The camaraderie on ABC’s LIVE was a sham: Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa could not stand each other’
‘Kelly and Michael’s relationship was all for show and off-camera the two only spoke to one another through their reps’
- Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan’s relationship over the past four years has all been for show according to a source close to Ripa
- ‘They could not stand each other, and whenever they communicated off-camera, it was always through their reps,’ there was tension between Ripa and Strahan during commercial breaks
- Ripa and Live producer Michael Gellman felt blindsided when Strayhan told them Tuesday he was quitting the show to go to GMA in September
- Ripa has not appeared on the show since Strahan told her the news, and cancelled a planned trip to Turks and Caicos this weekend …Multiple sources at ABC say Ripa was refusing to turn up to work until Strahan leaves the show.
‘…the PR wars continue on both sides as sources close to Ripa reveal her angst with abc, she was blindsided by both the network and Strayhan, who ‘scooped’ up roles outside the show which she had turned down. She is feeling betrayed, while the powers in the network and staff of LIVE feel she is acting like a spoilt diva’
Page Six spoke to a source close to Ripa who claims that the two were not at all friendly, saying; ‘They could not stand each other, and whenever they communicated off-camera, it was always through their reps.’
The source added that the relationship ‘was all for show’ and claimed Strahan’s busy work schedule caused the former football star to throw ‘temper tantrums’ at times, during which he would scream at Ripa.
Perry and Caroline Williams, who were at Monday’s taping of the show, and said that there did appear to be tension between Ripa and Satrahan. The couple said the co-hosts appeared warm and friendly with each other at first until an audience member shouted out during the commercial break; ‘Kelly, would you like to sign Michael’s book for me?’
The host responded by awkwardly looking through the woman and did not speak a word according to the couple, who added that the the female audience member remarked after the incident; ‘I guess that won’t be happening then.’
One day later, Strahan told Ripa he was quitting the show.
Phonies: Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan’s relationship (insert) over the past four years has all been for show according to a source close to Ripa. (Main photo) Happier times with Regis
Bad timing: Strahan was spotted hitting the gym with girlfriend Kayla Quick on Wednesday in New York City
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)
Ripa, 41, took the week off from work and cancelled a planned trip to Turks and Caicos in celebration of her 20th anniversary to husband Mark Consuelos after being blindsided by the news that Strahan would be leaving Live and taking a job at Good Morning America come September.
The network’s decision to move Strahan, 44, comes two years after he first began appearaing 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 claimed 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.
‘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.
The feud between the two has left many divided, including the show’s staff and Ripa’s former co-host Regis Philbin. ‘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,’ Philbin told People earlier this week as he congratulated Strahan on his new gig.
‘Now he’s moving on to Good Morning America. Next stop could be Washington.’ He then told TMZ on Thursday however that he did not agree with the way the network handled the situation with Ripa, saying; ‘They should have told her in the beginning.’
Meanwhile, multiple sources close to the show said 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. 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.
A source 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.’
Sensing it: Perry and Caroline Williams, who were at Monday’s show (above), said that there was tension between Ripa and Strahan during commercial breaks
Filling in: Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer (above) filled in for Ripa on Wednesday
Double duty: The program tapes the live show and a second show to air on Friday morning each Thursday. Filling in for Ripa for both tapings was another popular ABC personality – Erin Andrews (above)
Double duty: The program tapes the live show and a second show to air on Friday morning each Thursday. Filling in for Ripa for both tapings was another popular ABC personality – Erin Andrews (above)
Ripa remains quiet on the subject, with the fact that she was told the news just before her much anticipated vacation making an already tense situation ever worse according to multiple sources.
Strahan on the other hand 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, producer Michael Gellman 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.’ She then informed executives that she would not be at work on Wednesday. She will be out again on Monday and it is still not clear when she returned.
No love lost: ‘They could not stand each other, and whenever they communicated off-camera, it was always through their reps,’ said a source close to Ripa about the pair’s relationship (Ripa above on Thursday carrying the book David and Goliath)
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