when he leaves the Giants. He said, ‘I want your job,’ and years later he got it. Now he’s moving on to GMA. Next stop could be Washington,” he said in a statement to The News.
Strahan will begin his new “GMA” gig in September, the network said Tuesday.

STRAHAN’S ‘LIVE’ REPLACEMENT: THE NEWS’ SHORTLIST
complied by The New YorkDaily News
The Daily News has compiled a short list of potential replacements — in no specific order:
Snoop Dog
He’s one of the best talk show guests, so when is someone going to give him a shot at hosting?

Jeff Probst
He’s been the host of CBS’ hit reality show, “Survivor” since 2000, but has also shown a flair for working with Ripa and frequently filled in when Phibin was away.

Chris Harrison
As the host of “The Bachelor,” he’s already in the ABC family and was among the handful of men who nearly got the job last time Kelly was looking for a co-host.

Rich Fury/Invision/AP
Neil Patrick Harris has proven himself to be great on live televsion. 

Neil Patrick Harris
He’s got the chops. He’s good on live television and nearly snagged the job last time. Aside from his disastrous NBC variety show last year, NPH is a virtual Swiss Army Knife when it comes to performing.

Billy Bush
So what if he already works for NBC? Contracts are meant to be broken. Bush has also proven that he’s got good chemistry with Ripa, sitting in many times as her co-host. As the co-host of “Access Hollywood” and later “Access Hollywood Live,” he knows showbiz inside and out.

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